3-5 am waking

Its killing me. Its been like this for months. Usually awake from 4-5 but sometimes its 3-5. I have to get up for work 6am ish. It makes no difference how tired I am. Ive had it before in the past. I know that it is linked to depression but dont know why (like the doctor bothers telling you)

Will it affect me long term? Age me, affect my body? Does anybody have the same and how do you cope?

Citrine, this is a problem for a lot of people. There's a lot of advice out there on sleep aids, behavior, hygiene. Sorry I can't offer more. I have been thru this, eliminated many, alternate what works for me. I wish you the best with all my heart, as sleep is so vital for well being.

Yes Payne I agree sleep being vital to wellbeing. I love sleep and naturally sleep alot during depressive periods and physical illness. If I get so,e impromptu catch up sleep, I wake up looking a few yrs younger I swear!, It is a healer all round.

I didnt wake the usual time last night yipeeee! One night out of 78 lol!

What you experience is quite normal. We all wake up during middle of a nights sleep. Just go with it. Worry will not help.

Yip worry makes it worse, especially if you check the time. I've covered the click so I can't see the time, I have to get up to pee and have a sip of water and sleep again sometimes. Otherwise I used to get up and do all my ironing and baking while my husband snored...
Now I just drift, sometimes going back to sleep but waking late for work! Vicious cycle. Relaxing about it is the only option I can recommend....good luck

Restless sleep, is something I've struggled with, with my insomnia. Insomnia, hasn't been for me, just about not being able to fall asleep, it has also been about being able to stay asleep.
How to deal with it, depends on the path you choose to take...there's been good advice here, I've not much to add...

Unfortunately most of us are programmed to sleep in two chunks. We have always just assumed humans sleep once a night but it simply might not be correct. Now society is based on something that might be a lie...

Its perfectly normal. This happens to me at around 3 am every night (if I fall asleep at all) but there's really nothing to worry about I've heard of lots of people that do this.