Sleep is an important factor in retaining your job. You are sharper, easier to be around, prevent meltdowns and do not fall asleep at your desk. Many Spectrumites have horrible issues with sleep. I found a blog aptly titled the Insomnia Blog and it worth checking out. It is from an NT perspective but there may be tips that help out.
http://www.theinsomniablog.com/the_insomnia_blog/
Showing posts with label sleep. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sleep. Show all posts
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Fighting Sleep Disorders for Interviews
Every interview tip sheet I read starts with "Get a good night's sleep". It makes me want to scream. Sleep disorders are pervasive among those of us on the ASD Spectrum and hit all four major areas: inability to fall asleep, inability to stay asleep, waking early and restlessness/poor sleep quality. It is almost like we go into an interview with one strike against us.
Among the various things I have tried for sleep are Valerian Root, Melatonin, Lunesta, Ambien, Tylenol PM, Nytol and various cold/flu medications. Most will work for a couple of nights and the Lunesta & Ambien were consistently efficacious-- their downside was the side effects and the grogginess the next morning.
Finally I went to a sleep specialist who prescribed Mirapex for Restless Leg Syndrome following an overnight sleep study in which my legs moved so much it was as if I had walked miles during the night. Now that, along with a regular sleep routine and occasional use of Tylenol PM have me functioning well enough.
For those of you who want to fight the sleep issue start with the usual suspects-- make a routine sleep pattern, no caffeine or other stimulants after noon, do not stay in bed while you cannot get to sleep-- and then branch out from there. Some people have had success with bright light/natural light therapies in the morning and others use a recorded book at night so they can listen to the story in the dark. There are many options.
Among the various things I have tried for sleep are Valerian Root, Melatonin, Lunesta, Ambien, Tylenol PM, Nytol and various cold/flu medications. Most will work for a couple of nights and the Lunesta & Ambien were consistently efficacious-- their downside was the side effects and the grogginess the next morning.
Finally I went to a sleep specialist who prescribed Mirapex for Restless Leg Syndrome following an overnight sleep study in which my legs moved so much it was as if I had walked miles during the night. Now that, along with a regular sleep routine and occasional use of Tylenol PM have me functioning well enough.
For those of you who want to fight the sleep issue start with the usual suspects-- make a routine sleep pattern, no caffeine or other stimulants after noon, do not stay in bed while you cannot get to sleep-- and then branch out from there. Some people have had success with bright light/natural light therapies in the morning and others use a recorded book at night so they can listen to the story in the dark. There are many options.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Aspergers, Sleep and Employment
A recent discussion on the Wrong Planet Work and finding a job discussion forum has focused on people making the adjustment from unemployed to full time employment and the effect it has on their sleep.
Most people on the Spectrum experience some form of sleep disorder. In my own case the sleep specialist I saw likened my leg movements to walking a few miles every night which not only made me physically tired but woke me up frequently with the movements. An RLS medication helped a lot.
While un/under-employed ASD folk are able to catch up on their sleep so it is no wonder that a full time job work impact that flexibility in rest. But the problem goes deeper. Full time employment means longs stretches of the day where the person has to remain vigilant against meltdowns, social faux pas and stimming that was not done before.
How to deal with this?
While unemployed it is a good idea to spend some time in public each day simply keeping up appearances. Think of it as working out in preparation for a game. Also, once you do start working schedule times to relax your guard in private. I used to book meetings in rooms alone simply for the purpose of going in and letting my social act slip. I would say the stim words, pace and even have silent meltdowns. After a while my energy levels built up and slowly the tiredness went away.
Certainly the breaks impacted my performance at work in the short run but they were certainly more acceptable than falling asleep at my desk or having an extreme moment in the workplace.
Most people on the Spectrum experience some form of sleep disorder. In my own case the sleep specialist I saw likened my leg movements to walking a few miles every night which not only made me physically tired but woke me up frequently with the movements. An RLS medication helped a lot.
While un/under-employed ASD folk are able to catch up on their sleep so it is no wonder that a full time job work impact that flexibility in rest. But the problem goes deeper. Full time employment means longs stretches of the day where the person has to remain vigilant against meltdowns, social faux pas and stimming that was not done before.
How to deal with this?
While unemployed it is a good idea to spend some time in public each day simply keeping up appearances. Think of it as working out in preparation for a game. Also, once you do start working schedule times to relax your guard in private. I used to book meetings in rooms alone simply for the purpose of going in and letting my social act slip. I would say the stim words, pace and even have silent meltdowns. After a while my energy levels built up and slowly the tiredness went away.
Certainly the breaks impacted my performance at work in the short run but they were certainly more acceptable than falling asleep at my desk or having an extreme moment in the workplace.
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