Making Choices - Dating a Bipolar Man

Are you dating a bipolar man, or have you ever been in a relationship with a person, affected by the disorder also known as manic depression? Last night, I went out with a man in Raleigh from Match.com, who is attractive, creative, successful, extremely intelligent - and bipolar -- which I found out on our first date. According to WebMD, "About 5.7 million adults are living with bipolar disorder in the United States."

Before meeting in person, my date and I chatted by phone and text messaged each other. Over the phone we got along pretty well, and appeared to have a great deal in common. When he invited me to go out to dinner with him I happily agreed. We decided to try a chic little Asian restaurant downtown that happens to be new.

While eating our citrus braised beet salads, my date started discussing his last serious relationship. I picked up my glass of white wine, and as I was sipping it, he uttered three words I will never forget.
"I am bipolar," he said.

I almost dropped the glass of wine.

"Oh really," I responded trying to sound perfectly at ease with his statement.
He began talking about being a bipolar man, but he stated it was not, "that big of a deal." My date also indicated that he is fine, and that he does not take any medications or engage in treatment. After his declaration, I found myself thinking about his statement -- and honestly I was caught off guard. I was unsure what to think or how to feel.

I am not going to pretend to know a lot about dating a bipolar man or the actual disorder. I dated a person with pretty serious emotional issues in the past, and it was certainly not the most peaceful time in my life. Perhaps I am judgmental, but I simply know I am not equipped to act as a pseudo therapist, for a person who needs the guidance of a trained professional.

Respect and Personal Choices
I will say I actually respected my date more for telling me that he is bipolar on our first date. I was appreciative of the fact he was so open, and that he was honest enough to allow me to make a choice about dating a bipolar man. I think that more people should embrace that sort of honesty and openness. I definitely realize that nobody is perfect, so I focused on enjoying the rest of the evening, and getting to know more about him.

Life is all about personal choices, and earlier today after a great deal of thought, I made a choice of my own. I came to the conclusion that I definitely do not want to pursue dating a bipolar man.

What is Bipolar Disorder?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, "Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time. Bipolar disorder symptoms can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide."

Causes
WebMD states, "Though the exact cause of bipolar disorder has yet to be found, scientists confirm that bipolar disorder has a genetic component, meaning the disorder appears to run in families. Some research suggests that multiple factors may interact to produce a chemical imbalance in the brain, which results in bipolar disorder's symptoms of major depression and mania. Examples of environmental factors may include stress, alcohol or substance abuse, and lack of sleep."

My Dating Experience
Ultimately, bipolar disorder can be treated, but I am not willing to gamble on someone else's mental health, in the context of my next romantic relationship. I may sound like a harsh individual, but I have been there done that -- and I have no desire to pursue it in the future.
I am very intuitive and also sensitive, when it comes to personal relationships. I do find that depressed people negatively alter my own usually positive well-being. In the typical Piscean manner, I will take a friend's issue and make it my own. It is almost as though, I identify too deeply with what they are experiencing or feeling. Luckily, the majority of my friends are extremely upbeat, "glass half full" people.

I am moody at times, but my mild mood swings are boringly predictable - hunger and PMS.

Making Contact
When I contacted my date today, I again stressed that I had a very nice time with him and I thanked him for a great date. Although I was not exactly sure what to say, I decided to be upfront about my concerns. I told him that I was not sure if I could date a bipolar person, based upon my own dating history. He inquired about the specifics of my last serious relationship, and I said I did not want to go into it. Really I felt like it would be too much information at that point, considering I did not intend on dating him in the future. He then made a statement that actually reassured me regarding my decision.

"They tagged me as a bipolar man. I never believed it. I am actually more of an Aries."
I am not quite sure of the correlation there, but needless to say I am not going to try to figure out what he means while dating him. Yesterday, on our first date, he felt like being bipolar was significant enough to share his disorder with me over dinner. Today he is trying to act like it was a misdiagnosis, and he is just a stereotypical Aries.

I am going with what he initially revealed to me, in order to avoid the likely confusion and "emotional roller-coaster" down the road.

Bipolar, Aries, who knows? I am definitely choosing to not go there in a dating environment. We did agree to continue as friends, and to hang out in the future. He is a good guy, and while I am not willing to take on a romantic relationship with him, I would love to work on just being friends.
Sources

NIMH: Bipolar Disorder [http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/what-is-bipolar-disorder.shtml]

WebMD: What causes bipolar disorder?

Charley Anne Prescott is a freelance writer who details dating, wellness and countless other topics. Read more of her articles Here.

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One of my Manic Episodes.

My personal story of a Manic episode.

   It was the middle of summer. Everyone was noticing that I seemed to be doing a lot of strange things. I, on the other hand did not. I was involved in three projects designing landscaping jobs for peoples homes. I had always had a good eye for design and people liked my work. I began to feel that I could accomplish anything. It was a great feeling after coming off a long depression. I had hired a few workers to help with the increasing work load.

   So many great ideas of design were flowing in my mind. Word began to spread that I was working again, so I took on even more jobs. I had previously lost my Landscape design business due to my Bipolar illness. Everyone assumed I was back in control and could handle going back into business, including me.

   I began to get very bossy with the customers and short tempered with my workers. I figured they would all put up with me for the great job I would do for them. I felt my talents had no boundaries and that I could do and say anything.

   Things began to get strange! I began to feel that I new what was in other peoples minds. I began playing games with people, guessing what they would say next, or predicting what song was going to play next on the radio. I became extremely impatient, taking things in stores instead of waiting in line. I figured I would pay the store back later. I never got caught because of my special powers.

   Life seemed magical and I could do or say anything. I required very little sleep, staying up for 2 or 3 days at a time. Some how I knew this was not going to turn out good, but it felt good and I did not care. I had been in Mania before and ended up in different hospitals, but when you feel this good, you do not care about the outcome. You now believe you are the only person with these special powers.

   I now began to warn people about the things that were going to happen to them. I started doing this to my customers, warning them about terrible things that were going to happen in their lives, if they did not heed my message.

   I bounced from project to project taking deposits from people and not getting anything done. My workers began to quit and the projects I started, sat idle. I started to get complaints and yet none of this bothered me. I would just use my magical powers and fix everything. It is so embarrassing when I look back.

