It seems like I keep hearing of more and more people who have bipolar disorder. I can name at LEAST 15 people I know who "have" bipolar. Plus, I hear of others having it all the time too.

What do you think about that? Do you see it too, or am I reading into something that isn’t there?

If SO many people have bipolar, maybe it is actually "normal" and those who don’t have the diagnosis are NOT "normal"….. (Yes, I need sleep lol)

I’m 20 years old. I was diagnosed with hypersomnia nearly 2 and a half years ago following a sleep test. During the daytime 20 minute nap tests (four 20 minute naps), I fell to sleep within 3 mins (less than 2 once) on average. And I remember not even being very sleepy that day.

I’m currently taking 400 mg provigil every morning (prescribed by my sleep doctor), and Ritalin as needed. Caffeine does absolutely nothing for me, nor do energy drinks.

I am just curious what other people suffering from this are doing to ease their symptoms. My doctor says sleep is the best cure. No doubt, but I cant get the 12 hours he recommends every night. Having tough course work in school rarely allows for even 8 hours.

Also, what do you tell your friends, or people in general who just can’t understand how sleepy you are? How badly it impares you?

maybe you read my other qestion about things feeling unreal, but ive looked things up and it sounds alot like depersonalization disorder. symtoms i have are: feeling unreal like watching my life in a movie, time lapses like im here but then all the sudden i wake up but i never went to sleep, like im not in reality, and one of my fears were that i was going crazy or insane. and again im 14 and this all started in the wrestling season wen i cutt some wieght, but wrestling is over now and im still feel the same way. and can you treat this without drugs?
also the doctors said i had a concussion but i dont think these last for 2 months and i have sime diffrent symptoms from a concussio

I am on Clomipramine (200mg), Seroquel (800-1000mg), Zyprexa (15mg), and Valium (5mg to 20mg a day) for Obsessive Compulsive disorder and Depression. I had something terrible happen to me last night/early morning. I can’t go to sleep because I feel last time I did, I was being possessed by evil spirits. Then I was being chased by giants. Then the next thing I knew, I had my face buried in the sand in a dark part of the woods and they were after me again. Then I was on my back on the ground with my hands jammed backwards, and then I saw a big black spiral or vortex, and I woke up with my vision pointed sideways. I was facing the couch one second, then I closed my eyes and I was paralysed with fear that there was a sinister presence behind me. At first, I was too petrified to look, but managed to eventually, but there was nothing there. The next night I selpt fine. But the night after, it started again. One minute I’m lying on the couch and then I see a human body with white eyes and a snake toungue saying "I’ll see you in Hell, Ryan". Then I feel like I’m having a convulsion or a fit, and my vision is that of being inside a ping pong ball being smashed around, topsy turvy and my vision is scattered. Then my brother turns against me and then I’m naked and my mum sees me. Next, I’m on the floor rolling around and I can’t scream or yell out as if I were mute or my lips were sown shut. Then, I’m back on the couch. I can’t tell whether I’m asleep or awake. I can’t tell the difference between fantasy and reality. When I try to open my eyes, its like trying to lift up a Holden Commodore ute. My eyes won’t honour opening up. Then all my eyes just spasm all over the place and I feel I’m stuck in another dimension; perhaps halfway between earth and the lower astral field belt. Then I feel like something or someone is dragging me accross the floor all over the place and I can’t stop it. Then I feel that I’m turning into water and I’m going down a drain. I’me getting pushed and pulled by something and I can’t elaborate more than that. I’m not doing illicit drugs. I look to someone who can explain these horrendous experiences. You see, I don’t think they were dreams, I believe they are real. You know, a paranormal encounter. Are they hallucinations of some sort? Should I just pop another Valium or smoke a joint or something? I live in the hills with my dad and he is very concerned. We need to get some answers. For the love of pete, what is going on here? I’m losing my appetite, I am too frightened to go to sleep. I don’t feel safe even when I sleep in the lounge with my dad next to me. No one can help me. Please pray for my soul. I don’t want to lose my mind. I have an appointment to see my doctor, but thats not for another month.
For God’s sake…I need an answer!

My doctor prescribed this for me to help me sleep. I am a chronic insomniac. The drug apparently is used for several disorders, one of them being seizures. Please let me know any side effects, if it really worked, etc. Thanks!

How have you dealt with sleeping problems, mild or otherwise? Any personal experiences or recommendations you can share?

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 11 years ago. Prior to that I was diagnosed with Hashmotos hypothyroidism, an auto-immune disease attacking the thyroid. 3 years ago, when trying to DC a med for Fibromyalgia, I learned that I had developed Essential Tremors. Now I’ve moved on to Restless Leg and Periodic Limb movement disorder. I’m dealing with the central nervous system here, and wonder if I don’t have Chronic Lyme, although all tests have been negative. I grew up in the woods of a lyme infested area of PA. I’m dealing with it all, but the lack of sleep associated with Fibromyalgia and the waking from periodic limb movement disorder and minor Sleep Apnea are reaking havoc with my life. Anybody out there dealing with the same mess??? I’m all ears.

Okay I don’t sleep more than 4-5 hrs. during school hours so I fall asleep in class but I’m half-sleep when I do. But today was different because I was talking to the teacher and I fell half-sleep when she was talking to me.Now that was really weird because that never happened to me before. She told me to go see a doctor. It was so embarrassing. Anyway should I see a doctor or just try to sleep earlier?Thanks~

Sometimes I’ll sleep for about 10-12 hours if I’m allowed to. Then when I’m in school I get an overpowering urge to fall asleep. By that I mean sometimes I’m fighting to stay awake and other times I’m listening to a lecture and suddenly it’s an hour later. Other sleep related conditions I have are Insomnia and Sleep Apnea.

Could I have hypersomnia? What are the exact symptoms of it? Is there a way to treat it?