[MotownJohnny]

Gee, Einstein, really, what was your clue, when I sat down and fell asleep listening to you ramble on about your day? When I dozed off at my desk for the third time in a work week?

Yeah, I keep a crazy busy schedule. I get up really early about 5 days a week, between 3 and 4 am depending upon the particulars. I often don't get to bed before 11, at times midnight. 10 is great. 9 almost never happens.

Yes, I am chronically sleep deprived. I know it. I'm not stupid. I know it's unhealthy. I know it can cause functional issues. Maybe that's why I lose things like keys and watches and phones all of the time.

I cant' stop doing what I do ... I have more fear/phobia/anxiety over NOT doing the things that are stopping me from sleeping than I do over not getting enough sleep.

I am SO SICK of people, from doctors, therapist to family and friends, telling me "you need more sleep". I especially hate it when it's a mental health professional who trots out "sleep is important to mental health".

Because, it's MY choice. Believe me, I wish I had time for more sleep. Don't see that happening. I'm not stupid. I'm not "crazy". So, knowing the pros and cons, it's my decision. It's just as insulting, IMHO, to tell me I need more sleep as it would be to say something like "go take a prozac".

[Perna]

Stating the obvious until you "get it" is not particularly insulting to me; I was glad enough people told me to "smile" so I could understand I was really hurting and needed to get some help. That you are functioning from fear, that is what is unhealthy; you need help so you do not have fear/phobia/anxiety over not doing things. It is not your "choice" if you are fear-driven. That's like saying it is your choice to run from the monster chasing you in your dreams instead of turning around and facing it so it goes away and you don't dream about monsters anymore. Sure, one can choose that but it does not seem like a good choice to others.

[possum220]

My brother only gets about 4 hours per night. He just doesn't sleep. Some people can function on less sleep.If you are not impaired by tiredness, don't worry about what others say.