During depression, sleep disruptions are commonly exhibited as hypersomnia or excessive sleepiness. Hypersomnia is highly prevalent in bipolar disorder with rates ranging from 38% to 78% of bipolar patients.
Some evidence suggests that multiple biological factors could contribute to the relationship between bipolar disorder and hypersomnia. For example, a 2021 literature review notes that a potential link between bipolar and a disruption of circadian rhythm could explain the changes in sleep.
If you are experiencing the highs of bipolar disorder (mania), you may suddenly need dramatically fewer hours of sleep to stay alert and energized. For example, someone who regularly sleeps eight hours may feel rested on only four hours of sleep.
Bipolar and the desire for excessive sleep are common. This leaves people with bipolar disorder sleeping all day. This is particularly the case during a bipolar depressive episode but can also be a lingering symptom when others have remitted.
Though they often go hand-in-hand, brain fog is different from fatigue. Fatigue may feel like a combination of being tired and a lack of motivation to pursue your usual activities, like household chores, paying bills, or getting work done.
After a manic or hypomanic episode you might: Feel very unhappy or ashamed about how you behaved. Have made commitments or taken on responsibilities that now feel unmanageable. Have only a few clear memories of what happened during your episode, or none at all.
Bipolar disorder is characterised by extreme mood swings. These can range from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows (depression). Episodes of mania and depression often last for several days or longer.
No two people with bipolar disorder share the same thoughts or experiences, but there are some common thought patterns among most folks who have it. This includes cyclical thinking, manic and/or depressive episodes, suicidal ideation, and psychosis.
A manic episode can cause a person with bipolar disorder to experience hypersexuality. They may feel as if their sex drive is always very high, which can create difficulties. People experiencing hypersexuality may never feel satisfied with sex.
Dealing with the ups and downs of bipolar disorder can be difficult—and not just for the person with the illness. The moods and behaviors of a person with bipolar disorder affect everyone around—especially family members and close friends. It can put a strain on your relationship and disrupt all aspects of family life.
People living with or caring for someone with bipolar disorder can have a tough time. During episodes of illness, the personalities of people with bipolar disorder may change, and they may become abusive or even violent. Sometimes social workers and the police may become involved.
Chronic medical conditions and mental health disorders are often accompanied by daytime sleepiness. Common culprits include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, lupus, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer, chronic pain, obesity. View Source , and hypothyroidism, among others.
Bipolar disorder may worsen with age or over time if the condition is left untreated. As time goes on, a person may experience episodes that are more severe and more frequent than when symptoms first appeared.
Genes. Bipolar disorder often runs in families, and research suggests this is mostly explained by heredity—people with certain genes are more likely to develop bipolar disorder than others. Many genes are involved, and no one gene can cause the disorder.
Bipolar disorder can cause your mood to swing from an extreme high to an extreme low. Manic symptoms can include increased energy, excitement, impulsive behaviour, and agitation. Depressive symptoms can include lack of energy, feeling worthless, low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts.
Grandiosity and overconfidence. Easy tearfulness, frequent sadness. Needing little sleep to feel rested. Uncharacteristic impulsive behavior.
Sometimes bipolar symptoms start in childhood or later in life. However, the most frequent range of onset is between the ages of 14 to 21 years. Childhood bipolar is relatively rare, with only up to 3% of children receiving this diagnosis.
Purpose of review: People with persistent depressive disorders and with bipolar disorder are more likely to feel lonely than people in the general population.
My short answer is: Yes, a person who lives with bipolar disorder can certainly be truly happy. But I think I can understand the concerns behind the question. If you have experienced disruptive or dangerous episodes of mania, you may worry that feeling happy is just a first step toward another damaging episode.
Manic episodes cause euphoria, exaggerated self-confidence, racing thoughts, high energy and activity levels, and risk-taking behaviors. Depressive episodes are characterized by excessive sadness, lack of energy, loss of interest in activities, changes in eating and sleeping behaviors, and suicidal thoughts.