Here we will go over how to fight Bipolar disorder-related fatigue.
Bipolar disorder is a severe condition known for causing extreme mood swings that often lead to disturbed sleep cycles and fatigue. Caffeine and stimulants are often used to combat low energy, but consuming these items can worsen your symptoms.
Luckily, there are other ways to fight Bipolar disorder-related fatigue safely, so keep reading to find out.
Manage Your Condition
For some sufferers, Bipolar disorder can include manic episodes, severe depression, extreme happiness, and more mood shifts. These episodes can leave a person feeling exhausted, which is only one of the many symptoms associated with the condition.
No matter what symptoms you experience when dealing with this mental health condition, it is critical that medical care is received. You can talk to your primary doctor or a psychologist to treat Bipolar disorder with medications, therapy, and counseling. Once your condition is treated, symptoms like fatigue become much less frequent.
Get Some Physical Activity
Exercise can help with all types of bipolar episodes and symptoms that trigger fatigue.
Physical activity boosts energy when tired, wears you out when you have too much energy, and improves mood when feeling depressed or angry.
When you are active, the brain releases hormones such as:
- Epinephrine and Norepinephrine- These hormones help regulate energy levels.
- Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor– This hormone improves psychological functioning and cognition.
- Serotonin- This hormone improves mood and overall sense of well-being.
Getting up to exercise when tired can be difficult, but if you can find the mental strength to get up, you have already taken care of the hard part. Physical activity is only half of the work.
Change Your Sleep Routine
Episodes of rage may cause a person to exert all of their energy over a short period, resulting in a mid-day nap. On the other hand, episodes of happiness may make sleeping difficult, and depressive episodes may make you sleep all day. With such extreme mood swings, your sleep pattern becomes disturbed and must be corrected to eliminate fatigue.
To start regulating your sleep cycle, you can try doing the following:
- Create a bedtime and stick to it
- Set alarms to wake up at the same time each day
- Avoid taking naps during the day
- Cut out the use of electronics before bed
- Relax at night with aromatherapy, meditation, or a warm bath
Sticking to a schedule may be difficult in the first few weeks, so ask a loved one for assistance if possible.
Limit Caffeine
When fatigue hits, turning to a cup of coffee may seem like a viable solution since it provides an immediate increase in energy levels. However, it is best to avoid caffeine at all costs.
Drinking caffeine each day to combat fatigue is just a bandaid for a more significant issue, and once the caffeine wears off, you are left with your normal fatigue in addition to a caffeine crash.
Another thing to remember is that drinking caffeinated beverages in the evening can make falling asleep difficult. It is crucial to avoid any disruptions in your sleep cycle; therefore, caffeine use should be limited.
Stay Hydrated
Another reason to limit caffeine is that it can dehydrate you, and staying hydrated is essential to your physical health and energy levels.
Dehydration directly causes fatigue, low mood, and the depletion of essential body chemicals like electrolytes. Additionally, without ample water in your system, your body goes into overdrive to heal and function properly, which leaves you feeling exhausted.
To stay hydrated, consider the following:
- Limit caffeine and alcohol
- Drink three to four liters of water each day
- Eat more fruits and vegetables
Take the Right Supplements and Medications
Every individual finds themselves taking supplements and medications from time to time. However, a person with Bipolar disorder may take more pills each day than the average person. Unfortunately, although some medications are necessary, they may result in fatigue, so you may want to ask for alternatives. On the other hand, you can take supplements to keep your fatigue at bay.
Things to avoid:
- Sleeping pills
- Neuro-stimulants
- Central nervous system stimulants
- Antihistamines
- Cold medicines
Things to try:
- Vitamin B-12
- Psilocybin mushrooms
- Iron
- Vitamin C
- Folic Acid
Pay close attention to which medications and supplements are put into your body because many of them can disrupt your sleep cycle, leave you feeling extra tired, or give you too much energy.
