Hey you guys! I need some help. I am 13 years old and I think that I have insomnia, but I am not sure if I do. So, i'll just tell ya about some of my symtoms. EVERY NIGHT for the past year or two it has taken me about 1 1/2- 2 hours to fall asleep, and if I am really tired it may only take a hour. Lots of times if something is boring at school I can't pay attention, and sometimes I find myself tired. (I am not tired everyday, though.) I read this thing about why some people have cronic insomnia, but none of it applied to me. E-mail me at Goddess Chelly@aol.com, if you think that I have insomnia or not. And if you think I do, could you tell me how servere you think it is. THANKS! P.S. I get about 6 1/2 to 7 hours of sleep a night, if that helps. Also if I were to fall right asleep I would get 8 1/2 hours of sleep.

-- Becky Robinson (Goddess Chelly@aol.com), October 21, 2000

Answers

You do not have insomnia. If you did it would take you longer than 1 1/2 hours to fall asleep, and when you did fall asleep your sleep would be broken and never last for more than a couple of hours at a time. As for not always being able to concentrate at school, isn't that a problem we all have?! What I think you might have is a tricky sleep threshold...it means that when you try to go to sleep you need to be in a certain frame of mind. Try to do calming things before you go to bed, like having a warm bath or shower and drinking a warm drink.

If the problem persists or gets any worse, it may be due to a chemical imbalance, in which case you should probably see your doctor. (Much as I wish I was, I'm not a doctor, only a first-year medical student).

Hope this helps.

-- Helen (breathe@oceanic.nu), October 22, 2000.

Dude! If you have insomnia, then so do I. I lay in bed for at least an hour before falling asleep... and being tired alot. Hell, if you are tired now, just wait until you start working. You know WORKING. Like at a job.

As for getting 6.5 to 7 hours of sleep a night... let me know how it feels... I wish I got that much. Stop your whining and get some sleep. Just kidding... but really, you dont have insomnia. You might be a hypocondriac, but not an insomniac.

-- Greg Barber (gbarber@gbdesigns.com), October 24, 2000.

You do not have insomnia because you are getting 6 1/2 to 7 hours of sleeps. I assume that it is solid sleep without waking up every half hour or so and finding it hard to fall back asleep. How much caffeine or sugar do you consume a day? Both throw off your bodys balance of needing sleep.

-- Tessa (unicorn_princess@nerdy.co.uk), November 20, 2000.