   People close to me new I was in trouble, but they could not do anything about it. I took on yet another project at my sisters house. She is a nurse and had experienced some of my bizarre behaviors in the past. She reminded me of what happen before. How I thought I was seeing dead people, and the times I ended up in the hospital in just my robe and sunglasses, thinking I was an angel, and  how I thought my other sister, who had passed away was communicating with me from the beyond. I told her that this was different. I really believed that this was different.

   I told my sister that I would stay at her house a couple of days to get the job done quickly. I think she agreed, so she could keep an eye on me. I began to take over her household. She found it strange that I kept on watching the Wizard of Oz, over and over again. I was fascinated with the movie for some reason. For two straight days and nights I watched that movie, while my last worker slaved in the yard.

   I got in a fight with my sister over money that she gave me for the job. She wanted her money back. I had deposits from other jobs, so I gave it to her. I started getting complaints from every customer that nothing was happening with their yard. I assured them that I would be starting their job shortly.

   As the pressure mounted I started to unravel. I got in my car and just began to drive, I figured I could just leave and magically the work would get done without me. I headed west from Michigan. I picked up a hitch hiker who had a big sign saying, going west!  I would use him to guide me. He had a long beard and looked harmless, so off we went.

   I only had three hundred dollars on me, so I would have to use my magical powers to get to where I was going. When you are in this manic state, a person can be very convincing and people will believe what you are saying. I stayed at the best hotels. Ate at the best restaurants and began stealing from gas stations and not paying for anything. I did not consider this stealing because I was helping this homeless hitch hiker. I was doing Gods work! I really believed that.

   After two days with the hitchhiker we decided to part. I told him that I would rent him and I a hotel room. It was 2 am when we arrived at the hotel. I convinced the service desk person to rent me a room for a couple of hours. I made up a story, how I rescued this homeless man, and that I was a news reporter, and she believed me.

   She gave me the card that lets you in the room. The hotel was empty and that is probably why she let me stay there. For some reason, I began to see if the card would open up other rooms. I went from room to room checking the doors. I found out that by sliding the card quickly in and out of some doors I could open several rooms. I was so impressed with my discovery that I showed the front desk. They were stunned and this led me to believe that my magical powers were still working.

   In the morning the hitch hiker and I parted company. I filled my car with gas, not paying, and drove off not really knowing where I was headed. I was now in state of complete Mania!

   I started to hear voices in my mind directing me where to go. the voice said California and that's where I would go. I just kept driving hour after hour. I hustled money at pool halls along the way to pay for things. I was good at pool and had fun taking drunks money.

   Late at night, after not sleeping for a couple of days I stopped driving and began to fall asleep. I was awaken by a railroad worker. I was actually asleep on the middle of the rail road track. I told him I was lost and I needed help to find the expressway. He drove ten miles out of his way and I followed him to the expressway.

   I drove for another two days and two nights, guided by the voices I was hearing. As I drove along a darken country road. The voice said to me, you are in California. I kept driving and the voice kept telling me things. The voice said you are 21 years old now, I was really 43 at the time. The voice said the house up ahead is where you really live. This is your real life, the other life was just a dream. I was getting more and more confused. What was happening to me!

   I pulled into this farm house at 2 in the morning. It was in the middle of no where. Acres and acres of land, as far as your eye could see. This was my home, my real home. It all made sense to me. I tried to get into the front door with my key. I could not figure why it would not open. The voice told me where the key was. I am not making this up, but there was a key where the voice said, and it opened the door.

   I went into the house. I looked around and seen an elderly couple sleeping in a room. I did not wake them. I figured they were guests of mine. The voice now told me that I had friends that were waiting for me in the pole barns. I could here them calling me. I looked in the pole barns to find my friends. I could here them calling me, but I could not see them.

   I heard the voices calling out in the corn fields. I ran towards them and soon was lost. This was a huge farm with acres and acres of corn fields. I was disoriented and confused. I was so tired that I layed on my back looking up at the stars. The voice now said that this was a game and you lost.

   I began to panic, running and running through the corn fields. I heard a dog barking from the house. That must be my dog, I thought. The barking led me back to the farm house. It was a German Shepard with three legs. He was friendly and he was my dog, so I sat on the deck and petted him.

   A Police car pulled up, they asked me my name. I did not know anymore. The older couple in the house called the Police. The Police were very kind to me. They knew I was not in a good metal state. They were very careful and handcuffed me, placing me in the back seat. They said they were taking me to the station, but I was not being arrested. They took my car and preceded to the station.

   When I got to the station I began to panic. I told them that I needed to go to a hospital. They left me in a room and I began to get scared. I told them that I did not want to be alone. The one Lady officer said she would sit with me. I began to play mind games with her. I could feel she was getting uncomfortable with my confusing behavior. She warned me to sit still.

   We talked about her children. For some reason I guessed that they were Autistic. This really spooked her. I told here that I would hug her. She said that was not allowed, but I stood up and hugged her anyway. She yelled out for help as I squeezed her tightly. I could even feel her back crack.

   Four other officers rushed in. I was confused and I resisted them. They grabbed my arms and legs placing me in a straight jacket. I was actually glad to be in the straight jacket it felt comforting to me. I was put into an ambulance and taken to a Nebraska Hospital. I was happy to be there.

   The funny thing is that this was the only Hospital that discovered the proper medications that worked for me. It turned out to be the best place that I could have ended up.

   It is over five years ago that I left that hospital. I have never had another Manic episode since then. I continue adjusting my meds slightly. I see a doctor and a therapist every couple of weeks back in Michigan. I receive assistance, but I am happy to be sane. It has been a tough road but you can never give up. Things are getting better and better. I found out there are people who care about you and there is a lot of help out there, if you look hard enough.

I have gone through several of these episodes and take my recovery very serious. Bipolar can be a very serious illness, you must stay on top of it at all times!

  I am embarassed to discuss a lot of my stories.  I do not think it is healthy to look back on all the bad stuff.  I just hope that you realize you are not alone and you must continue to move forward with your illness.  Try not to dwell in the past and make the decision to move ahead.

Bipolar Test - Are You Bipolar?

If your think that you may suffer from Bipolar Disorder, the first thing you should do is take a Bipolar test. Bipolar Disorder is sometimes misdiagnosed as depression, so by taking this Bipolar test, you should be able to work out if you are showing classic bipolar symptoms. Read on to take the Bipolar test...

