Thanks to everyone for such amazing and insightful comments on the Mania and Sleep blog post. The topic is obviously so important. It really is such a chicken and the egg problem. I can be in bed and unable to sleep and I have to go through my list- am I just wound up because I stayed out late? Will I get to sleep eventually? Is it possible it’s agitated depression? What if it’s hypomania?
Then I have to truly assess if I will actually get to sleep if i just lie there. I listen to my Ipod podcasts – which helps a lot. I do sleep exercises (counting something!) and breathing. I do it all! And if I’m still awake, I say to myself. “Ok Julie, it’s essential that you sleep at least seven hours. Take your sleep meds!”
Why is it such a struggle? I think we all want to just sleep normally and bipolar can make this super hard- so the chicken and the egg- does the sleep trouble come from a trigger than can then lead to bipolar symptoms- or does the bipolar make it hard to sleep!
If you look at the blog post below, you will see a small button at the top of the post where you can click to read the comments. Wow, I learn so much from everyone.
Julie
A mania tip: If you are slightly manic and go to a crowded beach all day- it can increase the mania because of the sunlight. Wear super dark glasses and sit [... Read More ...]
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