I’m not great with details, but I remember reading that many of us in the neurodiverse community struggle with sleep or energy levels.
Back in my early 20s, I went through the whole sleep clinic process. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and mild narcolepsy. They prescribed me a full-face CPAP mask because my mouth doesn’t stay closed at night. That didn’t last long I dumped it after 2 months. I’m not a still sleeper — more like a rotisserie chicken — and the full mask just made me choke on my own drool. The doctors were frustrated and not very helpful. It felt like they expected me to control my body even while unconscious.
Now, over 10 years later, I’m going through the process again. Apparently, my body still isn’t getting enough oxygen during sleep, and it’s causing problems.
Still, I can’t help but wonder if the doctors are missing something — like autism as a potential root cause of sleep issues. In my neurodiverse friend group (both autistic and ADHD), I’m the only one not sleeping 12 or more hours a day. So now I’m left wondering what’s really going on — with me, and with them.
I’m AuDHD and have had pretty bad sleep issues my whole life. My doctors have told me it’s common for people with these diagnoses.
May I ask what kind of sleep issues? Have your doctor said anything like apnea, or narcolepsy, or did they just say it’s a mental health thing?
Mainly problem falling asleep, which I’ve struggled with my whole life. Can’t turn my brain off, can’t really fall asleep easily unmedicated. Has always taken forever to actually fall asleep. Lately I’ve been struggling with poor sleep quality too, with increasing severity over the past 7 years or so. Keep waking up multiple times at night and have trouble getting any deep sleep.
Not sleep apnea as far as I know, or narcolepsy. Probably just a mental health thing.
Good to know. My friends mention the same things though I don’t have that problem as often these days but I wonder if this is the common thing that nerodivergent people face and the cause of sleep issues.
Fyi routine and meditation helped with me, the Finch app is great for keeping me on track.
Low magnesium.
I’m already taking magnesium supplements and have been for a long time.
Interesting, I know that can have an effect on migraines as well. I should ask my doctors about that.
It wouldn’t hurt to get vitamin level blood work done if it’s affordable. My SO had no idea they were severely B12 deficient.
Also, basically everyone has low vitamin D, and it can cause all sorts of issues.
I have been doing that. I also had B12 issues but they assumed it was because I am vegan. It was my hemoglobin levels that concerned the doctor enough to do the study.