Suzanna Poredos

Suzanna lives in Sydney and has insomnia and other sleep issues. 

My sleep issues started when I was very young, although I didn’t have the words to describe them back then. I remember lying awake for hours, feeling hyper-aware of sounds or textures, and waking up repeatedly through the night. It wasn’t until my teenage years that I started noticing how much this lack of rest was affecting me during the day — I felt constantly exhausted, foggy, and increasingly anxious about bedtime. That’s when I first reached out for medical help.

Unfortunately, the support I received was disappointing. The first GP I saw dismissed my symptoms, telling me it was “just in my head” and to try basic things like cutting caffeine or exercising more. I was prescribed melatonin a few years later, but it triggered such vivid nightmares that I had to stop taking it. I didn’t feel heard, and as an autistic person, that experience — of being talked over or misunderstood — was all too familiar. Since then, I haven’t pursued a formal diagnosis because I want to be sure I’m seeing someone who understands neurodivergence and takes the time to listen.

Right now, I’m studying for my bachelor degree and trying to build work experience — both of which require focus, energy, and consistency. But with my sleep disorder, even the most basic tasks can feel overwhelming. I live with chronic pain, which makes it harder to fall and stay asleep, and in turn, poor sleep makes the pain worse. It’s a frustrating cycle that wears me down mentally and physically.

Sleep, for me, isn’t restorative — it’s another thing I have to manage. I often wake up feeling just as tired as when I went to bed. Recurring nightmares make the idea of sleep stressful rather than comforting, and the cumulative exhaustion can lead to low mood, irritability, and even occasional hallucinations when I’ve gone without proper rest for too long.

My biggest concern is the long-term impact. I worry that this ongoing exhaustion will affect my ability to function, manage my health, and live the kind of life I want. Sleep disorders don’t just affect your nights — they shape every part of your day.

That’s why I think raising awareness about sleep health is so important, especially for neurodivergent people who are often overlooked in these conversations. I want others to know that their experiences are valid — and that being taken seriously shouldn’t be the exception, but the standard.

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