[JoyDivision7680]

Is it normal to always feel sleepy? It doesn't matter if I'm in a hypomanic phase, with all the elation and energy, my body is still sleepy, only that I fall asleep a lot harder and I usually wake up at least a few minutes earlier. Oh, and usually when I wake up, be it in the morning or in the middle of the night, my head is so full of thoughts and confusion. I even forget my name for a few seconds. When I'm depressed, I fall asleep easier and wake up in the morning without forgetting who I am. And, of course, I'm still tired, as opposed to when I'm hypomanic.

Joy, I'm always tired. I'm rarely hypo manic; I get manic, and still feel sleepy, but then I just don't want to sleep.

[Mickey4333]

Have you checked with your pdoc? You may be having side effects of meds.

[wildflowerchild25]

I go through tired phases that last a couple of months. Times where I will just be exhausted no matter what my mood is like and no matter how much sleep I get. At these times I start to wonder if I should get my blood checked for a deficiency of some sort...but I never do because I hate doctors. At most I'll throw in an iron supplement since I do tend to get anemic. And then it will go away and I'll be normal for awhile.

This has gone on for a very long time, at least seven years, if not longer. I've never figured out why but since I spent most if those years off meds I know it's not that.

[hamster-bamster]

I would think that forgetting your name might be dissociation. Also, there are drugs - Nuvigil and Provigil - that somebody on this board once reported using with success (and, she said they were cheaper than coffee).

[hamster-bamster]

Sorry, I did not notice that you are in Eastern Europe.

Nuvigil and Provigil are US drugs approved by the FDA (sort of ministry of health in the States) to treat disorders associated with shift work and other kinds of sleep disturbances. basically they keep you awake. I do not know if they are available in Europe, though.

[JoyDivision7680]

@jeffro+@wildflowerchild In that case, I supposed it's normal to feel sleepy. I'm anemic too.

@Mickey I'm off meds

@hamster You mean, as in DID? I don't think so...I hope not. It lasts for a few seconds, right after waking up. I'm very-very confused and my mind is being invaded with lots of thoughts. What I do have is derealization. I often feel like I'm dreaming that I'm in my room, doing my usual stuff while I'm actually doing that. It's like being in two places at the same time, only that I'm in the same place - nevermind, it's complicated.

If you're anemic thats your answer right there. Classic symptom of low iron levels. Get yourself to a GP to get some bloodwork done, you may need a stronger supplement than what is available over the counter.

[Curiosity77]

Dissociation occurs in several disorders, and is similar to depersonalization. DID is a very extreme example. Most dissociation is transitory. I don't know if that's what happens with you when you forget your name, but it's a possibility. You also might just be momentarily disoriented because you are just waking up, or it could be related to a medical condition, or it could be related to medications (likely possibility). I wouldn't get too alarmed, but it's worth talking to your doctor about it,

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JoyDivision7680]

It's really annoying because I've been anemic for as far as I can rememer, but such symptoms have never ocurred before, it's something "fresh".

[catsrhelm]

I can remember when I was in depression I was always tired and sleepy. Naps didn't help. A change in medications did help, so maybe that is what you need.

[JoyDivision7680]

I'm not taking any medication neither I intend to.

[venusss]

Originally Posted by JoyDivision7680

It's really annoying because I've been anemic for as far as I can rememer, but such symptoms have never ocurred before, it's something "fresh".

did you recently change diet or other habbits?

[Standup2me]

I tend to be the opposite.
I sleep wonderfully, for about 4 hours, and then wide awake
Zoplicone helps with it.

I've found that Prozac made me sleepy though

[JoyDivision7680]

@Venus No. Well, perhaps I eat less, but other than that there have been no changes.
@ Standup2me I wish I were like you! Except if you are still feeling sleepy after the 4-hour sleep. I've come to dislike sleeping because of all these symptoms in the morning.

[Standup2me]

I've quit drinking coffee, thinking that it might help
Can you imagine???? No coffee?????????

[JoyDivision7680]

I can since I was never a fan of coffee I'm addicted to energy drinks though, I even overdosed on coffeine last Friday due to my addiction.
It's true that I'm a heavy user of caffeine (Pepsi, energy drinks, etc.)...

[Standup2me]

Pepsi....yum!
I may have quit coffee, but I still teasure my Diet Pepsi(s)

[JoyDivision7680]

Alright, from time to time I do enjoy a cup or two of coffee. Like today. I drank two from the coffee machine and it triggered a hypomanic episode. Oddly, after overdosing on Friday, I'm more susceptible to hypomania whenever caffeine enters my body. In the past I could drink two coffees and feel absolutely nothing. It's great though, I wonder if I could remain hypomanic forever with a little help from caffeine

Energy drinks and caffeine are certainly not going to help at all! I didnt even know you could overdose on caffeine. Hope you and your heart are ok after that. Your body could still be recovering from that shock to the system if this tiredness is "fresh".

Its quite important for people with anxiety and bipolar to steer clear of caffeine if it has adverse effects on them. It can really affect your sleep cycles which then brings on mood episodes. Not to mention the "ups" and "crashes" you get from using substances like this.

It sounds like your body is showing you signs that it is not happy with your lifestyle choices - look after it, its the only one you have!

[JoyDivision7680]

What is 'fresh' it's the confusion from the morning, the tiredness is very old.

Any dose of caffeine equal or bigger than 320mg is considered overdose.
I know it's not very healthy, but I can't help it, my mind is craving for an energy drink! I'd love have one right now...

What are your anxiety levels like? Recently, I've realized that sometimes I feel exhausted not because I'm depressed or tired per se, but because I have a high level of baseline anxiety. Relaxation techniques like aromatherapy, drinking chamomile tea, warm showers with lavender bath gel, etc. help calm me down and rejuvenate me. This might seem funny, since chamomile and lavender are generally used to aid sleep. Anxiety uses up a lot of the body's energy, so if you can reduce that, you'll naturally feel more alert and energetic.

[JoyDivision7680]

I suspect my anxiety level is moderate.
Those techniques sound interesting, I'll definitely try them. Thanks a lot!

[r010159]

Originally Posted by psychehedone

What are your anxiety levels like? Recently, I've realized that sometimes I feel exhausted not because I'm depressed or tired per se, but because I have a high level of baseline anxiety. Relaxation techniques like aromatherapy, drinking chamomile tea, warm showers with lavender bath gel, etc. help calm me down and rejuvenate me. This might seem funny, since chamomile and lavender are generally used to aid sleep. Anxiety uses up a lot of the body's energy, so if you can reduce that, you'll naturally feel more alert and energetic.

I find it tiring to move and do things when my anxiety level is high. Taking a shower can be a major ordeal for me. And I am very tired afterwards. I find a walk around the neighborhood helps me. And listening to relaxing music helps too. My headphones which give an immersive quality to music has helped allot.

[JoyDivision7680]

I sometimes find showering very exhausting, but I just can't stay unwashed for more than 4 days, it drives me nuts. Still, probably I would wash very little if I were to stay at home with nowhere to go.
Listening to music is great, actually it's the only thing I still love doing.