Adults with ASD- sleep problems

[SerPants]

Does anyone else suffer from sleeplessness, and have you found a solution? I'm tired of feeling like a zombie all day then not being able to sleep at night!

I feel like my brain doesn't fully "switch off" when I want it to. Not that I'm worrying about anything, but that it just doesn't stop thinking.

I know Melatonin is often used, but my doctor won't prescribe it. He has prescribed Zopiclone in the past, but only very short courses. I worked brilliantly and I felt like a different person. I also fall asleep easily if I've had alcohol, but obviously don't want to use this long-term.

I've tried all the usual sleep hygiene suggestions- meditation, relaxation, hot bath, lavender oil, to no avail.

It seems to be quite a common problem amongst people with ASD- is there something in our wiring that disrupts normal sleep?

Might not work but have you tried sleep apps (especially binaural waves?)

I got a good nights sleep last night using sleepphones and listening to these. Possibly a fluke though!

I sometimes have the same issue if something has upset me. I tend to go over & over it, and the result is not sleeping.
A warm milk drink works for me.

I have the same problem and it's so frustrating. I can lie in bed wide awake for up to 4 hours at times. The best thing that I've found is to write down any worries that are running through my mind which stops me obsessing over them. I also find that looking at my tablet keeps me awake but reading a book tires me out. If I haven't slept well for a while I take night nurse for up to three nights which really helps.

Thanks for the replies. I've started taking CBD at night for the past week which seems to help a lot- I've had no problems at all getting to sleep, although still wake in the night most nights. I feel like I sleep more deeply as well.

It could just be a coincidence but will carry on for now and hope it continues!

I've only just been diagnosed but had this problem for years. I fall asleep listening to audio books, and there are deliberately dull podcasts/radio shows such as 'Boring Talks' on BBC IPlayer radio (or 'sleep with me' on spotify) that focus my brain on one boring thing long enough to let me fall asleep.

Having said that, I found some of the boring talks subjects really fascinating so not all of them worked!