Because body chemistries may be so different, it's difficult to know just what will help with insomnia, but there are some things that have worked for me that I will share with you--bearing in mind that we're all different, please.

I'll begin by saying this: it is a known fact that the longer we take a drug, the more likely we may be to develop an intolerance to it over the years.

Stop having wheat in your diet at night, at least. We don't have to have grains to thrive, and evidence is mounting now that they may cause cerebral injury for those sensitive to them. Cutting back at least after lunch may help keep you calm in thinking. It may be the gluten that is bothersome for many.

Cut a lemon in half in the afternoon and squeeze it into a glass of ice cold water. If, after 4 hours, you don't feel calm, repeat the process. Lemons are probably the most alkaline food we can ingest, although they taste bitter. They are transformed during digestion into strongly alkaline residue which is very calming for the system.

All meds leave an acidic residue. If you can avoid having to take meds before bedtime, you'll be better off to do so. They can create excessive acidic residue in your fluids and tissues which is inflammatory. (Even an aspirin, according to my psychiatrist, may be beneficial.)

Cut back on so much meat in the diet, eating more fish, green vegetables, salads, and fresh fruit.

Add about a gram of Omega 3-6 fatty acids to your diet daily. They are known now to reduce inflammation and are calming mentally. I rate them as No.2 in diet changes that are helpful. Rather than drink milk, try a calcium supplement recommended by your physician. (Always choose pharmaceutical grade vitamins and minerals if you use them.)

If you are sensitive to caffeine in any forms, whether in tea, coffee, chocolate or anything else, you should stop using it. It plays havoc with those who are sensitive to it.

Bipolar illness is a chemical imbalance; it is also an inflammation of a portion of the brain in which the brain fires too rapidly. Doctors don't know why yet (via psychiatrist). Please Google www.http://doctoryourself.com and look down the left-hand column until you see an article called "Caffeine Allergy" by Ruth Whalen. It clearly implies that bipolar illness may be, in part, a cerebral allergy and that caffeine (for those sensitive to it) may play a major role in the serious consequences of indulging in caffeine.

Whatever we can do to reduce the acidic residue of medications may be helpful for us. After months of exercising some of the principles of diet changes to improve mental clarity and rest you may find that you feel better than you have in years. In some cases, it is possible even to reduce the amount of medications necessary to have chemical stability in brain function.

Please try to investigate these things, including the use of a food med now called Deplin (a form of concentrated Vitamin B9 which can cross the blood-brain barrier and is helpful for those who do not manufacture the enzymes necessary to metabolize folic acid for brain consumption).

It's all out there and if you have a good psychiatrist, he's going to know about some of these new discoveries that are beneficial for the bipolar patient and will recommend them. If your doctor has asked you to cut back on caffeine use, he is one who knows about that.

I am very wary of physicians who just keep pouring on the medications.

I have found that a mineral called molybdenum is very helpful in calming the
rapidity of thoughts, too.

Take care and I hope you find the things that will work for you.