There is no doubt that family history of bipolar and early childhood sexual abuse can be contributing factors and relate to poor sleep. A child whose sleep is disrupted by a family abuser, who experiences horrifying nightmares, and who wets her bed until age nine will to a certainty be subject to sleep disorders. So this kind of study requires further analysis, natural sleep patterns are forever shattered by loss of a sense of safety at a very young age and bipolar disease naturally follows.
nobody ever wants to talk about abuse - definately not if its incest - but i have to agree with every single thing that anon said - the people researching this must know that there is a STRONG correlation between childhood abuse and bipolar - as a child i was too scared to go to sleep -wetted the bed up until 9/10 years of age and had terrible nigthmares - but then i also want to say - as tinkerbell did - i CANNOT get my brain to switch off or get to sleep without medication - i'll literally keep going until i collapse - usually three days later
I have had many great disappointments with pretty well all the pharma meds and combinations over the years for the Bipolar/Manic Depression. Nothing seemed to work, and I lived with clinical depression for years. But one single thing that all my Psychiatrists have been supportive of - they ensured that I was able to take effective meds to help me sleep. So, yes, childhood Bipolar certainly does need more research as it relates to incest and chaotic sleep.
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I'm relieved to hear there are studies for children regarding Bipolar Disorder and that they're finding a link with the circadian rhythm. I'm 48 and have always had severe sleep disturbances. I'm not a bit surprised our internal clock has something to do with our bipolar...seem like I've always known they were connected! To this day, I literally cannot shut off my brain unless medicated...I will just go on for days 'n days which naturally leads to a very nasty manic cycle. So, here's hoping the researchers out there can find a cure for all of us with bipolar!
Happy Hugs to All!