Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Sorry guys, I am going to be a broken record for a few days about my travels and how they affect bipolar disorder. I’m on the East Coast and wow, I have had sleep problems. Last night I stayed up late (midnight) to watch the football playoffs and when I finally got to bed I had visions of Payton Manning (quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts) throwing the ball all night. Then I heard words from the game and words from the conversations with my friends. I really love being with people, but I easily get overstimulated. It’s not good for me.

This brain chatter is like having a train go through my head. It just won’t turn off. I have a section in my book Get it Done When You’re Depressed called Expect Brain Chatter.  I just read that strategy again. It’s true- the running commentary in your head that keeps going even when you’re sleeping can be very stressful and tiring!

Eventually, at 2:30 I just took some of my Ativan (Lorazepam) in order to sleep. I am lucky it works well for me at a very small dose. I can get to sleep on 1mg or even .5 if I’m already a bit tired.  I don’t know why I just don’t take it from the beginning. It’s like I feel I have to get to sleep on my own in order to prove something. This has always been a struggle. I just need to take the darn stuff.

I am worried about these sleep problems, [... Read More ...]

Well, nine hours of sleep is so amazing for me I actually woke up and wanted to do a little jig. I’m what I call an undersleeper. I was actually talking with my friend Kristin yesterday- she’s the author of Bipolar and Pregnant, and we spent a long time talking about bipolar disorder and sleep. Here are all the ways it affected our sleep:

#1. Issues due to meds. Kristin talked about Topamax. She has no idea if it affects sleep- but she’s pretty sure it affects memory. Kristin uses Lunesta to sleep.

#2. When I’m depressed, I have agitated sleep which means my brain doesn’t shut down at night. Bother! I use Ativan to sleep when it gets bad.

#3. Of course, mania is the biggest problem. I rapid cycle almost daily, so on the nights I can actually fall asleep normally and get 7-8 hours of rest is pretty great!

#4 . Excessive tiredness from medications- especially some anti depressants. Whew, I used to get so tired my lips got numb and I slept 14 hours a day. No kidding!

 Many people in this industry say that regulating sleep is the #1 way to manage the illness. How is your sleep? I need to write a book on the topic!

 The buzz word these days is ’sleep hygeine” I am not even sure how to spell the word! Ah, here it is: hygiene!

Julie