Hey Dog, nice to meet ya!

I think you hit the nail on the head when you spoke of sleep and the role it plays with our bp illness, even normal everyday emotions. Lack of sleep exagerates everything, making the bad feel horrible and the good, too good to be true.

Everyone is different, but finding a sleep routine is essential. I know, I know, I'm one to talk when I have 3 sleepless nights in a row and hallucinating. The key, however, is consistancy in your sleep schedule regardless of whether you "feel like it" or not. Go to bed at the same time every night. The bed is only for sex and sleeping...not eating and watching tv or someplace to do your homework. Make your bed everyday so when you go to bed the sheets and pillows and comforter and everything are nice and fresh to crawl under. When you can't sleep and you've given it your best shot, get up and find something to do...read, come here and post, play music...just as long as it's nothing "stimulating", maintain relaxation outlets.

Believe me, I know this is easier said than done...especially when manic, but once you get the hang of it, fall into a routine, it does get easier.

Hope this helps. TgrsPurr, xo.