Sleep Attacks

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I'm not sure if this is autism-related or if it's more ADHD related, but I get sleep attacks quite often. By this, I mainly speak of when I try to do a task that is very mentally challenging and/or not interesting to me (or not related to one of my interests), my brain tends to shut itself down. I get extremely sleepy and tired and there is little correlation to how much rest I've gotten the evening before. I also tend to get a very distant, "out of it" feeling whenever I get overloaded. For example, I experience this in stores like Walmart or grocery stores. I might also get this when socializing for an extended amount of time.

I used to rationalize it as my brain just getting overloaded or "short-circuiting"... that's what it seems like. But I don't know, exactly if these would be considered shutdowns or just plain ol' sleep attacks. They can get fairly extreme, though, if left unchecked.

The easiest way for me to fix myself is to go to sleep for a bit or nap. I usually wake up feeling much better. Going to a quiet spot also helps.

So I guess what I'm curious to know is if these episodes are more indicative of a sleep disorder or if they could be related to autism or possibly ADHD. Does anyone else experience this?

I believe this paper covers what you're talking about in relation to autism:

http://www.shutdownsandstressinautism.c ... utism.html

There is a similar thing with ADHD in that trying to do a challenging and uninteresting task causes changes in the blood supply to your prefontal cortex, causing sudden fatigue and inhibiting ability to continue with a task:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11725823

Hmm.. interesting. I guess it seems to be related to either ADHD or autism.

I need to look at it all in more detail, but it definitely makes sense from what I skimmed through so far.

Thank you for sharing!

Yes, I do have that problem.

This just happened to me yesterday. I was at work (I work at an amusement park...) and IDK what it was. The park wasn't as busy as it usually is for a summer day, but I suddenly got so damn tired. The lights seemed brighter than usual and all the damn colors from our uniforms were blinding me. All of the noise, the people in the line... It felt like I was nowhere but there at the same time. I could see my arms and legs, but it didn't feel like they belonged to me. I started to feel dizzy and very sleepy. I told my boss that I needed to go to medical center really quick since it felt like I was going to faint. I sat in the chair for about twenty minutes and I was fighting to not fall asleep. I actually think that I fell asleep for awhile because while sitting there, time went by really fast. I was so tired that my eyes were watering. I think that I was just overwhelmed with the entire week.

I'm not sure if it's what you mean...but when I worked if I was bored or stressed I would get these attacks where I was SO exhausted. It was as if I had been drugged, I sometimes would literally have to take a break and put my head down for a rest. I would yawn uncontrollably and my eyes would water, I was distracted and dizzy and disoriented. All I could think about was how tired I was. Sometimes I get a similar feeling at/shortly after social events.

My husband gets exhausted after a really intensely stressful event. When we were first married we'd have a row and he'd instantly fall asleep, it made me crazy. Now I just know he's spent and needs to recharge. I think anxiety is really taxing and maybe you aren't aware just how overwhelmed you get. I've learned to let my husband sleep as much as he wants. I can't relate to what it's like to have AS but I can empathize.

Exactly what happens to me .

I'll get overwhelmed in some way (socialising, supermarkets, rows, job interviews, whatever) and it's all I can do just to reach the bed in time! Colours are overly bright, sounds are like fire klaxons, my skin feels like it has a thousand bugs having a rave underneath it, and god forbid anyone touches me!

Then I'll nap and be absolutely fine.

You mean like nap attacks from Garfield?



I know this is serious, but I can't help but laugh at the thought of it.

I thought I was the only one who called them "Nap Attacks"

I don't know if it's related, but I get sleep attacks quite often. Sometimes just for no good reason, I just feel such an urge to nap, so strong, no matter how hard I try, I fall asleep.

I get these sleep "nap" attacks as well. Not only am I tired, but being in bed is one of the few places I feel safe.

Verdandi thanks for the link! I haven't read the paper yet, but it looks interesting.

I very often sleep on the table at work just to get through the day. I get this feeling of absolute drowsiness and a hazy, not-focusing-my-eyes feeling. And the only way that I can reset is to sleep. Even for 10 minutes. Otherwise it goes on and on and i can become mute, agitated and a desperate feeling.

This has happened to me on more than one job as well as every time I've attempted college.

I think that sounds like what I'm talking about. It can come on kind of suddenly (or also be a dull aching sort of feeling), but when it hits, it's hard to ignore.

I've been in class before taking notes when I had a sleep attack. When I woke up, I found that I'd been writing gibberish that ran off the page. I seriously tried everything I could to stay awake, too. I'd brought gum, I tried pinching myself, tried to stay interested, etc... but it caught up to me before the end of the class.

I think falling asleep is a fairly normal and I've heard other students talk about it. But it doesn't just happen in class. I get it pretty bad when I'm out and about, too.

I think maybe it's just that my brain goes right into sleep mode when its got too much information to deal with. Maybe it's a good thing, actually... I've been seeing all of these TV programs that suggest that sleep helps you learn. Perhaps I'm learning secretly while asleep. Though, of course, I'd rather the nap attacks come at a more proper time. And not when I'm out trying to do something important. xD

Last edited by syrella on 01 Jul 2011, 10:41 am, edited 1 time in total.

I've had this happen in a lot of different circumstances. Things which make me angry or sad might instead make me sleepy. I've also had it happen in the car, usually after something stressful. I've learned to pull over at the next opportunity and deal with it. I don't need a long nap or anything, I just have to barely fall asleep to recover.