this post was submitted on 17 Jun 2025
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Do all of us neurodiverse folks have sleep issues? (lemmy.ca)
submitted 5 days ago by Seigest@lemmy.ca to c/autism@lemmy.world
55 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

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.

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[–] getoffthedrugsdude@lemmy.ml 4 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I've had insomnia my entire life. Can't sleep more than 4-5 hours at a time because of horrible/strange dreams/nightmares. Falling asleep is the worst of it, and the tiniest of disturbances (a noise, sensory issue like with the bedding) can dysregulate me to the point of distress making it hard to relax and pass out. I only slept well during times of heavy thc use, but those days are long gone. I need white noise, total darkness, and clean bedding to fall asleep these days and it's never a guarantee.

[–] Seigest@lemmy.ca 3 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Do you have a heightened sensitivity to noise and touch when trying to sleep? I noticed I get that, lot of nightmares regarding bugs and my skin will crawl all night after one. I become every hair on my body and they all terrify me somehow.

[–] getoffthedrugsdude@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Yep, allllll the time. I can't sleep without white noise because I'll fixate on things like cars passing or the a/c kicking on. I swear I can feel every hair on my head some nights and they're somehow twisted the wrong direction. I have sensitive skin too, so I'll randomly get hives/red itchy splotches that are maddening when trying to sleep. If I get actual bug bites I have to put bandaids over them so I don't feel them rubbing against any fabric because I'll scratch them bloody even when unconscious. Fun times.

[–] Seigest@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 days ago

I've had the itchy nights. Sheets cleaned with sensitive detergent helps. I paid out for pricey modal sheets which made a lot of difference. However I still get the bad nights, NyQuil has saved me from those (I don't recommend using that one too often).