Nobody functions at their best without enough shut-eye, but for people with bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression), sleep problems can spell serious trouble.
In fact, the relationship between bipolar disorder and sleep issues is a two-way street. Poor sleep can worsen symptoms of bipolar disorder, and bipolar symptoms can interfere with your ability to sleep, says Jennifer Martin, PhD, president of the board of directors for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and a professor of medicine at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine in Los Angeles.
Scientists haven’t yet pinpointed the connection between poor sleep and bipolar disorder. Sleep disorders are almost universal during major mood episodes for people with bipolar. But even between episodes, they have poorer sleep than people without bipolar, according to research. Read more in Everyday Health.