What causes sleep issues in between episodes?

How is your experiment with a biphasic sleep pattern going, Fluffy?

I gave it a serious try several years ago, but it only made things worse for me. What I've read from Sleep study doctors is that it is only really helpful for those who already sleep that way naturally - people who've been sleeping in two or more parts for the better part of their lives and are already happy and healthy people. For those folks there's no need to change the pattern. But biphasic sleeping is not a cure for insomnia. But your mileage may vary.

How're you doing, FluffyD?

Thanks for asking! I've had a couple horrible nights, but the last few nights have been better, almost decent. I can't say exactly why, because several things have changed; the morning runs, embracing the idea of sleeping in multiple parts, and I've also started "meditating" (if you can call it that) since a few days. It's too soon to say whether it will last, but now at least I know it's possible.

I think the morning runs are definitely doing their part to synchronize my circadian rhythm, plus running is supposed to have an anti-depressant effect as well, so maybe it will help prevent relapse, too.

As far as the biphasic sleep thing is concerned, I agree that sleeping in two parts doesn't necessarily help. And I don't actually get up and read every night, in fact these last few nights I haven't. But I do find that it helps to accept the idea that my sleep doesn't necessarily have to be contiguous. It removes some of the stress about not being able to immediately get back to sleep, and in that sense I find that it helps. Also, I've started to nap during the daytime if I've had a particularly bad night before. I didn't do that before because the usual "sleep hygiene" rules forbid it, but again I find that knowing I can always take a nap the next day reduces my anxiety about sleeping at night. Of course, I'm lucky that my work allows me to make my own hours, so that I have the flexibility for this sort of thing (technically I'm still on medical leave, but I am "unofficially" working a bit again to help me get back into a healthy rhythm).

I like to keep the "meditation" very simple, all I do is focus on my breathing and try to keep my attention only on that. I guess that's what "mindfulness" is. I'm about the least spiritual person I know and I really don't like all the new-agey/hippy-dippy stuff that tends to be associated with meditation, but in its most basic form I do find that it helps to calm me somewhat. Sometimes I even do it at night if I find myself getting anxious, it helps to stop the rumination.

I do still have some trouble getting back to sleep for my "second phase," it usually takes me at least an hour. Though as I said, I don't worry about it as much now. I keep a book next to my bed so I feel like I can always go and read, even if I don't. I still tend towards high anxiety and tension, and I still have a rapid heart rate most of the day. I think that's at least in part because of all the traumatic stuff that happened during my last episode, which still comes back to haunt me a lot. Also, I have some C-PTSD issues from childhood that have become a bit more of an issue again due to everything that's happened. So I hope that I can work through that stuff with my therapist when she's finally back, and that that will help my sleep some more.

I used to do biphasic sleep, although I didn't know there was a name for it. It was just how I seemed to want to sleep. Did that for years. For some reason, a couple of months ago my sleep pattern changed.

Anyway, FluffyD, I'm impressed with all the hard work you're putting into becoming stable. Very admirable, and it sounds like you're receiving the benefits of your dedication. Your "tone" sounds so much lighter and more hopeful than it used to.

I've been meditating for 40+ years and all I would say is what you said...meditation is a process of placing your attention on your breathing, not on your thoughts. No bells and whistles necessary.


Thanks for the update

Thank you for the encouraging words, Beth! It's funny, I never realized how obvious my depression was to others, but now almost everyone I talk to tells me I sound so much better. It's really good to hear that from so many people. Also, thanks to you and everyone here for the continued support through this whole ordeal!

It's going up to 25 degrees Celsius today! (That's 77 degrees Fahrenheit.) It hits early at 2:00pm and 3:00pm. Usually the hottest time of day is 5:00pm. Hopefully i will enjoy my balcony again today. Should be glorious!

I have a phone appointment with my doctor at 9:30am today, in 3.5 hours. We have such a lot to talk about! Will skip visiting with my one close neighbor today as it's stressful, fun but stressful, and i want to conserve my energy for the call with my doctor.

I'm in my fourth week of dieting! I haven't gone THIS long in years! I'm not weighing myself as that a scrip for disaster, but just going by how my clothes feel and there's definite progress there.

My jeans are already looser and are comfortable all day long. I don't want to shuck them off the minute i get home and trade them for sweatpants which i wore all Winter.

Spring is breath-taking here! The lilacs on our property are in bloom, both the purple and the white, soft as a woman's breast! It's green green green every where you look! Fantastique!!!

Do you like my new font?

It's sort of typewriter-like, don't you think? It's called "Courier New" boosted up one unit in font size and bolded. Is it easy to read? I don't want anyone to have to strain their eyes...

Hugs to all!

300mg Seroquel makes me sleep well, but I never thought it was related to cholesterol levels. A few months ago, I needed to see a cardiologist because my blood pressure was quite high. We figured out it was because of high cholesterol levels.


I took 150mg Seroquel before and never had problems. I'll try if I can sleep well if I go back to 150mg. My doctor already gave me a go signal in changing the dosage.

I hope it works out! FWIW even 50mg of Seroquel puts me out like a light, so I would think 150mg should be fine (although I think you might have some withdrawal effects at first if you're coming off 300mg). It could be different as far as the mood stabilizing effects are concerned, but I hope you're able to do well on 150mg!