Dizzy/Out of Reality?

[Jibblin]

Hey everyone! I'm new here so go easy on me.

Anyway, this fall is my first semester at college and I think the college lifestyle is startin to affect me negatively. I usually never get sick, but I noticed a few weeks ago that, after only minimal stress, I began to feel wierd. I was reading a text book in a computer lab and I just suddenly felt dizzy or out of reality. It went away after about a week, but it came back a couple days ago (lots of stress with school work). It's the most difficult thing to explain. I can walk and function fine, but I just don't feel like i'm fully conscious. It's sorta like that feeling you have immediately after you wake up. You still feel somewhat asleep but everything seems cloudy. I do feel failry tired and my body aches just a little. I can't concentrate much when I go to class or work. My heart rate has seemed to increase over the last few weeks too (I already knew I have an abnormal heart rythm though), and I get extremely worn out when I climb my 5 flights of stairs to go home. I'm hoping it's just a stress/anxiety/sleep deprivation mix

I hope I covered everything! oh yea, I go to bed anytime between 10:30PM-1AM (lately it's been 11PM-1230AM) and wake up between 7AM and 8AM depending on the day (alternate every other day). When i wake up I don't feel refreshed at all...and it takes a while to fully wake up.

Thanks for any advice you can give me! I don't know if it's worth going to see a doctor or not.

Thanks,
Caleb

[Jaybay]

One, you aren't getting enough sleep.  Two, the increased heartrate is probably related to stress.  You're in a tough and stressful time of life.  IF you decide to see a doctor, go easy on any kind of sleeping meds.  They should only be used short term or you'll have even worse problems when you quit taking them.

Remember why you're in school.  Your education should come first and socializing last.  Seven or eight hours of sleep can be enough for some people; you sound like a person who needs an hour or two more.  I felt the same way at university - just not enough hours in the day so sleep time suffered.  If you have no trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, then it's a matter of making a commitment to an earlier bed time.  Not easy, I know!  :-)