What's responsible for this?

[typesomething]

<p>Hi! First of all thanks for reading this and I hope it won't be very long. I just want to figure out what if anything is wrong with me at this point and what I should do next.</p>

<p>A brief background:
-A rising sophomore with considerable aid at a reputed college. Was a good enough student during high school and teachers didn't usually have any complaints except almost always to say that "I could do better," "need to work harder," or "that I needed to pay more attention." I have almost always had restless leg syndrome(if that matters) and late sleeping habits. During high school I would usually be getting like 5-6 hours of sleep during weekdays and during the gap year that I took I would still be getting similar amount of sleep except that I would be sleeping around 4am every single day.</p>

<p>Moving on to what brought me here:
The first year of college was fine to the most part: received good enough grades(except it got worse in the 2nd sem.), made new friends, etc. But I found myself taking longer than usual to finish up assignments and it wasn't because the assignments was difficult but rather because I would just need to take breaks every half an hour or so. However, more worryingly it got even harder and harder to have proper sleep. They were times when I couldn't fall asleep for 2 days, where I would just be turning around in my bed, completely exhausted, but my mind staying awake with random thoughts just racing away. I would get up in the middle of the night and just decide to walk to a store a mile away just to "get some noodles." I sought help second semester, and eventually, after various failed attempts at improving my sleeping habits, they considered prescribing sleeping pills until they could "evaluate further what was really happening." Considering how it was almost the end of the year I decided not to take the meds and thinking that it was perhaps it was stress causing the problem, I decided to wait it out until the break.</p>

<p>However, even 2 months into the break I can say that the sleeping habits haven't improved; so it definitely isn't "stress." Random thoughts still keep racing through my head when i try to fall asleep, and it usually takes anywhere from 1.5-3 hours(or even longer) to fall asleep. I have tried staying awake whole nights hoping that I will then sleep when I want to the next day and solve everything, but that has failed too. What do, however, seem to help are aspirins, paracetamol tablets and coffee/caffeine drinks (yes, caffeinated drinks usually tend to make me feel sleepy instead of keeping me awake). However, while those things help me sleep, the next day I wake up even more tired and that really isn't helpful. </p>

<p>At this point, I really do not know what to do next, I have tried seeking help, but don't want to rely on sleeping pills, but I seem to have tried almost everything else, none of which has worked effectively. I don't want my grades to get affected by this anymore, and at the very least I want to know what's wrong, or rather what to do next. :&lt;/p>

<p>Thank you so much for reading this! And, any opinion/insight would be appreciated. :)</p>

[milkweed]

<p>Typesomething,</p>

<p>It’s difficult to know what’s responsible for your sleep problem. Here are some thoughts and questions. </p>

<p>Racing thoughts could possibly be a symptom of anxiety or mood issue or hyperthyroidism. [NIMH</a> · What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?](<a href=“http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/what-are-the-symptoms-of-bipolar-disorder.shtml]NIMH”>http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/what-are-the-symptoms-of-bipolar-disorder.shtml). Do you have any physical symptoms (weight loss, muscle tension, tics, anything?)? Do you have excess worrying or “racing thoughts” in the day?</p>

<p>Do you have good sleep hygiene? Take a look at this link on sleep hygiene [Sleep</a> Hygiene | National Sleep Foundation - Information on Sleep Health and Safety](<a href=“http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/ask-the-expert/sleep-hygiene]Sleep”>What Is Sleep Hygiene? | Sleep Foundation)</p>

<p>Do you study or read on your bed? This is a big mistake and can make it difficult to sleep in your bed.</p>

<p>Are you getting adequate exercise? Vigorous exercise (not close to bedtime) helps promote a good night of sleep.</p>

<p>Do you turn off all electronic devices (eg. cell phones) before you try to go to sleep?</p>

<p>I’d stay away from sleeping pills. There are sleep medicine centers that diagnose and treat sleep disorders. If you can’t figure this out by yourself, or with a good physician or counselor, that’s where you should seek help. <a href=“http://www.sleepcenters.org/[/url]”>http://www.sleepcenters.org/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Also take a look at this link on causes of insomnia <a href=“http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-related-problems/insomnia-and-sleep[/url]”>http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-related-problems/insomnia-and-sleep&lt;/a&gt; </p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

[vlines]

<p>typesomething…what milkweed said, except here is an order of importance: </p>

<ol>
<li>“sleep hygeine” learn what it is, and practice it all the time. read about it and find what works for you. Makes a huge difference. Follow milkweeds link.
electronics off (unless a true white noise works, or a relaxation/meditation tape)
same bed/wakeing time
dark room/well ventilated
stop caffeine after 5pm
do not eat after a certian time
do not exercise before bed</li>
<li>sleeping pills are a slippery slope, but consider supplements that may help. Calcium, magnesium, and melatonin. I actually take these at night. None are addicting, none cause a hangover the next day. Might even help your restless leg a little. You can also try chamomile tea- as long as it is caffeine free. Sleepytime actually has a relaxing tea that helps. My son makes it into icetea.<br></li>
<li>Get your thyroid tested</li>
</ol>

<p>You are likely dealing with a normal response to stress and life changes. We all go through these things. BUT, if you can not get your sleep pattern back in order, please see a doctor about it. It could be something that needs more intensive management. Lack of sleep is a huge contributer to many chronic diseases, and can have long term effects. So it is nothing to ignore.</p>

[vlines]

<p>PS, my son, who has ADHD says that caffeine makes him sleepy too. I say BOLOGNA…it might do something else, but it does not make you sleepy. The artifical sweetner in diet sodas might affect you too. Avoid them. Try the other stuff on a regualr basis. And the one thing I forgot to say was DO NOT TAKE A NAP DURING THE DAY!!! You have no idea how many patients I work with tell me that can’t sleep at all at night, then proceed to tell me they are sleeping from 5am-noon, or taking a 4 hour nap mid day.</p>

[typesomething]

<p>Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate it.
Well the thing is, I have gone caffeine-free and through almost everything on the sleep hygiene list milkweed provided with my counselor for several weeks, but they didn’t help much. I do avoid mid-day naps at all costs, just as the counselor suggested. The suggestion for the sleeping pill came after I hadn’t slept for over two days, during which I looked and felt utterly miserable. As for the caffeine and sleep, I do feel tired and groggy after drinking it. I am looking into the sleep centers, and maybe give it a shot again with my counselor in a few days.
Once again, thank you all for the suggestions. :)</p>

[vlines]

<p>Good luck! I am glad that you are seeking help for you sleep issues. Whether it is a physical cause or psychological, getting it treated is important! Sweet dreams!</p>

[happymomof1]

<p>Caffeine is a minor stimulant, and yes this has been demonstrated to have different effect in people with different neurological issues. Many people in the ADD range find that it helps balance out their neuroreceptors so that they are better able to function - just as medically prescriptions for amphetamines do. It should come as no surprise that some people would sleep better with a low dose of caffeine in their system. typesomething might like to try small doses multiple times during the day - think espresso-sized cups of coffee rather than a Starbucks veinte.</p>