[Phoenix_1]

I have 5 days to go before major surgery - I'm having a total knee replacement. I'll have to use a walker for 6 weeks and a cane after that. It's so important to keep a positive attitude - an "I can do it" attitude, so that I can endure the pain of surgery and learn to walk again. I am all alone with no one to help or support me. My 2 daughters don't live nearby and their kids are in school, so they can't just take off to be with me.

I was hypomanic this summer. It's all gone. I can feel myself sliding into the pit of depression. The black dogs are coming for me.

If I deliberately sleep only 2 hours a night from now until Thursday, can I make the hypomania come back?

[Samanthagreene]

Lack of sleep definitely affects moods, but I'm not sure which way. I think it could cause depression or hypomania.

[A Red Panda]

It can cause either one, I think it's dependent on who you are.

I wouldn't risk it, honestly. Especially if you feel like you're already heading into a depression. I find when I'm in or near a depression, lack of sleep has a hugely negative impact on me.

If I'm not getting sleep when I'm baseline and am not sleeping because I am busy with things, it might help kickjump an up. Or it might put me into a depression if I feel too exhausted and overwhelmed. It really depends.

[Victoria'smom]

I would really think about trying to rest and eat healthy right now because you'll heal faster.

[florica]

I was never able to deliberately bring on a hypomanic episode myself, back when I was dumb enough to try. I barely need sleep when it's happening and I believe lack of sleep makes it worse, but barely sleeping doesn't seem to cause it for me.

I would caution against trying to trigger it though, especially if you're already starting to feel depressed. What lack of sleep does is introduce instability, and the outcome is out of your hands. You could induce a mixed state. I've been dealing with the dyshporic version of hypomania this summer myself, and it's like being stuck in a nightmare. Hypomania isn't always the positive energy. Or you could just make your depression worse. Or you could bring on anxiety.

I would recommend listening to Miguel'smom and focus on resting and being healthy right now.

[wotchermuggle]

After your surgery, you are likely going to be sleeping more as you'll be exhausted so what you do now likely isn't going to affect that. I'd sleep and be healthy for your surgery so you can get better faster and avoid the depression.

[Phoenix_1]

Thank you for the good advice everyone.
I went out for lunch for a school friend, then came home and was so sleepy that I had a 2 hour nap. I just woke up and I feel better now.

[Mollywisk]

Are you going home alone after the surgery or are you getting rehab somewhere ?

[Phoenix_1]

I'll be in hospital 4-5 days. They begin rehab the first day after surgery. Then I go home alone. My kids don't live here and I have no other family. My grandkids are all in school so my daughters aren't able to come.

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