Sleep is important to everyone’s health. For someone with severe bipolar disorder like me, it is critical. If I’m not sleeping well and on a schedule, I can trigger episodes. I am conscientious to go to bed at 9:30 pm-ish and get up at 6 am-ish. Lately, I have been sleeping too much. I’ve been going to bed around 8:30 pm and getting up around 7:30 am. I’m also taking a couple of hours’ nap every day. 

To most people, this may seem like an overregimented routine. To someone like me with severe bipolar disorder, it is life and death. That is not a platitude. Interrupted sleep can cause a manic episode, and then I am a danger to myself and others. I get hostile when I’m manic. It’s scary. It’s like somewhere deep, deep inside the real me is crying out for help, but I can’t hear him. 

I try my best to sleep according to the schedule above. I try not to have too much screen time right before bed. Also, taking my medications about an hour before bed helps. I’m not on anything super sedating, but they are mildly sedating. The mild sleepiness from the medication helps me relax and fall asleep. Another big thing I’m careful about, as I’m drinking a cup of coffee in the afternoon, is not to drink caffeine in the afternoon or evening. Caffeine definitely messes with my sleep. 

Sleep is so very critical for my mental health, and at times it can be kinda a bummer because I used to like staying up late and watching a movie or partying with friends late into the night. But I can’t do those things anymore, it’s just too dangerous. That being said, I just feel better when I’m getting a good night’s sleep on a regular schedule.