Sleeping issues...

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I was reading how those with autism tend to have problems sleeping, like said here: http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/helpi ... ghts-sleep I'm only going an whim and saying that this is what we ALL go through, right?

Anyway, my problem is that I can't sleep. I get sleepy and I get tired but once I lay down my mind is thinking otherwise. Its hard for me to fall asleep... and I've tried everything. Sleeping aids, watching TV (it can be calming), music... and nothing. I can't sleep in darkness because I am afraid of the dark.

I figured it fit under health since sleep deals a lot with that in general but I'm staying up late, and whenever I do sleep, I'm waking up again and going back to sleep. Often times, I will get a snack, then go back to bed.

What can you suggest? And might I mention that I have high functioning autism, ADHD (on concerta) and have very severe anxiety...

Just saying that's exactly what I'm like, too. 0.0

The only thing that seems to help me is imagining something repetitive, although that only works half the time (but it's better than nothing!! !). e.g. Two people dancing the same dancing, killing splicers [Bioshock ] over and over again, etc.

Watch something boring on TV. I would suggest championship golf

Yes, many of us have sleeping problems - lower levels of melatonin, over-active minds, hyper-focusing so loosing track of time, etc.

Firstly deal with your sleep hygiene;
- Fix a bedtime and an awakening time.
- Get a routine before getting yourself to bed.
- Exercise regularly, but just not before bed.
- No napping during the day or lie-ins in the mornings.
- No TV or music - try reading a favourite book instead.
- Do not do anything other than sleep (and um...) in bed.
- Use ambient lighting - bright light will make brain think it's daytime, not time to sleep.
- Avoid meals before bed, a light snack with milk and/or banana will help, no caffeine.
- Avoid heavy, spicy or caffeinated foods/drinks for a few hours before bed.
- Write down worries before bed, if your brain chatters get up and write that down too.
- Dedicate a few hours before bed to winding down, try meditation or a bath.
- Take a hot bath so drop in temperature can promote sleep, maybe add lavender oil.
- Keep room cool and well ventilated will help aid sleep.
- Check your diet, and try magnesium and calcium supplements.

You've taken sleeping aids - which ones?
Most sleeping pills available here are rubbish, if you've not already then try Melatonin, 5HTP, or valerian root.

More general ideas that may help;
masturbation, relaxation techniques, aromatherapy, acupressure techniques, herbal teas such as chamomile or lemon balm, breathing techniques, check with your doctor for possible causes other than AS, nice comfortable bed with fresh sheets, get rid of any clutter in your bedroom, smoke pot, count sheep, white noise, BrainWave Generator, Emotional Freedom Technique.

Associate calming thoughts/feelings to touching a certain finger (can't remember the name of this technique), couple-up with this - http://naturalliving.livejournal.com/534099.html - I find this is a good way for me to counter-act the brain chatter problem. Also if you do find you're laying in bed and your mind is still chatting away to itself, get out of bed - don't lay there for hours, if you're not asleep within an hour get up, do something like read or write-down thoughts, then try to go to bed again.

I've had this problem all my life. Sometimes I'd be thinking too much, the other half of the time I'd be very tired, lay down, close my eyes, stop thinking completely and.........nothing that was supposed to happen happened, I'd just lay there awake until I got restless and had to get back up.

The only thing that's worked for me, and without side effects, is melatonin. Also I had an acquaintance recommend Lipotrophin PM which seems to help the quality of sleep once I get to sleep, apparently a lot of body builders use it for similar reasons.

If you drink coffee, sodas or certain teas during the day you may have to stop by noon.
For me hot coffee at bed time makes me more sleepy, every ones body reacts differently.

Melatonin works well for me, but what REALLY improved my quality of sleep is a little gadget I got from a mail order catalogue...Miles Kimball, I think it was. The device fits under and around the bottom of your mattress at the foot of the bed, and when it's put into place, it keeps the covers off your feet! I think it's meant for people who have painful feet (gout, etc.) or other injuries, but for some reason, not having the covers on my feet has improved the quality of my sleep enormously. You can collapse it during the day so you can make your bed and the bed will look normal. When we're getting ready for bed, my husband (NT) says "oh, you're putting your Nerd Tent up now!" I don't care how it looks...I just LOVE how I feel in the morning!

stay away from this stuff. It's not healthy.