Sleep problems

I don't understand why I'm doing this - I stay up all night and become incredibly sleep deprived but continue to do it over and over again. I just want to be awake, and I feel like I have a lot of energy and stay up watching TV, listening to music, surfing the net, cooking, showering and thinking out loud to myself. I don't know if I'm staying up because I'm distracted by with things, or whether it is indicative of some kind of pathology....

I would bring this up with your Dr. I have had chronic insomnia for about 3 years. Sometimes I stay up because I'm manic and have sooooooo many things to do. Then feel fine all day the next day (though still energized). Sometimes I'm up at 3am for 2 hours, go back to sleep, and feel like I'm dragging all day.

russiandoll wrote:I don't understand why I'm doing this - I stay up all night and become incredibly sleep deprived but continue to do it over and over again. I just want to be awake, and I feel like I have a lot of energy and stay up watching TV, listening to music, surfing the net, cooking, showering and thinking out loud to myself. I don't know if I'm staying up because I'm distracted by with things, or whether it is indicative of some kind of pathology....

I stay up late, too, although my energy levels vary. Regardless, I want to be awake. Sometimes, I feel like I have a lot of energy and I am very “active” - similar to what you describe, but I will read and organize/declutter rather than watching tv and cooking, for example. If my energy is low, I stay in bed but keep the lights on and use the internet or read.

My energy levels and activity-level depend on what mood episode I am in. Regardless, I stay up all night. I do try and sleep before it is light outside because I rarely sleep during the day.

How long have you been staying up all night? Do you think you are hypomanic during these times? If you are depressed, do you still stay up all night? If so, what do you do? Can you sleep the next day?

Regarding your question of a separate pathology, I think talking to your psychiatrist may be wise. They may recommend a sleep study or give medical guidance.

For me, I “confessed” to my psychiatrist about my sleeping pattern. He is ok with me averaging 5-6 hours of sleep. An average, not every day, but we have an agreement that I need to call him if I have not slept at all for more than a certain number of days. About twice a week, I will sleep for a solid 9-10 hours and that gives me my 5-6 hours average. He said that I am a night owl and I do not need as much sleep as other people. Mood episodes are not triggered by this night owl pattern, for me.

I do know why I am a night owl, as I used to be an “early bird.” I became a night owl because my anxiety is lower at night. Because most everyone else (inside and outside my home are asleep.). It lowers my anxiety significantly, being a night owl. It is a coping mechanism for my anxiety.

I hope this is helpful or maybe gives you food for thought. I did not know how to reply effectively without explaining that I relate and why.

I miss being an early bird. I am moving to very remote location soon, on purpose. I want the quiet, the solitude, and I want to be surrounded by nature. I am tired of asphalt and .... suburbia, etc. I will be around more animals than people, except for my dear husband (although he will be asleep, lol). I have a feeling that I will be watching sunrises again soon.

If you feel healthy and a natural happiness, good for you! I do think it is worth asking your doctor about it since you posted as you are concerned. Please keep us posted.

Thanks for the responses my psychiatrist put me on melatonin and I have discovered a way of getting to bed earlier - I make myself lie in bed earlier in the evening where I can watch tv, read, listen to music etc. and then I am more inclined to go to sleep, as I am already in bed. I relate to wanting to be awake when the rest of the world is sleeping... There is something about the solitude and darkness that is mysterious and exciting.