Bipolar Disorder and Sleep: I want to fall asleep on my own tonight

It’s a great night when I can get to sleep without sleep meds. I go through long periods when I’m fine and then I have nights where I simply won’t sleep unless I take my Ativan. It’s not that I don’t want to sleep- and it’s not that I’m manic. I just won’t sleep. I just lie there. Then I start the brain tug of war:

Brain #1  Julie, you really should be able to just go to sleep on your own. Other people don’t need meds to sleep. You will be too tired in the morning if you take the Ativan.  Just keep trying to get to sleep on your own! Just put on some calm music. Smell some lavender!

Brain #2  Julie, this is not a joke. You have bipolar disorder and that means you have sleep problems. TAKE YOUR MEDS! It’s not like you’re drinking wine or smoking pot to sleep. These [ Read More ]





Bipolar Disorder and Sleep: Football, friends, brain chatter and Ativan

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 [ Read More ]





I slept nine hours!

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 [ Read More ]





Sleep and Bipolar Disorder

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:

[ Read More ]





Tips for better sleep!

Everyone I know with bipolar disorder has some sort of sleep problem- it’s normal. It’s a bother.

Sleep Tips

- Sleep in a cool room- this can make a huge difference. If you get too hot, you will wake up more.

- Turn off lights one hour before bed and listen to a book on tape by a really low watt light- not a daylight bulb!  I actually turned off the light last night and listened to a show on my IPOD. – Have a noise machine such as a humidifier to block out sounds from outside.

- Keep your TV in the living room and definitely don’t watch TV right before going to bed. Not only is it overstimulating, it also emits a bright (blue spectrum) light that is stimulating.

Sometimes when I write these lists I think, this is just all so ridiculous. Why can’t I just be like my friends! They can [ Read More ]