Part a) Is it bipolar or depression?
1. Do you feel that you need less sleep than usual?
2. Are you more talkative than usual and feeling like you have to keep talking?
3. Does it feel as though you are having too many thoughts and ideas to process at once?
4. Are you easily distracted?
5. Have you been going on spending sprees and spending money that you don't have?
6. Do you suffer from mood swings, extreme highs and terrible lows?

If you have answered yes to more than two of the bipolar test questions above, please move on to bipolar test b & c (if not, it is unlikely that you suffer from bipolar disorder).

Part b) When you are on a high (mania):
1. Are you more hyper than usual?
2. Do you find yourself getting into trouble, fights or arguments?
3. Do you feel elevated and increased self confidence?
4. Does your level of self esteem drastically increase?
5. Do you find that you talk more quickly?
6. Are thoughts and ideas constantly racing through your mind?
7. Do you have more energy than usual?
8. Do you have lots of goals, new ideas and ambitions?
Now move onto bipolar test part c...

Part c) When you are on a low (depressed):
1. Do you feel as though you have little of no energy?
2. Do you find that you loose in things you customarily enjoy?
3. Do you have feelings of guilt?
4. Do you have feelings of worthlessness?
5. Do you have difficulty with your short term memory and find it hard to make decisions?
6. Are you feeling tired, have a lack of energy and fatigue?
7. Are you persistently sad and anxious?
8. Do you feel irritable and constantly restless?

Bipolar test results: If you have answered the majority of the questions in bipolar test b & c as yes, there may be a chance that you suffer from Bipolar Disorder. Be sure to seek help from a medical professional to discuss your situation and symptoms. For even more information on where to go from here click on the links below.

Click Here [http://www.BipolarandDepression.com] To Beat Bipolar Disorder Today
Click Here [http://www.BipolarandDepression.com] To See How Others Are Beating Bipolar & Depression Right Now

Joan Spencer is webmaster at www.BipolarandDepression.com [http://www.BipolarandDepression.com]

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Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, and ADHD Bipolar Disorder

If I were to tell you that seven out of every ten bipolar adults would also qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD would you believe me? Probably not! Nevertheless this is what the most recent research is telling us. Additionally, the last few years have seen a substantial increase in the number of cases of bipolar disorder in children, many of which had already been diagnosed with ADHD, thus the term ADHD bipolar disorder.

ADHD has been broken down into three different types. They are the inattentive type, the impulsive hyperactivity type, and the combined type. So needless to say not all cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are the same. This is the case with bipolar disorder as well with many variation being seen.

Bipolar children are much more prone to fighting and irritability in general. Additionally, their moods seem to be to more cyclic. That said, one type of bipolar disorder known as rapid-cycling can show changes in activity and temperament on a daily, or even an hourly, basis.

What is bipolar disorder anyway?
Bipolar disorder is similar to depression except instead of feeling down in the dumps all the time a person experiences periods where they feel excessively up. In other words bipolar disorder is a rollercoaster of emotions with the highest of highs and lowest of lows.

Similarities between bipolar disorder and ADHD
The general consensus is that both disorder share a biological link but exactly what that link is no one really knows for sure. Most believe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to be driven by a combination of slow brain development in the areas responsible for self-regulation combined with an imbalance in the neurotransmitter chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. It would be logical to assume that these same brain chemicals, along with serotonin, are at the core of bipolar disorder.
The characteristics that define both disorders are eerily similar and include inattention, impulsive behavior, hyperactivity, restlessness, boundless supplies of energy, frequent changes in behavior, learning problems, and the coexistence of oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder.
Sleep problems are another common thread between the two with insomnia playing a role and some might argue throwing the biological imbalances even further out of whack, thus exasperating the symptoms.

Motor restlessness during sleep is also another common factor. Children who experience a high or manic cycle during sleep may become quite restless though they may have little physical motion when they are feeling down.

Heredity also seem to another aspect linking the two. We know that if one parent has ADHD the chances of their children having the condition is about 50/50. While the chances of inheriting bipolar disorder doesn't appear to be quite as high it definitely plays an important role.
One difference worth pointing out is that while men are about 3 times more likely to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder both men and women are equally likely to be diagnosed as bipolar.
In conclusion, there are times when the lines can become blurred between these two condition leading to a diagnosis of ADHD bipolar disorder. This is especially true of the 40 percent of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who show aggression or defiance.

Robert D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic consumer advocate for natural health and natural living with over 10 years experience in the field.

 To learn more about ADHD along with information about safe and effective herbal and homeopathic ADHD remedies Click Here

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Which Bipolar Medications affect your weight the most.

  Many people are concerned about gaining weight with their Bipolar medications.  Some people easily gain weight with or without their medications.  I have struggled with my weight before I was ever on any meds.  I really started putting on the pounds when I first got on my meds.

  First of all a lot of Bipolar meds make you feel tired.  It is hard to even get out of bed sometimes, so your weight begins to escalate.  I personally gained almost 80lbs.  This does not help your self esteem very much,  making you even more depressed about your situation.

  It is very important that you still stick to a medication if a med working for you.  Picking a med just because you lose or gain weight is not why you choose that med.  I have tried that and it doesn't work.  You have to get find a drug that works to help your Bipolar symptoms first and deal with your weight issues after that.

  I am on Lithium, it is a med that has a tendency to put the weight on.  I am also on Seroquel and Lamictal.  I was on almost all the other drugs for Bipolar and they did not work for me.  The combination of these three drugs have changed my life for the better, much better!

  With that in mind, each person has to find the right combination of meds for themselves, so it is impossible to recommend a particular medication.  What works for me, may not work for you.  Taking meds is a delicate balance that has to be worked out with a professional.  Choosing the right Doctor is important, which I discuss in one of my posts.

  After I found the right combination of drugs to help with my Bipolar, and I started feeling better, I was now able to deal with my weight issue.  It was difficult to even think about the task before me, having to lose the 80lbs I put on.  It is almost impossible to lose the weight until you are stabilized.

  I did lose the 80lbs.  To see how I did it, Click Here.  It was not easy, but it is possible.  You can live a very normal life with Bipolar, so do not give up on trying to find the right combination of drugs that work for your body.  Picture your meds as a puzzle, you have put the right pieces together in order to make them work.

