So, here I sit; it's about 1AM, and I'm unable to sleep again. As a byproduct of my Bipolar no doubt, my mind will not let my body rest. I've tried everything to bring my mind and body to a normal cycle in which the rest of the world operates soundly. However, giving up caffiene, going to bed at the same time every night, even listening to CDs that have nothing but nature haven't led to consistent success. My mind still finds a way to stay busy and find stimulation even to the sounds of birds and other wildlife on a cool morning in Cape Cod. I try to surrender myself to that moment and my mind still finds triggers from the chirps of the birds to fly off into tangents. Trouble is, I'll be successful for a week, rarely sometimes two, and then boom! Back to random nights of two hours of sleep followed by 14 the next night. I'm writing in hopes that any of you might have suggestions? Might understand what I'm going through? Has anyone had this problem at this degree of severity? If so, I'd like your insight on how you deal with it. Much thanks!
Adam
Adam: What exactly is going on precisely, at this time in your life, that is either negative, anxiety provoking, distressing, exciting, nerve wacking, causing boredom, etc...?
Something, more than likely, is going on and your mind is trying to sort it all out and thus, won't shut down or calm down long enough for sleep.
Those with Bipolar, prodominatly (?sp) do not handle change nor stress (good stress or bad stress) well. No, not well at all. The stress could be something so minutely small but so overwhelmingly powerful that it's causing your system to not regulate OR the sleep meds, if you have any, to not work as well.
Just a thought.
BTW, I'm doing the same thing at the moment. I can't sleep and I can't fall asleep. Brain is just running and running and I can't get it to settle. Even my dreams seem disjointed, when I do sleep. My thoughts are so pieced together but nothing cohesive as I try to sleep and while awakening. Brain and mind always seemingly to be running and churning.
I have no job and thus no income and my meager savings is dwindling fast and my job prospects are very thin. I also have other concerns as well and all of these are swirling and churning up there in the old noggin. I know this is why I'm not sleeping or not sleeping very long and as a result, I'm ramping back up inwardly.
I've been trying to take long hot baths, listening to classical "pretty" music as I sleep, keeping the room dark and cool, not watching TV for at least 2 hours prior to... not napping during the day, getting good and tired by doing something physical early in the day (chores, yard work, exercise, etc..) and even reading a good quiet book to distract my thoughts.
Some nights it works really well and then there are other nights, not so much.
Tabby,
thanks so much for the wonderful explanation of what is happening in the brain of a bipolar...yep...my therapist has told me the same things a few different times!
It's nice to have it in writing and also some things that have helped you. I find long baths, music, lessening of TV/Computer stimulation all help. Trying to read a really boring book right before bed too. Camomile tea, valerian, no caffeine at all...they can help too.
But as you say, when the brain is trying to sort, it just won't shut down. So hard to understand but that's the way it is.
Blessings,
Shelly
See, that's the thing. Other than the disease itself and the fact it's stalling my life, there's nothing that's really bothering me or stressing me out. If that itself causes this then dang! But I don't just lay around after trying to fall asleep for about a half hour and I've tried tea, music, and all of that stuff and for the most part, no go. Haven't taken any sleep meds, but that's because I'm on so many other meds that I'm not sure what good they'll do or if there are any that won't disagree with what I'm taking now. I do treasure the rest I get, what little is not marred by light sleeping and weird dreams. I just want to know if there are any other things you all know of that I haven't tried. Thanks for your comments.