Dream Dream Dream

[The_Possum]

Hi Everyone

I have bipolar ii and sleep is really an issue for me. Or should I say.. Dreams are an issue.

It's taken me months to work on sleep hygiene and have gone from no sleep to about 6 hours a night. Mainly via my psychologist, meditation, music and some reading before bed.

But the sleep isn't restful. It's full of dreams of me in trouble, others in trouble, running to help.. They are busy dreams that leave me feeling over whelmed in the morning.

I have sleeping tablets but only allowed them a maximum of one night a week as my doctor doesn't want me to become addicted.

If I take the tablets I'll sleep about 9 hours and I have no idea if I dream as I'm literally out of it and don't recall anything when I wake up. So it's more restful for me.

Anyone have any dream issues?

Bipolar has been difficult to manage, only diagnosed november last year and medicated, but I'm doing OK with help.

Thanks x

[BballJ]

Hi The Possum,

Oh do I know about these dreams, I suffer from anxiety personally so I have anxiety dreams which are generally dreams of worry and that feeling of waking up stressed or with anxiety happen a fair bit. I do find if I am tired before bed it helps a lot. You seem to be doing all the right things, I don't have a lot of dealings with Bipolar but did you doctor or psychologist say these dreams are common with Bipolar sufferers?

Have you tried maybe exercising at night a couple of hours before bed to try and really tire yourself out and almost fall straight asleep, I find this helps me a lot and I don't have as many anxiety dreams if I have worn myself out during the evening. Just my thought.

I am glad to read you are getting help but that is the best thing.

My best for you,

Jay

[happyannie]

Hi The Possum

I have problems of dreams where bad things seem to happen to me and the people who are close to me. I also have really vivid dreams of people who have passed away ,who were very close to me. I take medication at night but not sleeping tablets, but these medications do make me sleepy, but I will wake up in the middle of the night, so upset sometimes Im not sure if they are dreams or nightmares. It can be very upsetting, I definately have dream issues.

Take care

Annie

[forumprofile]

Yes! It's awful waking up feeling more tired and worried than before you went to bed. I have dreams of flying - It's not pleasant though. I'm always flying away from something or someone and I have to avoid electricity wires (????) Then there are the dreams of me doing something terrible and waking up to the relief that it hasn't actually happened. I don't know a solution. I'll watch for other replies to see what others suggest.

[The_Possum]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I don't think there is a solution.

I'll be stuck in this nightmare sleep cycle forever.

We all will.

[BballJ]

Hi The Possum,

I do believe there is a solution and it is to keep working on getting better and trying to learn to live with the mental health issues. The better you adapt to them I do find things ease up for you.

Please, keep your head up and each day try to take little steps towards getting better.

My best,

Jay

[The_Possum]

Thanks Jay

I hope things get better with sleep over time.

I'm reading more at night and making myself more tired and it does seem to help somewhat.

Fingers crossed for us all x

[BballJ]

Hi The Possum,

That's perfect, doing little things to help make you tired. Keep your head up and feel free to write back if you want to vent or talk.

My best,

Jay