Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders have become a very common -- and very serious -- cause of academic difficulty in adolescent and young adult students. This is so apparent on college campuses that many universities and colleges have put "Sleep Hygiene" information on their student websites, to encourage sound sleep in adequate amounts.
See for example, the following:
From Harvard University:
https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/why-you-should-make-a-good-nights-sleep-a-priority/
From Stanford University:
https://longevity.stanford.edu/lifestyle/2024/01/10/sleep-and-academic-excellence-a-deeper-look/
From Cornell University: https://health.cornell.edu/resources/health-topics/sleep
From the University of Oregon: https://sleepstudy.uoregon.edu/
Clearly, sleep is an important issue for serious students to consider!! Why? Because not getting enough restful sleep keeps your brain from functioning at its best, and that can cause all kinds of problems. Attention problems are very common in people who don't sleep well -- and this can have nothing at all to do with ADHD, but it can look and feel quite similar! If sleep deprivation goes on too long, it can affect memory, increase vulnerability to depression, and even undermine physical health.
Sleep disorders can show up at any age, and symptoms of a sleep disorder should always be discussed with your doctor. But what do we mean by a "sleep disorder"?
There are many, many reasons why a person might not get enough restful, restorative sleep. Some people have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, which is called Insomnia. Others have upsetting nightmares. Still others sleep through the night, yet still wake up feeling tired. Breathing-related sleep disorders can cause people to briefly stop breathing, waking them briefly, over and over, throughout the night. Movement disorders can lead to a failure of the normal "shutdown" of motor activity during sleep, leading to "restless legs", sleep-walking, sleep-talking, etc. Very irregular sleep-related habits (often called "poor sleep hygiene") can also, over time, cause real difficulties. Some medications (both prescribed and over-the-counter) can cause trouble with sleep, also (but, please do not stop taking any prescribed medication without discussing it with your doctor!!!!). Finally, alcohol is a very, very common cause of sleep disruption. And there are many other potential causes...
If you have had some of these problems, or if someone who has slept in the same room with you has suggested you might, please see your doctor! A sleep medicine specialist may be very helpful in determining why your sleep isn't restful, and how to help you get that important part of your health and well-being back in place.
Sleep disorders have become a very common -- and very serious -- cause of academic difficulty in adolescent and young adult students. This is so apparent on college campuses that many universities and colleges have put "Sleep Hygiene" information on their student websites, to encourage sound sleep in adequate amounts.
See for example, the following:
From Harvard University:
https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/why-you-should-make-a-good-nights-sleep-a-priority/
From Stanford University:
https://longevity.stanford.edu/lifestyle/2024/01/10/sleep-and-academic-excellence-a-deeper-look/
From Cornell University: https://health.cornell.edu/resources/health-topics/sleep
From the University of Oregon: https://sleepstudy.uoregon.edu/
Clearly, sleep is an important issue for serious students to consider!! Why? Because not getting enough restful sleep keeps your brain from functioning at its best, and that can cause all kinds of problems. Attention problems are very common in people who don't sleep well -- and this can have nothing at all to do with ADHD, but it can look and feel quite similar! If sleep deprivation goes on too long, it can affect memory, increase vulnerability to depression, and even undermine physical health.
Sleep disorders can show up at any age, and symptoms of a sleep disorder should always be discussed with your doctor. But what do we mean by a "sleep disorder"?
There are many, many reasons why a person might not get enough restful, restorative sleep. Some people have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, which is called Insomnia. Others have upsetting nightmares. Still others sleep through the night, yet still wake up feeling tired. Breathing-related sleep disorders can cause people to briefly stop breathing, waking them briefly, over and over, throughout the night. Movement disorders can lead to a failure of the normal "shutdown" of motor activity during sleep, leading to "restless legs", sleep-walking, sleep-talking, etc. Very irregular sleep-related habits (often called "poor sleep hygiene") can also, over time, cause real difficulties. Some medications (both prescribed and over-the-counter) can cause trouble with sleep, also (but, please do not stop taking any prescribed medication without discussing it with your doctor!!!!). Finally, alcohol is a very, very common cause of sleep disruption. And there are many other potential causes...
If you have had some of these problems, or if someone who has slept in the same room with you has suggested you might, please see your doctor! A sleep medicine specialist may be very helpful in determining why your sleep isn't restful, and how to help you get that important part of your health and well-being back in place.