Saba 19 June 2010 Mania Hills 2 Comments Print This Post  Email This Post

Image by fofurasfelinas/Flickr

So we’re up to warning sign #4 for mania episodes.

I’ve been behind in blogging but I’m back.

The main and easiest way I can tell that a severe or even a mild episode is heading my way is by examining my sleep schedule.

Regular sleep for Muslims with Bipolar is super important and here’s why:

Think about the chair you are sitting on right now (or later). Missing sleep is like sitting on a chair with a hole in the seat. What would happen? You’d fall right through the hole.

But if you get enough sleep, your chair is like the Lazy Boy sofa: comfortable and supportive.

Even missing an hour of sleep can affect your mood and cause you to become manic.

It’s odd but with Bipolar, if I get too little sleep, I wake up with too much energy i.e. mania kicks in. And the opposite is true.

The best way to get regular sleep is to automate it. When you have to go to the washroom, you simply get up and excuse yourself without thinking about it.

Similarly with sleep, you need to set a fixed bed time.

For me, 9pm is my exit time.

I take my meds and head to bed. If I’m awake at 9:40pm, my family is sure to remind me where I need to be.

Getting a good amount of Zzzs is a favor to yourself and to those around you.

If you can’t sleep on time, check the following things:

- pray Isha

- dark room with blinds closed

- fresh wudu

- drink a glass of water

- and say your du’a

Sometimes the med’s side effect can disturb sleep too. Talk to your doctor.

Good night

Check the rest of the 4 Mania Warning Signs here:

Warning Sign # 1: How Boiling Chai Taught Me to Recognize the First Warning Sign of BP Episode

Warning Sign # 2: Taking on Too Much

Warning Sign # 3: Hypersexuality

Warning Sign # 5: If You Don’t Learn the Last Mania Warning Sign Now, You’ll Hate Yourself Later