  I am going to list the drugs and how they may affect your weight.  If a drug on the list is working for you, stay on it.  Do not pick a drug just because it will not put any weight on you.  I sought out drugs for that reason, but they did not help my Bipolar, and I still gained the weight.  Treat your Bipolar symptoms first and deal with your weight issues later.  Being stable takes priority over everything else.

List of Medications and how they can affect your weight

CLICK HERE

 

    

 

 

   

Is Bipolar Disorder a Serious Illness? (Statistics)

Bipolar Glossary
Click Here

Bipolar Straight Talk

  Bipolar Diorder is not to be taken lightly.  It is a complicated illness that is sometimes difficult to diagnose.  It affects people in all walks of life.  Bipolar does not discriminate.  A person with bipolar should seek professional help.  They will need continual support.   A person with bipolar disorder
must rule out other forms of emotional issues.  A psychiatrist will be able to assist you in diagnosing your illness.  It may take some time to diagnose your illness properly.  Many people are not diagnosed properly in the beginning.

  Medications have to be tweaked for every individual.  Medications work differently in each person.  A good Dr. Should be involved in all medical decisions.  It is important not to be over mdicated.  In the beginning it takes time for your body to get used to your medications.  It is not an exact science.  You must tells you Dr. Exactly how you feel, only you know your body.

  Sometimes medications will react differently as time goes by.  A person must stay on top of how they react to these medications.  Once you have the proper medications you'll begin to feel normal.  Do not ever adjust your medications yourself.  This should be done in accordance with your psychiatrist.

  Once your medicated properly, you can lead a very normal life.  It just takes time and some effort on your part.  It will take two or three weeks for the medications to start working. Do not expect them to work right away , you must have patience.  In time you'll start to feel much better.

Bipolar Disorder Statistics

Who is Affected by Bipolar Disorder?

• Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.6% of the U.S. population age 18 and older every year. (National Institute of Mental Health)
• The median age of onset for bipolar disorder is 25 years (National Institue of Mental Health), although the illness can start in early childhood or as late as the 40's and 50's.
• An equal number of men and women develop bipolar illness and it is found in all ages, races, ethnic groups and social classes.
• More than two-thirds of people with bipolar disorder have at least one close relative with the illness or with unipolar major depression, indicating that the disease has a heritable component. (National Institute of Mental Health)

Women and Bipolar Disorder

• Although bipolar disorder is equally common in women and men, research indicates that approximately three times as many women as men experience rapid cycling. (Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 58, 1995 [Suppl.15])
• Other research findings indicate that women with bipolar disorder may have more depressive episodes and more mixed episodes than do men with the illness. (Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 58, 1995 [Suppl.15])

Economic Factors

• Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability in the world. (World Health Organization)

Suicide and Bipolar Disorder

• Bipolar disorder results in 9.2 years reduction in expected life span, and as many as one in five patients with bipolar disorder completes suicide. (National Institute of Mental Health)

Children and Adolescents

• Bipolar disorder is more likely to affect the children of parents who have the disorder. When one parent has bipolar disorder, the risk to each child is l5 to 30%. When both parents have bipolar disorder, the risk increases to 50 to 75%. (National Institute of Mental Health)
• Bipolar Disorder may be at least as common among youth as among adults. In a recent NIMH study, one percent of adolescents ages 14 to 18 were found to have met criteria for bipolar disorder or cyclothymia in their lifetime. (National Institute of Mental Health)
• Some 20% of adolescents with major depression develop bipolar disorder within five years of the onset of depression. (Birmaher, B., "Childhood and Adolescent Depression: A Review of the Past 10 Years." Part I, 1995)
• Up to one-third of the 3.4 million children and adolescents with depression in the United States may actually be experiencing the early onset of bipolar disorder. (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1997)
• When manic, children and adolescents, in contrast to adults, are more likely to be irritable and prone to destructive outbursts than to be elated or euphoric. When depressed, there may be many physical complaints such as headaches, and stomachaches or tiredness; poor performance in school, irritability, social isolation, and extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure. (National Institute of Mental Health).

Getting Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

• Success rates of 70 to 85% were once expected with lithium for the acute phase treatment of mania, however, lithium response rates of only 40 to 50% are now commonplace. (Surgeon General Report for Mental Health)
• Participation in a DBSA patient-to-patient support group improved treatment compliance by almost 86% and reduced in-patient hospitalization. (DBSA, 1999)
• Consumers with bipolar disorder face up to ten years of coping with symptoms before getting an accurate diagnosis, with only one in four receiving an accurate diagnosis in less than three years. (DBSA, 2000)
• A gender bias exists in the diagnosis of bipolar disorder: women are far more likely to be misdiagnosed with depression and men are far more likely to be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia. (DBSA, 2000)
• Nearly 9 out of 10 consumers with bipolar disorder are satisfied with their current medication(s), although side effects remain a problem. (DBSA, 1999)
• Consumers who report high levels of satisfaction with their treatment and treatment provider have a much more positive outlook about their illness and their ability to cope with it. (DBSA, 1999)

 

 


 

Bipolar Disorder and Elderely Patients (A look in Geriatric Bipolar Patients)

Seniors Struggling with Mental Illness.

  It is extra hard for elderely people to live with Bipolar Disorder.  People seem to feel that the elderely, are different then the rest of us.  It is sad how we treat our seniors in this society.

Seniors and Mental Health

"Older Americans"...(Seniors)... "are disproportionately likely to die by suicide. Comprising only 13 percent of the U.S. population, individuals age 65 and older accounted for 18 percent of all suicide deaths in 2000. Among the highest rates (when categorized by gender and race) were white men age 85 and older: 59 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2000, more than five times the national U.S. rate of 10.6 per 100,000.

Of the nearly 35 million Americans age 65 and older, an estimated 2 million have a depressive illness (major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, or bipolar disorder) and another 5 million may have 'subsyndromal depression,' or depressive symptoms that fall short of meeting full diagnostic criteria for a disorder. Subsyndromal depression is especially common among older persons and is associated with an increased risk of developing major depression. In any of these forms, however, depressive symptoms are not a normal part of aging. In contrast to the normal emotional experiences of sadness, grief, loss, or passing mood states, they tend to be persistent and to interfere significantly with an individual's ability to function.

