The following is a visitor-submitted question or story. For more, you can submit your own sleep story here, or browse the collection of experiences and questions other visitors have shared here.

Getting The Hours I Need But Feeling Like I've Only Got A Couple

by Anna

I'm 17 years old, a parent, and a high school student. I live with my boyfriend and his parents. Recently, I've been feeling as if I've only gotten a couple hours of sleep each night and even on the weekends. I haven't been able to sleep in to get the sleep I feel that I need. The only ways I've been able to do that is staying the night at a friend's house but that happens only very rarely.


I've been moody and had the lack of interest in most of my hobbies and activities. I've been getting really frustrated from the lack of help I've been receiving and it's taking a toll on my body. I've been told it was because of all the anger and blowups I've been making because I'm so high strung and not lightening up.

Thing is tough is that they don't know that I've been having this problem for quite some time now and they don't know how it feels. I'm just hoping it's nothing serious and I'm able to get back to my normal life. What do you think is wrong or what's going on? I need help.


Kevin: Hey Anna, thanks for writing in. I think you can conquer your sleep and energy troubles. Let's think about some strategies.

You mention that you seem to sleep better at friends' houses. What is the difference between the two environments for you? Does it have to do with noise or light? For instance, does the friend's room not let light in in the morning, whereas your room does? Chances are that didn't hit the nail on the head, but maybe you can identify some of the traits that go along with sleeping at friends' houses so you can bring them back to your home environment.

Let's talk sleep disorders now. You say you feel like you've only gotten a couple of hours of sleep a night. Is this after sleeping for a good 7-8+ hours? Maybe you are getting a high quantity of sleep at low quality, due to a sleep disorder. Sleep apnea is one that will commonly lead to that feeling. (If you snore, it's even more likely.) Do you think you would like to see a sleep center in your area? You can see a list of them here.

Warmly,
Kevin


(Please keep in mind that I am a student of sleep science and not a medical doctor. Please take any thoughts I give with my background in mind.)

Comments for Getting The Hours I Need But Feeling Like I've Only Got A Couple

Click here to add your own comments

Nov 20, 2012
Narcolepsy NEW
by: Anonymous

If you are tired throughout the whole day and have been getting increasingly more tired for a few years, you might have Narcolepsy.

I have Narcolepsy. It started when I was a freshman in high-school which is common (you develop Narcolepsy between the ages of 15-25). As a freshman, I would just feel drowsy during my morning classes. However, the older I got and the more activities I participated in, the less sleep I actually got and the more pronounced the symptoms of Narcolepsy became. My first semester of college was HORRIBLE. I couldn't stay awake in any of my classes past 15-20 minutes of class. My family has a history of sleep apnea, so I went to see a sleep doctor first. The sleep apnea test came out normal so I was tested for Narcolepsy and was found to have it. Now I am taking Nuvigil once in the morning every day to counter-act the sleep deprivation caused by Narcolepsy.

Nov 20, 2012
Narcolepsy NEW
by: Anonymous

If you are tired throughout the whole day and have been getting increasingly more tired for a few years, you might have Narcolepsy.

I have Narcolepsy. It started when I was a freshman in high-school which is common (you develop Narcolepsy between the ages of 15-25). As a freshman, I would just feel drowsy during my morning classes. However, the older I got and the more activities I participated in, the less sleep I actually got and the more pronounced the symptoms of Narcolepsy became. My first semester of college was HORRIBLE. I couldn't stay awake in any of my classes past 15-20 minutes of class. My family has a history of sleep apnea, so I went to see a sleep doctor first. The sleep apnea test came out normal so I was tested for Narcolepsy and was found to have it. Now I am taking Nuvigil once in the morning every day to counter-act the sleep deprivation caused by Narcolepsy.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to The Effects of Sleep Deprivation.




Enjoy this page? Please help us pay it forward to others who would find it valuable by Liking, Sharing, Tweeting, Stumbling, and/or Voting below.

About This Site

Welcome! This site is continuously being created by students of Dr. William C. Dement's Sleep And Dreams course at Stanford University.

We made this site as a call to action for people all over the world to live healthier, happier, safer, and more productive lives by learning about their own sleep. We have faith that reading the information provided on this site will motivate you to be smart about your sleep deprivation and strategic about your alertness in order to live life to your fullest, most energetic potential.

In fact, we challenge you to do so! What do you say, are you up for the challenge?


A Note On Visitor-Submitted Questions:

Publishing sleep stories and questions from our visitors is meant to create a forum for open and proactive dialogue about an extremely important portion of our lives (one that occupies 1/3 of it and affects the other 2/3) that isn't talked about enough. It is not meant to substitute a trip to the doctor or the advice of a specialist. It's good to talk; it is not good to avoid consulting someone who's profession it is to help you with this kind of stuff.

If you are in any way concerned about your sleep health, don't wait for an answer on here, and don't necessarily rely on them. See a sleep specialist in your area as soon as possible.

More Questions:

Ask | Answer

The Stanford Sleep Book

Stanford Sleep Book Picture

Dr. Dement's pioneering textbook has been the core text for Sleep and Dreams since 1980, but it has just recently been made available to the wider public for the first time.

In it you'll find a more detailed account of the most important things you need to know about sleep, alertness, dreams, and sleep disorders. Studies, statistics, plus plenty of Dr. Dement's classic anecdotes painting the history of sleep medicine.

Preface | Intro | Contents | Get A Copy

More Sleep Resources

The Zeo

A revolution in personal sleep tracking, the Zeo is a wireless headband that transmits your brainwaves in realtime to a dock (pictured here) or your smartphone. The result? You can wake up and see exactly what stages of sleep you were in during the night! Unprecedented personalized sleep knowledge.

Sleep Paralysis: A Dreamer's Guide

Sleep Paralysis Treatment Book

Ever woken up paralyzed? A surprising number of us have, believe it or not. But few know the actual causes of this phenomenon, and fewer still how to exert control over it. Dream researcher and sleep paralysis expert Ryan Hurd shares breakthrough insights into how to do just that.

Important Disclaimer

Please Note:

The information found on this page and throughout this site is intended for general information purposes only. While it may prove useful and empowering, it is NOT intended as a substitute for the expertise and judgments of healthcare practitioners.

For more info, see our
Terms of Use.