Sleep and Bipolar Episodes - A Vicious Circle

Scientists are exploring the link between "clock" genes and bipolar disorder. For example, 2008 study found that a mutation in the core clock gene in mice produced hyperactivity and mania-like behavior. And as I wrote in Mood Disorders and Sleep, a short night can actually cause manic or hypomanic episodes. There's a lot of variance. I find that insomnia has a depressive effect on my mood, while hypersomnia (sleeping too much) is a symptom of my depression. Yet when I am hypomanic, I do have a decreased need for sleep. I am at my best when I consistently get 8 or 9 hours of restful sleep - or is it that I get 8 or 9 hours of sleep when I'm at my best? Some tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil (amitriptyline) are known to have a beneficial effect on sleep, but the side effects, particularly substantial weight gain, may prove troublesome. More and more, researchers are looking at resetting the daily sleep cycle by means other than medication. Both light therapy for depression and dark therapy for hypo/mania have had some success. Resetting the circadian clock using zeitgebers is something I expect we'll hear more and more about as time passes. One treatment being looked at is to have people in hypo/mania wear "blue blocking" sunglasses. Meanwhile, doing what you can to regulate your own sleep cycle can only be beneficial to you at all times.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Learn more or join the conversation! NEWSLETTER ...
Source: About.com Bipolar Disorder - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news