Studies show that seniors are at greater risk of some mental disorders and their complications than younger people, and many of these illnesses can be accurately diagnosed and treated. However, many seniors are reluctant to seek psychiatric treatment that could alleviate or cure their symptoms and return them to their previous lifestyle.

Many people don’t understand mental illness or even acknowledge its existence. Some seniors are ashamed or frightened by their symptoms or believe that they are an inevitable part of aging. Often, seniors, their loved ones and friends, and even their doctors fail to recognize the symptoms of treatable mental illness.

Types of Mental Disorders

Depression
Depression is considered the most common mental disorder of people aged 65 and older. Many researchers think this estimate is low because the symptoms of depression often appear in people who have other conditions, or can mimic the symptoms of dementia—its victims withdraw, cannot concentrate, and appear confused. Some experts estimate that as many as 10 percent of those diagnosed with dementia actually suffer from depression that, if treated, is reversible.

Dementia
Dementia (characterized by confusion, memory loss, and disorientation) is not an inevitable part of growing old. In fact, only about 10 percent of Americans aged 65 and older suffer from this condition. Of that number, an estimated 60 percent suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia for which no cause or cure has been found.

Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease, which causes some of the brain’s cells to die, involves a part of the brain that controls memory. As it spreads to other parts of the brain, the illness affects a greater number of intellectual, emotional, and behavioral abilities. An adult’s chances of developing the illness are one in 100, but the incidence increases with age. One million people older than 65 are severely afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease and another two million are in the moderate stages of the disease.

Because this disease is so widespread, many associations have organized support groups, educational materials, and insurance information for Alzheimer’s sufferers and their families. Many support groups offer daycare activities for patients and counseling for family members who are often faced with years of care for their loved one.

The other 40 percent of all dementias can be caused by:

• Complications of chronic high blood pressure, blood vessel disease, or a previous stroke. Deterioration comes in steps, as opposed to a steady progression. This type of dementia is often referred to as vascular or multi-infarct dementia.
• Parkinson’s disease generally begins with involuntary and small tremors or problems with voluntary movements. Dementia may occur when the disease is severe or very advanced.
• Huntington’s disease is a genetic disorder that begins in middle age and has symptoms of changed personality, mental decline, psychosis, and movement disturbance.
• Lewy body dementia (LBD) is the second leading cause of degenerative dementia, and it can occur by itself or in combination with other conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
• Often dementia is caused by more than one condition, such as combinations of stroke, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.

 

Reversible Dementias
Seniors may become forgetful, disoriented, or confused because they have developed reversible conditions that imitate dementia. Side effects from prescription drugs, drug interactions or overdoses, poor diet, and other physical or mental problems may cause this. These types of dementia can often be reversed after their causes are diagnosed and treated. It is important that a psychiatrist first complete a thorough medical evaluation, which can differentiate true dementia from the other factors that could mimic the condition.

Medications. Seniors take many more medications than other age groups. Coupled with a slower metabolism, these substances can stay in the body longer and quickly reach toxic levels. Moreover, because many older people take more than one medication and may drink alcoholic beverages, there is a high risk that drugs will interact, causing confusion, mood changes, and other symptoms of dementia.

Malnutrition caused by poor eating habits. The brain requires a steady supply of proper nutrients, and poor eating habits or problems with digestion can upset the way the brain functions. For example, pernicious anemia, a blood disorder caused by a problem with B12 absorption, causes irritability, depression, and dementia. Too little sugar in the bloodstream also causes confusion and personality change. Changed eating habits may result from dental problems, where difficulty chewing can cause seniors to omit certain important foods from their diet.

Diseases of the heart or lungs. The brain also requires a great deal of oxygen to work properly. If diseased lungs cannot draw enough oxygen into the blood or a diseased heart fails to pump enough blood to the brain, lack of oxygen can affect the brain and behavior.

Diseases of the adrenal, thyroid, pituitary, or other glands. These glands help regulate emotion, perception, memory, and thought processes. When they don’t function well, these mental processes are affected.

In older people, some psychiatric conditions, particularly depression, can cause symptoms of dementia. For many, treating depression will improve the symptoms of dementia; however, it also is possible that depression is an early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia.

Conclusion
Having good mental health throughout life does not ensure immunity from severe depression, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety disorders, and other mental disorders in the senior years of life. Take note of noticeable changes in an older person’s behavior or moods. These changes could be symptoms of conditions for which help is available. Seniors should not be afraid to seek medical and psychiatric evaluations and treatments that can return them to a productive and happy life. There is help, and there is hope.

Defeating Loneliness

  We all need to be patient and show love to our elderely citizens.  They seem to be forgotten.  There is really not a whole lot of research on the elderely and Bipolar. 

Learn to love older people. Anyone can love the young and beautiful, particularly when the hormones flow. Young love does exist but it is often confused with passion. To love an older person comes closer to true love. Of course, it is a pleasure to deal with an old person who is sweet, lovely, intelligent, and self-sufficient. Anyone can do that. It takes real character to love those who don't love us, and especially to love those who aren't lovable. So, if the person you are dealing with is an impossible old man or old woman, rise to the occasion and be challenged to treat them especially well.

Oldest Man in America

Helping Seniors Stay Active: Tom's Story



   

Poem by: Daniel Couwlier

Please do not forget me,

I was once young and fresh.

I tried so very hard, to do my very best.

I gave so much to everyone.  Asked nothing in return.

Please do not forget me now as the years begin to turn.

Can a Person with Bipolar Disorder be Happy?

Can I still be Happy with Bipolar?

  The answer is yes!  I do think being Bipolar makes it a little harder to achieve.  When you get on the right medication you will begin to feel better.  This is the hardest part of being Bipolar!  A lot of  people are constantly complaining about the meds they are taking.  They expect to feel a change right away.  It takes at least a couple of weeks before they begin to work. 

  A good Doctor will expain why he is prescribing you with a certain mediction.  I know some people who seem to be on way to many meds.  The least amount of drugs you can take the better off you will be.  If you are walking around like a zomby all day, you are on to many drugs.

  Try to keep people in your life who are upbeat!  Do not surround yourself with depressed people.  It will start to affect you, their unhappiness becomes your unhappiness.  Misery does like company, so if you want to be miserable, hang out with a miserable person.

