Did you find a sleep schedule really improved your moods?

Hi again. I apologize about making so many posts on the forum lately, it probably seems if I am flooding the forums. Did any of you find it to improve your moods being on a consistent sleep schedule? Always look forward to hearing someone else's experience. I still am uneducated in a lot of ways and have been diagnosed a number of years.

Absolutely. My moods are better if I'm on a schedule in general. It's why it's hard for me to hold jobs that are scattered in shifts. If I have to be at work the same hours everyday I actually keep the job. Sleep is very tied into bipolar disorder. I think, but I'm not completely sure, that sleep disturbances can throw someone into an hypomanic/manic/depressive episode.

I found that a west to east journey with a five hour time difference, conducted over 48 hours without sleep (due to my usual 18hour journey being booked out), induced full-blown mania. There were some social stressors at the time though too.

Yes, absolutely. After an one hour time change in October it took me a month to stop feeling somewhat unstable. At one point when I was still dependent on sleep meds and I ran out, I missed 4-5 good nights of sleep and I started getting psychotic. I love my sleep and I will keep it no matter what.

If your posts keep being relevant I don't think anyone will complain
Sleep is very important to me. I've always needed a very strict schedule. Even before I was aware of my issues I always held myself to an early bedtime because I simply couldn't function in a proper manner without one. Other people seem to be fine with sleeping odd hours and such but I fall apart quite quickly.

Hi

I find my sleep schedule varies - sometimes it is really good and sometimes it is totally off. I do notice a difference depending on this and when it is good my mood appears to be more stable than when it has gone off. I tend to run high with lack of sleep and that makes me sleep less and so it continues. I think good sleep in really important in BP and def something to try to work on as part of one's successfully managing the BP.

Hugs

Cracked

Doesn't make much of difference to me. Occasionally my schedule "locks" to constant schedule for few weeks, then starts to lean off again. When "unlocked" I just sleep so badly I'd need daily sleepmeds to keep it constant..

Last few times I've used meds to sleep, I've slept either just as restlessly bad as before or woke up as tired as I went to sleep (even if I slept 8+ hours) and felt like I didn't dream of anything. So I'm not exacly eager to use them..

So no, I'm not going to bother trying to keep my sleep schedule constant. The effect is marginal, at best.

ed: Wonder if it's sort of related to that I seem to be nocturnal by default. But because current social norm, I have to wake up at morning for whatever reason. So if there wasn't such restrain and I could happily sleep at day, would it improve my moods..? Because in the past when I already had symptoms of BP and wasn't employed/studying staying awake through nights made me calmer&happier.. The feeling of serene quiet&peace around you. If I were lonely, there were friends other side of globe to keep me company. Hm.

Thank you guys for all the responses. Much appreciated.

As others have said, YES! This is definitely one of the most tangible things that I make myself do to improve my moods. Even if my sleep schedule is off by a few hours, I can feel it for the next few days mood wise.