Bipolar Disorder is a Fascinating Illness

A few ideas to ponder. I’d love to hear your views as well.


 
1. Restlessness. This can be mental or physical. It’s a definite symptom of mania, but I also think it’s a personality trait of many of us with this illness. We simply crave change and can have trouble saying no to something new, even though it’s not good for us!
 
2. Bipolar disorder is a sleep disorder. All people with bipolar disorder have sleep problems. The more we learn about the genetics of the circadian rhythm, the closer we get to a bipolar disorder cure. I believe this!
 
3. Bipolar disorder is a lifestyle illness– this means that our lifestyle choices affect our moods. Changes in lifestyle can be as powerful as medications.
 
4. Much of what we know is still in the chicken or the egg stage. For example, does lack of sleep cause mania or do we have sleep problems because the mania is already there? It’s fascinating.
 
What parts of bipolar disorder do you find interesting? Julie

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