  Watching to much television makes me depressed.  Just watch the news, almost everything is bad.  Even commercials can be depressing.  Next time you are watching television try to find a positive subject, it is not easy to do.  Think about what you are going to watch, before you even turn it on.

  Like anything else in your life, happines takes a little work.  There is no magic pill you can take.  Some people think that if they could just move away that it would make them happy.  Nope!  I tried it several times.  You live in your mind, not on your location.  Eventually, your problems will pack a suitcase and move in with you.  I do not mean this literally, I am just saying that you can not run from your problems.  Face them head on.

Here are ten things you can start doing to make you happy!

Establish and stick to a morning ritual: Your morning ritual could involve exercising, meditating, praying, remembering all the things you have to be thankful for, or writing compassionate notes to family and friends in need.

Eat a healthy diet: A healthy diet is a source of energy and nutrients, both of which contribute to physical and emotional well-being.

Exercise: If you don’t get enough physical exercise, you have less energy and stamina to work at achieving happiness. The simple tasks of everyday life become chores, and no one looks forward to doing chores! To reconnect with the joy of living, you have to get your body moving again in a way that goes beyond your normal daily routine.

Get enough sleep: Sleep is essential to health and happiness. Yet, millions of people suffer from acute and chronic sleep deprivation. Children need around ten hours per night. An adolescent needs eight to nine hours. Adults require seven to eight hours.

Seniors can get by on roughly six hours unless they’re unusually active — for example, doing a lot of physical labor or continuing to work full-time into their retirement years. (Seniors often nap at least once during the day, which means they can get by with a little less sleep at night.)

Meditate: Meditation is the oldest technique known to man for producing a state of inner calm and relaxation. All religions include meditation, in one form or another, as a primary way of achieving a spiritual connection. It has a variety of medicinal benefits — lower blood pressure, decreased muscular pain, improved sleep — in addition to leading to improved self-esteem and a general sense of well-being.

Make a spiritual connection: It doesn’t matter which religion you practice, or whether you actually consider yourself religious at all. (Plenty of people think of themselves as spiritual, but don’t follow any particular religious faith). What matters is how often you make that spiritual connection. Research has shown that just showing up at a religious service of some sort once a week cuts your odds of developing heart disease literally in half. Now there’s something to be happy about!

Be thankful: Gratitude is one of the identifiable key ingredients to achieving happiness. First your needs are satisfied and then you’re grateful — that’s how it’s supposed to work. But for many unhappy people, that’s not the case. They find themselves neither satisfied nor thankful for what life has provided in the way of material things or opportunities.

Think and feel with compassion: All world religions and all truly great figures in the history of mankind have one thing in common: They teach, preach, and exemplify compassion. Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Jesus, and Martin Luther King Jr. all were champions of compassion.

Lend a helping hand: What have you done lately to help someone else? You don’t have to be a knight in shining armor. The simplest things count, too.

Have a sense of humor: Lighten up! Try not to take life so seriously. Put a smile on your face. Don’t just read the sports page in the newspaper — read the comics! End the day by listening to your favorite late-night comedian. Spend some time with an irreverent friend, someone who has a healthy respect for the absurdities of life. According to the Bible (or The Byrds), “There’s a time to laugh and a time to cry.” Make sure you have the right balance between the two.

  

 

Red Flags to Bipolar Disorder!

BIPOLAR GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Red Flag sign 1. (Signs of Mania)

Some of these symptoms can't be observed by anyone but the person experiencing them, but he or she may tell friends and loved ones about them.
Unusual distractibility Enhanced creative thinking and/or behaviors Flight of ideas, Disorientation, Disjointed thinking, Racing thoughts, Increased focus on religion or religious activities
Psychosis (these symptoms are not present in hypomania)
Hallucinations
Delusions
Paranoia
Red Flags 2. (Signs of Depression)
Mania/hypomania is the upswing of manic depression, and depression is the downswing. An episode of depression may be very debilitating, often leaving the sufferer with significant problems in functioning. It is an extreme emotional state that impairs daily living, so it is important to be familiar with the warning signs of depression. Here's a look at the common warning signals of bipolar depression, which occurs in both bipolar I and bipolar II disorders and, to a slightly lesser degree, in cyclothymia.

There are a number of warning signs ( red flags) that you or someone you love may be experiencing depression. These symptoms of depression are organized into broad categories for easier reference. It is important to note that depression is experienced differently from one person to the next so not all symptoms will present for all individuals

Changes in Activity or Energy Level

Physical Changes Caused by Depression

Unexplained aches and pains
Weight loss or gain
Decreased or increased apetite
Psychomotor agitation or retardation

Emotional Pain of Depression
Prolonged sadness
Unexplained, uncontrollable crying
Feelings of guilt
Feelings of worthlessness
Loss of self-esteem
Despair
Hopelessness
Helplessness
Difficult Moods Associated with Depression

Irritability
Anger

Worry/anxiety
Pessimism
Indifference
Self-critical
Changes in Thought Patterns due to Depression
Inability to concentrate
Indecision
Memory problems
Disorganized
Preoccupation with Death
Thoughts of death
Suicidal ideation
Feeling dead or detached

Suicide is another serious issue for those diagnosed with this disorder. It is estimated nearly 30 percent of those diagnosed with bipolar disorder will attempt suicide at least once in their lives. This suicide rate is 20 times that of the general population. Each of us needs to know the warnings signs -- the red flags of despair -- so we may be prepared to help a friend in crisis, to see the cry for help from a loved one and to seek assistance when our own resources for coping have worn thin.
Red Flag 3.(5 Common Warnings of Potential Suicide)
Situational indicators
Loss of a Relationship Via Rejection or Separation
Death of a Loved One
Diagnosis of a Terminal Illness
Loss of Financial Security
A Change in Physical Appearance
Loss of Employment/A New Job
Loss of Self-Esteem
Abuse
Emotional Indicators

Depression
Hopelessness
Helplessness
A Sudden Lift Of Depression!
It is a well-known fact that as a person begins to climb from depression the possibility of a suicide attempt increases. There are two thoughts as to why this happens. The first is that when a person makes up their mind to take their own life, they become more at peace with the situation. They feel more in control and thus the depression begins to lighten. The second idea is that as lethargy lifts, a person finds the energy to carry out suicidal plans made while incapacitated. Regardless of the reason, however, this is a very critical time.
Behavioral Indicators
Acquiring a Weapon
Hoarding Medication
Putting Affairs in Order
Making or Changing a Will
Increased Interest in Suicide
Giving Away Personal Belongings
Mending Grievances
Checking on Insurance Policy
Withdrawing from People
Verbal Indicators
Straightforward Comments:
"I wish I were dead"
"I wish I had the nerve to kill myself."
"I wish I could die in my sleep."
"If it weren't for my kids, my husband ... I would commit suicide."

