Bipolar Disorder and Sleep:Euphoric Mania vs. Insomnia

People with insomnia count sheep. People with mania draw sheep and make a collage!

Manic sleeping problems are different from insomnia in many ways-

with insomnia you’re tired, you want to sleep, you toss and turn, you

worry about how worn out you will be in the morning and you often want

medication relief.

I need a Tylenol PM!

With euphoric mania-  Whew! You want to stay up, you’re wide awake and doing

something creative. You have unlimited energy, a racing mind, and rapid

body movements.  You have no desire to get in bed and sleeping feels like a

total waste of time. When the euphoria gets too high, it takes a lot of

psychiatric medication to get to sleep (and you definitely don’t want to

take them and wreck your buzz!) and there is a chance you will be wide

awake and even more manic the next day…….

Here are some of the things you may think when you’re manic at night:

- Sleep is SUCH a waste of time.  I am so much more productive now.

- It’s only 1:00 AM. I could go to the grocery store right now!

- The tile really needs to come up in the bathroom.

- I have not had sex in a long time and tonight is the night. Watch out!

These manic thoughts can be funny- but many people act on them.  When you have insomnia, you just lie in bed and punch your pillow and wish you could just get some sleep so you won’t be tired the next day. It never feels good.

Euphoric mania feels good.

If you’re on the outside of this mania looking in, it’s very important to know that the manic brain is not really hearing you. It’s hearing that you want to ruin its FUN.  The manic person can get very angry and say, “I’m not manic! I’m just finally feeling better! Why burst my bubble!!!”  Mania is definitely treatable- but out of all of the mood swings, mania needs an aggressive prevention plan. It’s just too dangerous if it goes too far.

Like many people, my euphoric mania  focuses on money, men, alcohol and travel.  I never want to sleep when I get this way- interestingly, all of the items on that list are dangerous when it’s late at night!

Tips:

1. Monitor your sleep. If you have been manic before,what were the signs? The minute you notice these signs, take action and get help.

2. Ask others to be honest and tell you if they think you are manic. Deal with the anger you will feel and get help.

3. If you care about someone with bipolar disorder, use the Health Cards to create a plan. Trying to talk to someone who denies mania or who is manic is basically impossible. The best plan is to plan ahead with a plan!

The next time I am lying in bed with eyes wide open, I hope it’s insomnia. It’s much safer.

Julie

 

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