Posted by speedy on January 28, 2001, at 15:14:25
In reply to sleep for bipolars, posted by super on January 9, 2001, at 8:46:24
> I am interested in how other people with bipolar disorder try to keep their sleep under control. I know I need 8 hours but I get so much energy at night that I can't sleep, and then I still have to get up for work early. The next night, same thing: even though I was tired at work, I get wound up again. If I take a nap during the day, then it is even worse. For about a year, I was very good about getting seven or eight hours, but at that time, my whole life was structured to support my newfound stability. Then I started to feel more confident about being stable and I wanted to live again, so I started dating and going out more and this winds me up. I used to take Xanax to sleep but it doesn't work very well anymore. I'm sure I could get a better sleep med from my dr. but I was wondering what others do in terms of lifestyle. Do you tell friends not to call you after a certain hour? Do you make yourself go to bed even if you are feeling wound up? Do you meditate? What works? Should I just give up on trying to get a lot of sleep (and maybe if I stop worrying about it, the insomnia won't be so bad)? During the week, I average about five or six hours. I think I would be more stable and productive if I got more.
>I'm very sensitive to disturbances in s/w cycle with that being my #1 trigger for 15 years. I've come to accept that I can't 'play' at night. I also have had good results with anti-seizure meds using the lowest possible dose that works. Developing a routine associated with bedtime helps as does very light exercise.
poster:speedy
thread:3805
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010105/msgs/4240.html