[Rebecca1]

Hi I suspect that I have bipolar 2. I’ve been experiencing very dramatic mood shifts between severe depression and positive/chaotic thinking, and what I think are mixed episodes, but I haven’t actually had reduced sleep or been noticeably more productive than usual. I’m going to see a psychiatrist soon, but I was wondering if anyone in the bipolar thread could give me insight into whether sleeplessness and increased activity are pertinent to being diagnosed as bipolar 2? Or can you have bipolar 2 without those symptoms?

[FluffyDinosaur]

Originally Posted by Rebecca1

Hi I suspect that I have bipolar 2. I’ve been experiencing very dramatic mood shifts between severe depression and positive/chaotic thinking, and what I think are mixed episodes, but I haven’t actually had reduced sleep or been noticeably more productive than usual. I’m going to see a psychiatrist soon, but I was wondering if anyone in the bipolar thread could give me insight into whether sleeplessness and increased activity are pertinent to being diagnosed as bipolar 2? Or can you have bipolar 2 without those symptoms?

Sleep deprivation and increased productivity are common symptoms, but they are not necessary for a diagnosis. Other symptoms of hypomania can be increased impulsivity and distractability, which can actually impair your productivity. You might start lots of things but get nothing done.

Sleep deprivation can also be more subtle than completely sleepless nights. For instance, you might sleep for 5 hours instead of your usual 9. These sorts of patterns can go unnoticed. A good way to detect them is with a mood chart. But again, it could also be that you don't have reduced sleep at all and still fit the bill enough to get diagnosed.

Yeah, I recently had a hypomanic episode where I spent way too much money (in the thousands of $) in the span of about 1-2 weeks. I was getting a normal amount of sleep the whole time, but I did have lots of wake ups in the middle of the night.

My therapist wondered if I was actually manic rather than hypomanic, but I guess it is hard to draw the line between the two categories sometimes. I normally do not sleep much with manic, though... but if this last episode was anything to go by, then apparently I can get like 7-8 hours and be hypomanic, at the very least. I did crash into a depression as well.

I am a mix of all sorts of crazy sometimes with on and off psychosis, so I can never tell for sure. It's too complex for me.

[*Beth*]

No. Not necessary, and not smart.

Sleep, whether too much or not enough, is not necessarily an indication of bipolar disorder. Some people have sleep symptoms, others don't. And a lot of people suffer from insomnia that may or may not have to do with BD.

[~Christina]

When was your last physical and full blood work? Hormones, Thyroid, lack of certain vitamins can all cause symptoms that can be a symptoms of Bipolar or any mental illness..

Its ALWAYS best to rule out any possible physical illness. Then the next step would be to see a Psychiarist for a full work up, and Most Pdocs will not give you a diagnosis at the first appt. many Pdocs like to try medication(s) to see if it helps you. Bipolar is not a label you want unless you really do infact have it, It can keep you from certain jobs etc..

My Advice rule out anything physical first.

[bpcyclist]

Sleep issues in bipolar disorder are extreeeeemely complex. As mentioned by Wise Persons above, while there are some patterns, anything can happen. In general, bp patients have disrupted circadian systems and disturbed sleep-wake cycle systems. Some genes have been identified. Super complicated, but, it is true that the vast majority of people with bp disorder suffer from some sort of sleep dysregulation and that this may begin as early as infancy.