How Do You Handle Bipolar Fatigue

[Paul]

Bipolar fatigue is different from regular tiredness. It is not simply like feeling sleepy. It is actually more like you disappears all at once and even small tasks feel heavier. Some describe it as moving in slow motion, struggling to focus or feeling as if brain and body are out of sync. It can happen during depression, after a manic episode or even on such days which seem normal.

Many say that pacing themselves helps. They break tasks into smaller steps. Others keep basic things steady such as sleep, hydration or eating properly as even small imbalances can make fatigue worse. Some believes that light movement like stretching or a short walk may give a bit of energy.

Bipolar fatigue is unpredictable and forcing yourself too hard can sometimes make things worse.

Share your views. How do you handle bipolar fatigue.

 

[johny899]

Absolutely! I know what you mean about how different the fatigue associated with bipolar disorder can be from the regular feeling of tiredness. It seems as though both the body and the brain are working in slow motion, almost as if they have come to a standstill. I try to break tasks down into extremely small increments, no matter how ridiculous this may sound. Once I complete one small segment, that provides me with a small amount of motivation to keep going.

Being regular with my sleep, hydration, and nutrition has improved my living a lot more than I was expecting! I try at times to make myself perform stretching and/or go for a short walk in hopes of creating some energy. This has, in fact, provided me with minimal results. At the same time though, I continuously tell my self not to overdo it, I have found that attempting to push through will oftentimes cause my day to feel like lead afterwards.