Re: Is it possible I don't need so much sleep now?

[Anonymous]

Speaking from some experience since I was recently diagnosed with a sleep disorder, and know a number of people with other sleep disorders, but I’m not a medical professional. I wish my disorder had been properly diagnosed when I first looked into it 20 years ago, it would have made a major difference in the quality of my life. Being properly diagnosed and treated has definitely improved things for me.

From the Harvard link below: “Researchers say that adequate sleep is just as important for health as diet and exercise are, yet we tend to dismiss the need for sleep. The greater the sleep debt (getting less sleep than required), the less capable we are of recognizing it: Once sleep deprivation — with its fuzzy-headedness, irritability, and fatigue — has us in its sway, we can hardly recall what it’s like to be fully rested. And as the sleep debt mounts, the health consequences increase, putting us at growing risk for weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and memory loss.”

4 hours of sleep versus 8-9 hours of sleep is a major change in your sleeping schedule. It’s true that as we age (talking seniors here), we need less sleep and we may have more frequent awakenings during the night. Insomnia is possible. But you say this comes as the result of the medication you are on, so it should really be discussed with your doctor. Any change in sleep that persist over a 2-3 month period should really be investigated with your GP. Your body is actually trying to tell you something and it may just up the ante by causing some major havoc if ignored. I went through a very challenging period this year that was due to severe sleep deprivation (although I was getting a full night’s sleep) and which finally led, after many months of waiting and testing, to the diagnosis and proper treatment.

There are students who abuse stimulant meds in order to stay up all night to do their schoolwork. Stimulants taken too late in the day can affect your sleep. The particular stimulant med I’m on can’t be taken past 1 pm, although I’ve been on others that I have been able to take later in the afternoon.

Here’s some useful links:

This is a good link, it talks about a study done with student volunteers who only sleep 4 hours a night for 6 consecutive nights – dangerous for your health. It has other good information:

http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/Repaying-your-sleep-debt.shtml

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/how-many-hours-of-sleep-are-enough/AN01487

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lack-of-sleep/AN02065

Trying to get by on less sleep is not something to aspire to, according to the research.

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