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Problems Getting my 8 to 9 Hours of Sleep

by Jonathan
(North Miami)

I need serious help, i haven't been able to sleep good since 8th grade till now i am about to graduate. I never had any problems coming up as a child, I am suffering from deep sleep deprivation, and i desperately need my hours back.


I have changed dramatically over these past couple of years. I act in a way thats not normal, i have not been able to function like i used to, it feels though as if im brain dead, it feel like im suffering from suffication to my brain, ITS ALSO HARD TO DESCRIBE EVERYTHING I AM GOING THREW, I NEVER EXPERIENCE SUCH DRAMATIC CHANGES IN MY LIFE OVER SLEEP, I CANT FUNCTION THE SAME WAY AS I USED TO, EVERYDAY I AM IN PAIN, I HAVE HEADACHES, I HAVE LOST MEMORIES, CANT SEEM TO REMEMBER WHAT JUST HAPPEN AT ALL, CANT REMEMBER MY CHILDHOOD, I CANT SLEEP AT ALL, I DONT FEEL RESTED AT ALL, IM NOT EVEN READY AT ALL TO START MY DAY, IVE BEEN DEPRESSED CANT SEEM TO COPE WITH LIFE, IVE BEEN VERY PARANORMAL, I SEE THINGS THAT ARE NOT THERE, I CANT SEEMED TO CONTROL MY STRESS, AND WHEN U LOOK AT ME I DONT LOOK LIKE WHAT I USED TO BE I DONT FEEL THE SAME, I DONT FEEL HAPPY, CANT SEEM TO CONTROL ANYTHING, I BEEN THREW A LOT OF THINGS I HOPE NOBODY WILL EXPERIENCE. I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP I CANT FUNCTION OR THINK THE SAME WAY AS I USED I CANT FEEL HAPPY ABOUT LIFE OR CONFIDENT

Comments for Problems Getting my 8 to 9 Hours of Sleep

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Apr 29, 2011
 sleep
by: Lynn

Johnathon:
It's amazing to me you have continued going to school all through this difficult period. I don't know how you do it. I have read Dr. Dement's book (founder of the Stanford Sleep Center). From what he writes, almost everything you describe is due to sleep deprivation - but you already know that. You definitely need help with this - get some help right away. Somethings we cannot solve on our own - that's why human beings live in communities and not alone. Make a list of 5 people you will go to and go to each one until you get the help you need - I suggest your school counsellor, definitely your Dr., a community clinic - where ever there is someone you trust who has some ability to help. Tell them everything you write about here. It is important to do it now while you are young. I had sleep problems starting as a teen and I didn't get help. Now that I am must older these problems are harder to get rid of. When you are young, I think it's easier to deal with sleep issues. You can also do some research on your own as to how you can sleep better. Blessings, Lynn
Apr 29, 2011
 8 to 9 hours sleep deprevation
by: Anonymous

lynn, I tried telling my counsler at school but no help, i have no insurance to even begin with, ive never had it, and its really hard in this situation when im not even used to this, I react in ways where its hard for people to even believe what im going threw, its only if somebody could be in my shoes to feel how i feel, words are easy to explain butt cant feel my deep depression and im only 18, about to turn 19 next month, i used to have no problems learning things but it seems like the older i get its not even getting beyond better, u dont understand how hard it is for me to function, its even hard for me to think, and this is funny to me because ive never been threw this
Jul 06, 2011
 Hope To Help Your Chronic Sleep Deprivation
by: Kevin Morton

Hey Jonathan, thanks for writing in and sharing your story. Let me see if I can offer anything helpful.

As the commenter above stated, circadian rhythms are a large factor in determining when and how long you can sleep, since they control the timing of when your body releases certain hormones that stimulate sleep or alertness. Bright light therapy is the best way to adjust your own rhythms. I've got some articles on circadian rhythms and bright light coming out soon, but in the meantime, our article on DSP is our best alternative and may be able to provide you with some useful info:

http://www.end-your-sleep-deprivation.com/delayed-sleep-phase-syndrome.html

Also, chronic sleep deprivation like you describe is often the result of a sleep disorder the sufferer does not know about. Care to describe a typical night's (or day's) "sleep"? Maybe we can pinpoint something that may raise flags for a sleep disorder.

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Welcome! This site is continuously being created by students of Dr. William C. Dement's Sleep And Dreams course at Stanford University.

We made this site as a call to action for people all over the world to live healthier, happier, safer, and more productive lives by learning about their own sleep. We have faith that reading the information provided on this site will motivate you to be smart about your sleep deprivation and strategic about your alertness in order to live life to your fullest, most energetic potential.

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