Worried about insomnia

[superpker]

Hi, i turned 13 in january and feel great...until 3 weeks ago. Well, on Monday i slept at 11.30p.m. and  on tuesday, wednesday and thursday, i slept at 11.30p.m. Somehow my mind thought i took more than half an hour to sleep ( i actually took about 5mins to sleep). Well, since then, i have been worrying about iinsomnia. I tried to convince myself that i do not have insomnia and now i am convinced. However, i new problem has popped up. Now, i am worried that i will get insomnia and have been feeling very down and exhausted since last friday. Can anyone please tell me what can i do and i am also in the middle of exams now but i think that the problem is not stress.... i would be very very very grateful to anyone that can help me solve my problem

[magpieee]

Hi superpker,

I remember when I just turned 13, it was like my whole life turned around. Honestly, this is going to sound silly, but one time I forgot how to fall asleep :)
The only thing I can really suggest for you, is to regulate a sleeping pattern, like John above said. Maybe come home from school, take a nap, and then wake up and enjoy your evening. But, honestly, don't get too into the nap or you'll be up till late hours. Suggested, maybe one nap per week. That was you can catch up on your missing sleep.

And dear, you don't have insomnia. Having been clinically diagnosed with insomnia, my logs (doctor makes me keep a sleep journal :P) have come to the conclusion im awake usually until about 4 or 5 in the morning, and even sometimes don't fall asleep. It's more of a mind selectivity. Don't worry yourself with Insomnia, because that'll increase your lack of sleep even more. You'll be okay :)

If you have any questions, feel free to message me and we can chat.

-Maggie.

[John_jb1]

Hello,

It doesn't sound like Insomnia, an insomniac would be awake until silly hours in the morning, sometimes 4-5am, and only manage 3-4 hours sleep a night.
It does supprise me that someone your age knows about insomnia though, most 13 year olds do not know much about any kind of neurological disorder. I'm guessing you're tired often and can't get to sleep very easily at night, and looked it up and found something about insomnia?

If that's the case, I had the same problem at your age, I'd go bed at about 11, and lay awake for an hour sometimes. I found out it was actually down to an irregular sleeping pattern. As weekends I'd be going to bed at about 2am and then trying to go bed at 11 the next night... Put my body more or less in shock.
I'd say keep a regular sleeping pattern, say 11pm on weekdays and 12/1230 on weekends, should do you fine.

Cheers,

- John -