Bipolar Disorder And Insomnia

What’s the connection between bipolar disorder and insomnia?

Sleep disturbance is a significant feature of bipolar disorder, and is one of several criterion used for diagnosis, as it is a frequent symptom of both mania and depression.

During manic episodes it’s common to feel a decreased need for sleep, or suffer from insomnia. But bipolar disorder and insomnia, and the associated sleep loss isn’t just a symptom of mania; reduced sleep can also trigger manic episodes and is a good predictor of the onset of mania.

The depressed phase of bipolar is characterized by hypersomnia, where a person sleeps for extended periods or naps frequently throughout the day. This irregularity in sleeping patterns then tends to increase the risk of new episodes of mania or depression.

Interestingly, research has found that disrupted sleep patterns are common in people with bipolar disorder even between bipolar episodes. For reasons not yet understood, people with bipolar disorder have more delicate body clocks.

The treatment of sleep disturbances and maintaining a regular sleep/wake cycle are important components in the prevention of mood episodes in bipolar disorder.

Circadian Rhythms & Bipolar

Scientific research suggests that the Clock gene, which regulates the body's circadian rhythms, may be involved in the development of bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder generally have irregularities in their circadian functions, including the body clock and its sleep/wake cycle.

Exhaustion, sleeplessness and disruptions to sleep patterns can trigger a bipolar episode. Establishing and maintaining a regular sleep/wake schedule, as well as stabilizing the circadian rhythm, are the primary elements of a relatively new treatment for bipolar disorder.

Some scientists believe that the increase of bipolar disorder in modern times is caused by the widespread use of artificial light. Before artificial light people's sleep/wake cycles were regulated by the sun; it is possible that people who are genetically predisposed to bipolar disorder may develop the condition without the overall patterns of dark and light changing slowly and naturally.

Regular Sleep Helps Bipolar

Deep restful sleep is of particular importance to manic depressives, as bipolar disorder can impair judgement and lack of sleep can exacerbate this.

Daytime mood regulation and night-time sleep form a two-way relationship; once rhythms are disturbed such as with bipolar disorder and insomnia, a self-perpetuating cycle can begin where moods interfere with sleep and then disrupted sleep affects mood regulation the following day.

It is recommended that people suffering from bipolar disorder insomnia and hypersomnia go to bed at the same time each day, and get up at the same time. Regular schedules and sleep patterns have a positive affect on bipolar treatment and it is advised that activities that disturb normal routines be avoided.

Re-establishing and maintaining a regular sleep, meal and activity schedule is one of the reasons why a stay in a bipolar treatment center can be such effective therapy. For a comprehensive reference, check out Bipolar Lives excellent resource page on Bipolar Treatment Centers.

Bipolar Sleep Tips

• Determine your need for sleep and meet it nightly.

• Go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time.

• Create a bed-time routine.

• Limit napping to one short, early afternoon nap.

• Use a journal to record any thoughts that might be keeping you awake.

• Try relaxation tapes and techniques.

• Exercise regularly.

• Avoid caffeine.

• Avoid alcohol.

• Reduce stress levels with Binaural Beats.
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