Posted by Dinah on September 24, 2002, at 11:01:26
In reply to Sleep attacks and stress, posted by jane d on September 24, 2002, at 10:44:20
Howdy Jane. :)
I love the quote...
I think I've experienced both, if I understand you correctly. I always had trouble in college (and still have trouble at work) in that if I have too much to do, I'll get sleepy and nod off. I end up making the stress worse because I take away time that I could be using working.
It's not quite the same as the sleep attacks, which are completely overwhelming, sudden, and almost feel like you've taken an overdose of drugs. You can fall asleep anywhere, and have to. Sometimes I can hold off for short periods of time, for example to call my husband and tell him to get home to watch my son. But even if I can stay awake during those times, I'm not completely awake. And I am filled with the overwhelming need to find the safest place to sleep.
I've fallen asleep in my therapist's parking garage, in the stairwell of his office buiding, once during a session, in my son's car pool lane - parked of course, on my desk at work, on the floor of the bathroom, to name just a few. The sleep feels drugged, but I can be roused, and once I've slept for a short time I can function reasonable well, although I often am overcome again.
It's a relatively effective coping mechanism. I think it is somehow related to dissociation. But it can be inconvenient at times. I take care to do what I need to do so that it is not unsafe.
poster:Dinah
thread:30521
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020924/msgs/30525.html