Bipolar Disorder Related Sleep Disturbances in Women

Insomnia is a common complaint associated with many psychiatric mood disorders. One of the most serious manifestations of insomnia may be seen in bipolar disorder during hypomanic and manic episodes. While patients with undiagnosed bipolar disorder typically present to behavioral health clinics during depressive episodes; a patient annoyed with an irregular sleep pattern may present to a sleep clinic and share symptoms characteristic of hypomania. Understanding bipolar disorder and the nuances associated with its diagnosis can help clinicians educate a patient on a suspected diagnosis and why a subsequent psychiatric evaluation is of importance. Obesity is a common occurrence in women with bipolar disorder increasing their risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Treating obstructive sleep apnea in conjunction with establishing psychiatric care provides the most successful outcomes for these patients. If a patient presents with an established diagnosis of bipolar disorder, avoid treatment interventions that restrict sleep as sleep deprivation can increase the risk of a manic or hypomanic episode.