“I find it very challenging to manage my job with the lack of sleep”

Our story

“Lack of sleep is a massive problem for us. Our seven year old, Ellie, has ADHD and autism and has never slept, even as a baby. We didn’t realise how big of an issue it was until she was about two.

“On average she sleeps about three hours a night, even less if she’s anxious or stressed, and that’s with medication.

“Things like white noise such as a fan helps a little, and reflexology and mindfulness helps her get her off to sleep which Julie does with her. A mixture of these things and melatonin help her to fall asleep, but she’s just not able to stay asleep.”

Neil tells us “There are days when we literally find it almost impossible to function. My wife has lupus and fibromyalgia, so she is already chronically fatigued. Her illnesses are made much worse by lack or sleep and she finds it a waste to try to catch up on sleep when Ellie is at school.

“I am a a driver and I find it very challenging to manage my job with the lack of sleep. I have to grab sleep when I can, often when Ellie is at school before I start work.”

Julie adds “It concerns us how tired he must be at work. I really feel for anyone who cares for someone with sleep issues, it is so difficult.”

How lack of sleep impacts the family

“Often Ellie can cope without the sleep with no ill effects, but at times it can make her overly hyper or quite aggressive and grumpy.

It very much limits our time together and any social activities we can do together. Nobody is really able to watch Ellie as they can’t cope with her lack of sleep and some of her challenging behaviours.

We get no support or help. We both have nursing backgrounds so it’s deemed we cope well. Our eldest daughter, who also works full time, is the only person who tries but we do feel like it’s a lot for her.”