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I often do question sessions on my Julie Fast Instagram. \u00a0Here\u2019s a post on how to sleep better when you have bipolar disorder:<\/p>\n
Bipolar is basically a sleep disorder.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Managing sleep is the number one way to manage this illness. Sleep is nature\u2019s medicine.<\/p>\n
Managing sleep requires consistency<\/strong>. I know that what I\u2019m about to say is hard to hear… but we don\u2019t get to manage sleep on some nights, party on other nights and stay up gaming the rest and expect ourselves to manage bipolar. That\u2019s simply not how it works.<\/p>\n
Practice good sleep behaviors every night.<\/strong> You\u2019ll see an enormous difference. Yes, it\u2019s a trade off. No, it\u2019s not fair. But it\u2019s our life.<\/p>\n
Sleep podcasts are the greatest thing ever!<\/strong> I use the Sleep with Me Podcast Sleep with Me Podcast<\/a> every night. You can also try Moshi Sleep \u00a0Moshi Sleep \u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n
If you\u2019re having sleep problems, check your meds.<\/strong> Antidepressants are not indicated for bipolar and the majority of them will cause problems. ADD meds cause problems. But most importantly, we have trouble with hypnotics such as Ambien and many over-the-counter sleep products as they can make us slightly psychotic while sleeping. Once again, not fair! But our reality. And of course, NO caffeine until the sleep is figured out. Damn! I know!<\/p>\n
Learn about the circadian rhythm.<\/strong> Bipolar reacts greatly to time changes. This is why travel is so hard for us. When I say go to bed on the same day you woke up, this means following the body\u2018s natural sleep rhythm. We simply do better staying up during daylight and going to sleep at night. It has to do with the balance of melatonin and serotonin.<\/p>\n