There are 3 kinds of sleepers. Short sleepers average around 5 hours and wake up feeling refreshed. Average sleepers need that 7-8 we usually hear about and some assume is optimal, but it's only optimal if it's your nature. Then you have long sleepers which need 10 plus hours. When I'm stable, I usually sleep about 10 hours, I NEVER FEEL REFRESHED unless I'm manic or hypo. I also experience periods of insomnia if I'm very stressed or depressed....or sometimes when depressed or very sick I sleep 18 plus hours.

I can tell I'm sleepy when my eyes get tired. I try to keep a schedule but it doesn't work for me. When I'm sick, migrainy or in pain, I MUST sleep if I can....it's a life saver when I'm very ill. Sometimes I lay in bed even if I'm not tired....sometimes I will fall asleep anyways and other times I can lay there for hours and not sleep.