Hypoxia and Medicine

Is being a light sleeper a medical condition?

I'm a college student and I've been a light sleeper my whole life. I'll wake up to people quietly opening my door, opening drawers, rummaging through things, turning on the lights, even whispering my name to someone else. I often hear things in other parts of the building that wake me up. This has caused me to be unable to have a roommate because if someone wakes up earlier than me or goes to bed after me, it's hard for me to stay asleep. I also canNOT sleep with snorers. Anyway, my university has a limited amount of single rooms, but they only give them to people with severe or chronic medical conditions. Not everyone understands this if they aren't a light sleeper, but not being able to sleep reeks HAVOC on your body and mental state, and I'm convinced that it messed with my academic performance last semester so I can't take that chance again. I want to go to a doctor and see if I can get documentation about my condition so that I can have a room to myself and keep my health and sanity. Does anyone know if this is possible or even realistic? I'm desperate, I need my sleep :(

Public Comments

1. I don't know the surveys or what-not...I'll bet alot of it is setting your mind to it, psychologically determining to ignore/tuneout the noises. It seems to me when you are raised in a quiet place with hardly anything disturbing your sleep I've noticed people sleep very light. If let's say you live in the heart of New York City I'm sure you're able to sound out the ambient noise of cars honking, screaming and people getting mugged. Otherwise you can get one of those guys who insulate engineering rooms for music studios and sound-proof your bedroom.
2. Look up this: http://www.umm.edu/sleep/sleep_hyg.htm
3. It's difficult enough with study-stress let alone no sleep. You need to see a physician about sleep deprivation and get a notice/prognosis from him/her written and signed. Give it to whoever on the University staff that designates dorm rooms and hopefully they'll reassign a room for you. If you invest in some quality earplugs that may help as well.