Hints:
"I hate life."
"Why do I bother?"
"I can't take it anymore."
"Nothing matters anymore."

What is Bipolar Disorder? An interview with Megan 

 

Mania & Depression Symptoms & Famous Bipolar People!

My name is Dan I was diagnosed with Bipolar Type1 in 1994.  Some of the things I have done in Mania!

Bipolar Glossary



MANIA
1. Went on huge spending sprees using credit cards.
2. Thought I was an angel
3. Became a pot smoker
4. Drove to other states with little or no money ending up in that states mental facility.
5. Played with peoples mind.
6. Lost my business
7. Went bankrupt
8. Convinced myself I was an angel.
9 Gambling

DEPRESSION

1. Stayed in my room for six months.

2. Thought of suicide alot.

3. Gained alot of weight, almost a hundred pounds.

4. Removed myself from everyone.

  I could go on listing forever. The good news is,  that I have been able to stabilize myself. I figured out how to control my Bipolar and that is what this blog is about. Helping and sharing information on how to control your Bipolar illness.

  Many famous people also deal with Biopolar Disorder. 

A-Z OF FAMOUS PEOPLE WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER

Stephen Fry on Manic Depression

wikipedia.org/wiki/Gogh

Igniting The Creative Fire: The Neurobiology Of Creativity In Bipolar Disorder 

 

 

Bipolar News ( Demi Lovato Discusses Bipolar Diagnosis)

Bipolar News

Demi Lovato 20/20 discussing her problems and her discovery of Bipolar Disorder.

Demi Lovato - 20/20 Interview [Extras] 

The lasest news on Bipolar Disorder (US News)

Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones recently sought treatment for bipolar II disorder, a condition characterized by prolonged "low" periods, her rep confirmed Wednesday. Zeta-Jones, who checked into a mental facility in Connecticut, has supported her husband Michael Douglas through his battle with throat cancer over the past year—and experts say such stress can trigger the condition. Bipolar disorder, which affects 2 to 3 percent of the United States population, is defined by cycles of severe depression and manic episodes. People with bipolar II, meanwhile, swing from major depression to milder, briefer manic states, without experiencing full-blown manic episodes. Treatment typically involves medication and psychotherapy, which can dampen mood swings and related symptoms and can reduce episode severity and frequency. "One of the things people often overlook because manias and hypomanias are splashy, is that most patients with bipolar disorder spend their lives depressed," Martin Evers, an outpatient psychiatrist and associate director of behavioral health at Northern West Chester Hospital in New York, told Time. "The tragedy of the disorder is the depression. A lot of days of your life are lost."

Bipolar Tests As with other psychiatric disorders, bipolar disorder cannot be identified physiologically (for example, with a blood test or an X-ray). Therefore, the diagnosis is made based on symptoms, course of the illness, and family history, when available. A thorough medical evaluation should always be included in the workup to rule out any other medical problems. Psychiatric measures have been developed that may be used to screen for symptoms of a bipolar disorder, such as the Bipolar Spectrum Diagnostic Scale or Mood Disorder Questionnaire.

3-ways-to-be-wise-about-psychiatric-drugs-for-kids

When a medication is recommended for your child, do your own research. The fastest way to get up to Speed: Log on to the National Library of Medicine's PubMed database of medical journal articles, and search for the name of the drug, along with "children" and "review". Review studies evaluate the work of dozens of scientists on a given topic and summarize the current practices and controversies. Also consider taking a look at the practice parameters from the AACAP, which are advice to doctors developed by a committee of M.D.s. They tend to be conservative. (Here's the 2007 practice parameter on treating bipolar disorder.)

It's OK to tell the doctor you want to go home and think about it. All drugs come with side effects and risks, and because many drugs have been tested only briefly in children, clear data on the risks and benefits isn't always available. Now is the time to think about yor child and weigh his or her needs against the best evidence available as to risks and benefits of the medication.

• Think of the medication as a trial purchase, not a lifetime commitment. Before starting your child on a new drug, set a future appointment when you'll meet with the doctor and decide if it's working. You know your child better than anyone, and you'll know if it's producing clear benefits in mood or behavior.

Bipolar Teens at Greater Risk of Substance Abuse

THURSDAY, June 5 (HealthDay News) -- Teens with bipolar disorder are at greater risk of smoking and substance abuse, says a Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) study that supports previous research.
"This work confirms that bipolar disorder in adolescents is a huge risk factor for smoking and substance abuse, as big a risk factor as juvenile delinquency," study leader Dr. Timothy Wilens, director of substance abuse services in MGH Pediatric Psychopharmacology, said in a prepared statement.
"It indicates both that young people with BPD (bipolar disorder) need to carefully be screened for smoking and for substance use and abuse and that adolescents known to abuse drugs and alcohol -- especially those who binge use -- should also be assessed for BPD," said Wilens, who is also an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
He and his colleagues analyzed data on 105 teens with bipolar disorder who were enrolled in the study at an average age of 14 and followed into adulthood. The study also included a control group of 98 teens with no mood disorders.
Incidence of alcohol abuse or dependence, drug abuse or dependence, and smoking was significantly higher in the bipolar disorder group than in the control group. Overall, the rate of substance abuse was 34 percent in the bipolar disorder group compared to 4 percent in the control group.
The study also found that young people whose bipolar symptoms began in adolescence were more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol than those who started having bipolar symptoms in Childhood.
"It could be that the onset of mood dysregulation in adolescence puts kids at even higher risk for poor judgment and self-medication of their symptoms," Wilens said. "It also could be that some genetic switch activated in adolescence turns on both BPD and substance abuse in these youngsters. That's something that we are currently investigating in genetic and neuro-imaging studies of this group."
Determining whether bipolar disorder begins before the start of substance abuse could prove of major importance.
"If BPD usually precedes substance abuse, there may be intervention points where we could reduce its influence on drug and alcohol abuse. Aggressive treatment of BPD could cut the risk of substance abuse, just as we have shown it does in ADHD," Wilens said.
The study was published in the June issue of the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

