Sleep is the Key

A friend of mine who writes books on bipolar said, “The main way to manage bipolar disorder is to manage your …. sleep.”

He’s totally right. I talk about this in my book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder. It’s a huge component of a successful management plan.

Sleep is also an excellent mood indicator.

I know that I’m doing pretty well right now as I can sleep at night without Ativan. When I get sick, I have to use small amounts of Ativan to fall asleep. I monitor it carefully so that it doesn’t build up in my system and make me tired during the day.

Three questions:

It’s Thursday- how was your sleep on M T and W?  What does it tell you about your moods?”

Are your meds affecting your sleep? If so, what needs to change?

How many hours do you realistically need a night to wake up refreshed? What does it take to get those hours?

Julie

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