If you’re living with bipolar disorder, you may notice your dreams are intense or even frightening. Mindwell Urgent Care in Dallas, TX, can help you understand this connection. Nightmares and bipolar disorder are closely linked, but many people don’t realize how much their mental health affects their sleep. Full nights of upsetting, vivid dreams or poor sleep are common experiences for people with bipolar disorder.
Studies show that bipolar disorder and night terrors often go hand-in-hand. These nightmares can worsen mood swings, increase anxiety, and interrupt your recovery or treatment. Read further to explore the link between nightmares and bipolar disorder dreams, as well as tips for coping with them.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition affecting nearly 3% of U.S. adults that causes strong mood changes. These changes, called episodes, might make you feel super happy and energetic or very sad and tired. Such ups and downs can last for days or weeks. There are two main types of bipolar disorder, both of which can affect your sleep and dreams:
- Bipolar I – This includes severe manic episodes, sometimes with depression.
- Bipolar II – This version involves milder manic episodes, called hypomania, and more depression.
Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
It’s important to know the common signs of bipolar disorder if you think it may be affecting you or someone you love. Reach out to a mental health provider if you notice the following symptoms, along with issues sleeping or increasingly vivid dreams:
- Big mood swings
- High energy or trouble sleeping during mania
- Feeling sad, hopeless, or tired during depression
- Trouble focusing or making decisions
- Risky behavior, such as spending sprees or quick decisions
- Pulling away from friends and family
How Bipolar Disorder Affects Sleep
Sleep problems are a major element of bipolar disorder. About two-thirds of people living with it report issues with sleep. Both depression and mania can disrupt how you sleep or dream. During manic episodes, you may not feel tired or sleep very little. On the other hand, during depressive episodes, you could sleep too much. These changes can make your dreams more intense than usual. When you don’t get good quality sleep, your brain can become more active at night. This is why nightmares, vivid dreams, and even night terrors can become more common for people with bipolar disorder.
Dreams and Night Terrors With Bipolar Disorder
Not all dreams are pleasant. Bipolar disorder often causes people to remember more of their dreams, and some may be disturbing. Nightmares, or bipolar nightmares, are dreams that cause strong feelings of fear, panic, or sadness. Some people also have night terrors. Unlike regular nightmares, night terrors often cause you to wake up feeling scared or confused, sometimes even screaming or moving around in bed. These experiences are exhausting and can make it even harder to manage your mood and mental health.
How to Cope With Nightmares and Bipolar Disorder
You can’t always stop bad dreams, but there are ways to cope with nightmares and bipolar disorder. They include:
- Keep a Sleep Routine – Try to go to bed and wake up at the same times every day, even on weekends. This helps train your brain and makes sleep more predictable.
- Limit Stimulants – Stay away from caffeine, nicotine, and too much screen time before bed. These can make it harder for your brain to relax.
- Manage Stress – Practice deep breathing, stretching, or gentle yoga before bed. Writing your thoughts down in a journal can also be helpful.
- Track Your Dreams – Keep a dream journal. Write down your dreams and how you felt afterward. This can help you spot patterns and talk to your mental health provider about them.
- Talk to a Professional – Sometimes, bipolar nightmares and night terrors are signs your current treatment isn’t quite right. A mental health provider like Mindwell Urgent Care can review your medication or offer therapy to help you sleep better.
Reliable Mental Health Treatment Options Are Available
Mindwell Urgent Care understands the challenges of bipolar disorder and vivid dreams. Our team offers a safe space in Dallas, TX, to discuss your issues, find ways to improve your sleep, and help you feel better overall. We also provide telepsychiatry services for residents throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Florida, and New Jersey. Our proven treatment methods include medication support, cognitive behavioral therapy, and urgent mental health services. Reach out to us so that you don’t have to face your challenges alone.
Contact Us for Bipolar Disorder Support Today
Nightmares and bipolar disorder are tough to manage by yourself, but help is available. If you’re struggling with bipolar nightmares, vivid dreams, or night terrors, rely on the psychiatrists and mental health providers at Mindwell Urgent Care. We’ll provide treatment options and support for your sleep and mental well-being. Contact us today.