Relation Between Insomnia And Bipolar Disorder

Up to 70 of bipolar disorder patients report insomnia 8 which is associated with risk for relapse and suicide attempts 9.
Relation between insomnia and bipolar disorder. Insomnia has a bidirectional relationship with depression and anxiety. But insomnia and the associated sleep loss inherent to bipolar disorder aren t just symptoms of mania. In bipolar depression however studies report that 23 to 78 of patients sleep excessively hypersomnia while others may experience insomnia or restless sleep. The body needs a regular amount of sleep in order to function properly and suffering from insomnia can have a huge effect on people.
Studies in different populations report that 69 to 99 of patients experience insomnia or report less need for sleep during a manic episode of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental condition. A review published in 2017 concluded that up to 40 of people with bipolar disorder also meet criteria for ptsd. During episodes of depression insomnia or hypersomnia are common.
The irony of the relationship between insomnia and bipolar disorder is that staying up late or going without sleep can cause insomnia the inability to fall asleep and lack of sleep can also trigger a bipolar episode especially a manic or hypomanic episode. Reduced need for sleep is a classic symptom of mania. Stimulus control and sleep restriction are powerful clinically useful behavioral interventions for insomnia typically delivered as part of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia cbt i. Even in the inter episode period sleep is disturbed.
Bipolar disorder may affect sleep in many ways. It is not entirely surprising that high rates of ptsd are found among people with bipolar disorder as many people with bipolar also have a history of traumatic exposure. Sleep patterns including insomnia are affected by any number of physical mental emotional and even social issues. Sleep disturbance is common in bipolar disorder.
For example it can lead to. These changes in mood can cause major changes in mood energy and. Reduced sleep can also trigger manic episodes and is a good predictor of the onset of mania. Both involve short term sleep deprivation.
It causes extreme shifts in mood that may range from high highs to low lows. Even medications for bipolar disorder may cause sleep problems. The depressed phase of bipolar is characterized by hypersomnia where a person sleeps for extended periods or naps frequently throughout the day.