Older Fathers and Bipolar Offspring

Older men, particularly those over 55, are more likely to father children who develop bipolar disorder, according to a new Swedish study. The Associated Press Reports that the study published in September's Archives of General Psychiatry finds the heightened risk of fathering bipolar offspring begins at a paternal age of about age 40. Among men 55 and older, the risk of having a child who develops bipolar disorder is 37 percent higher than among men in their 20s. Still, the study authors say, the absolute risk isn't high enough to say that older men shouldn't become fathers. Previous studies have connected advanced paternal age to other mental disorders, namely schizophrenia and autism.

Mental Illnesses Too Complex to Predict With Gene Tests, Researchers Say
A genetic test to predict schizophrenia or bipolar disorder is far off, say researchers who have just found that 30,000 gene variations are involved in the development of those psychiatric disorders, Reuters reports. Intriguingly, the research, published in the journal Nature , suggests that bipolar disorder and schizophrenia have common genetic causes. "If some of the same genetic risks underlie schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, perhaps these disorders originate from some common vulnerability in brain development," one expert from the National Institute of Mental Health said in a BBC News report.

The researchers also found that schizophrenia patients have genetic variations on a section of chromosome 6 that has genes associated with immunity, which suggests that immune function may play a role in schizophrenia.  Earlier research suggests a link between schizophrenia and autism, U.S. News's Nancy Shute reported.

 

Bipolar Disorder and Sleep (insomnia)

SLEEP!

  Sleep,  is usually a big problem with Bipolar Disorder.  In this post, I will discuss how sleep is one of the most important issues in Bipolar Disorder.  If you are reading this and it is two in the morning you are not alone.

  I have had a lot of issues with sleep.  Not getting enough sleep can begin to make you go insane.  To me, it is my biggest problem, even to this day!  I really do not enjoy going to bed,  like most people do.  It is just a task for me.  I do it because I have to.

What may surprise you is that reduced sleep isn't just a symptom of mania - a short night can actually precipitate manic and hypomanic episodes. Studies have found that 25 to 65 percent of bipolar patients who had a manic episode had experienced a social rhythm disruption prior to the episode. "Social rhythm disruption" is some disturbance in routine affecting the sleep/wake cycle; it can be as simple as staying up extra late to watch a movie on television or getting wrapped up in an interesting online chat session, or as serious as being unable to sleep due to a family member's serious illness or death. "For reasons we have yet to learn, people with bipolar disorder seem to have more delicate internal clock mechanisms," said Dr. Ellen Frank, co-author of one of the studies. And once a sleep-deprived person has gone into mania, if he then feels less need for sleep (parasomnia) and, by staying awake perhaps 20 or more hours a day, is actually contributing to making the mania worse.
Some scientists believe that the reason the incidence of bipolar disorder has risen in modern times is the development of bright artificial light. Once upon a time, most people's sleep/wake cycles were regulated by the sun. Artificial light changed all that, and made it more likely that people who have a genetic predisposition toward bipolar disorder would actually develop the condition.

Ten ways to increase your sleep.

1.Cut caffeine. Simply put, caffeine can keep you awake. It can stay in your body longer than you might think – the effects of caffeine can take as long as eight hours to wear off. So if you drink a cup of coffee in the afternoon and are still tossing at night, caffeine might be the reason. Cutting out caffeine at least four to six hours before bedtime can help you fall asleep easier.

2 Avoid alcohol as a sleep aid. Alcohol may initially help you fall asleep, but it also causes disturbances in sleep resulting in less restful sleep. An alcohol drink before bedtime may make it more likely that you will wake up during the night.

3.Relax before bedtime. Stress not only makes you miserable, it wreaks havoc on your sleep. Develop some kind of pre-sleep ritual to break the connection between all the day's stress and bedtime. These rituals can be as short as 10 minutes or as long as an hour.

4.Exercise at the right time for you. Regular exercise can help you get a good night's sleep. The timing and intensity of exercise seems to play a key role in its effects on sleep. If you are the type of person who gets energized or becomes more alert after exercise, it may be best not to exercise in the evening. Regular exercise in the morning even can help relieve insomnia, according to a study.

5. Keep your bedroom quiet, dark, and comfortable. For many people, even the slightest noise or light can disturb sleep like the purring of a cat or the light from your laptop or TV. Use earplugs, window blinds or curtains, and an electric blanket or air conditioner everything possible to create an ideal sleep environment. And don't use the overhead light if you need to get up at night; use a small night-light instead. Ideal room temperatures for sleeping are between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures above 75 or below about 54 can disrupt sleep.

6. Eat right, sleep tight. Try not to go to bed hungry, but avoid heavy meals before bedtime. An over-full belly can keep you up. Some foods can help, though. Milk contains tryptophan, which is a sleep-promoting substance. Other foods that may help promote sleep include tuna, halibut, pumpkin, artichokes, avocados, almonds, eggs, bok choy, peaches, walnuts, apricots, oats, asparagus, potatoes, buckwheat, and bananas.

7. Restrict nicotine. Having a smoke before bed -- although it feels relaxing actually puts a stimulant into your bloodstream. The effects of nicotine are similar to those of caffeine. Nicotine can keep you up and awaken you at night. It should be avoided particularly near bedtime and if you wake up in the middle of the night.

8. Avoid napping. Napping can only make matters worse if you usually have problems falling asleep. If you do nap, keep it short. A brief 15-20-minute snooze about eight hours after you get up in the morning can actually be rejuvenating.

9. Keep pets off the bed. Does your pet sleep with you? This, too, may cause you to awaken during the night, either from allergies or pet movements. Fido and Fluffy might be better off on the floor than on your sheets.

10 Avoid watching TV, eating, and discussing emotional issues in bed.The bed should be used for sleep and sex only. If not, you can end up associating the bed with distracting activities that could make it difficult for you to fall asleep.

Relax and watch this video!