Sleep & Bipolar Disorder | Prof. Greg Murray |

[@Phoenix-md8sh]

As someone living with bipolar disorder, I found this interesting. I sometimes struggle with sleep especially when I am stressed or anxious.

[@m.i.t.h.]

In the last year I've averaged 2 hours of sleep a night without crashing... last month I got less than 8 hours even with doctor intervention with mood stabilizers, Benadryl, melatonin, and various related vitamins. I get lack of sleep on both ends of the spectrum and in between episodes and my episodes are mixed. Mixed episodes on 8 hours of sleep can be quite frightening to go through alone.

[@LiveRussian]

How are you doing now? Have your sleep improved at least a bit? I'm bipolar 2 and also lack sleep on both ends, waking up multiple times per night and not even being sure of having any quality deep sleep...

[@m.i.t.h.]

@@LiveRussian It took some time and multiple tools, but I got there. The biggest help were mood stabilizers that worked once they built up in my system. (1st biggest help) While I'm not the biggest fan of meds, I must agree that they worked for me in this case. Other things I did: I try my best to keep my room cool at night (2nd biggest help). I also bought pillows that stay cooler than room temperature. I use a weighted blanket bc it reduces the urge to toss and turn and calms me down (blanket that weighs 15-20 lbs.). I also focused on a consistent bed time and not eating any food after 8pm to prevent blood sugar from going up and keeping me awake (3rd biggest help). At first I also had to consciously focus on slowing down my thoughts, breathing, and heart rate, but once my sleep pattern started coming back this step went away. Finally, I made a lifestyle change. I found that creative visual and physical activities amp me up (exercise, playing musical instruments, writing, drawing, acting, comedy, meditation) and other activities calm me down (reading of social and intellectual content such as finance, news, business, philosophy, psychology, health, religion, etc.) By balancing those activities in my life I got better at regulating when I was amped up or calmed down (4th biggest help). Hope this helps.

[@markholliday2252]

If I dont eat all day then take meds for sleep before food I sleep great for 2 hours. If I forget and eat then take meds they don't kick in to sleep. for 8 hours. I have the option of melatonin and if I take 2 after food can get to sleep sooner but it can take 5-6 hours. I have ADHD and it's not always possible to remember meds before food. I've had this insomnia since birth only sleeping 2 hours a night as a child. My sleep time through school and when I worked, before meds, was 5am I'm 52 now and learned to tolerate it.

[@dodgdurango6128]

I find that i fall asleep early in the morning after a night of tossing and turning. apparently that’s typical for bipolar disorder

[@LIVdaBrand]

It’s rough! We are geniuses by definition but it’s hard to sleep. Thanks for reducing the stigma! I will be doing my own brain research on BP disorder: starting in Denmark🇩🇰

[@chieduegwim8728]

How do you curtail or manage increase in blood pressure due to insomnia or lack of sleep whilst treating and managing bipolar??

[@e.1112]

Sleep in itself is like the best mood stabilizer , bad sleep bad mood. …..😢

[@suzanneward-crowe2385]

I sleep half the day away. Sleep mostly during daytime and get up around 6 or 7pm. Want to turn this around. So hard to do.

[@mawkeechin5447]

Thank you for sharing this

[@elimiller1249]

Would love to be able to reach out and talk with one of you about sleeping/eating with BP I have been doing well for about 2 years and feel like I do okay getting out of the cycles. But when I cannot sleep it makes days incredibly tough. Please reach out to me or I can reach out to you. I really enjoyed this video and know it’s important to keep a close line of support.

[@CRESTBD]

Hi Eli! It's good to hear you've been doing well. While it's not possible to make appointments with our network members, Professor Murray will be appearing again at a new #TalkBD webinar on September 23rd (the 24th in Australia): us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y6Tds-OHSQmMDYi8Gp9isg If you have questions for Professor Murray, you can submit them in advance here: www.crestbd.ca/talkbd/#submit-question I hope this might be helpful. Take care!

[@melissanichilo8176]

Hi, Eli. I'm so glad to hear you're doing well. I could use some advice if you see this. stay well 💚

[@Sunflowers-like-these]

As a woman who has been dealing with bipolar disorder for decades, I know that sleep is actually a barometer of how I can predict how my mania and depression are going to affect me, in terms of intensity and duration. Also, I do find that naps during the day help in my cognitive functioning, but I often struggle with not being able to sleep at night. Thank you for your every informative and thoughtful insight.

[@LearningRunner]

About Naps, rules I swear by: No naps that go after 3pm. Never nap more than 25minutes (unless you do the full 90minutes EARLY!). Naps are best in the late morning to 2pm, as everybody gets a "post-lunch dip" in energy. It is why you get sleepy about 1-2 pm despite whether you ate or not. Get light after you nap. Some people (if you aren't as sensitive to Caffiene like to take caffiene right before their nap, or afterwards, do this probably during early naps so caffiene doesn't mess up your night sleep. Finally: any nap is a good nap, I have often done 10min, 7min, and even 5min naps and they are so refreshing and rejuvenating😊

[@m.i.t.h.]

...Sleep? What's that again? It's been a while...

[@zachmcgrain7815]

I have a friend with Bi-polar disorder on 80 mg of medication which I think is Geodon and 5mg Kilonapin.. twice a day. Should they be sleeping all day and not get out of bed pretty much just use restroom?

[@elimiller1249]

I had a bad experience with GEODON and it took a number on me physically and mentally. I couldn’t move for three days. I did my research and had my psychiatrist do a saliva test to see how I metabolize medicine.

[@zachmcgrain7815]

@@elimiller1249 Thank you for the reply. My friend feels they need the medication to maintain a level headed from day to day. I`m an outsider looking in and would never act to know what is best. It`s hard having a friend you would like to go out with ,but they are literally in bed 15 hrs or more a day. There was a past opiate addiction and I wonder if the Kilonopin is the friend to that past addiction.

[@geoffmathieux5195]

Why don't all bipolar patients get tested for sleep apnea? Treat the cause, not the symptoms.

[@melissanichilo8176]

thank you for saying how we all probably feel. I know I do