Can insomnia cause mania in bipolar disorder?
On One Hand: Insomnia Can Cause ManiaInsomnia can trigger the manic phase in bipolar disorder, according to Bipolar-Lives.com. Disturbed sleep patterns are one of the symptoms of mania and are used as one of several criteria to diagnose the disorder.On the Other: Insomnia Does Not Necessarily Cause ManiaPeople with bipolar disorder suffer from disturbed sleep patterns during and between episodes, according to Bipolar-Lives.com. The regulation of circadian rhythms–functions that govern sleep, appetite, body temperature and hormonal function–are irregular in people with bipolar disorder, according to Sciencedaily.com. Even during periods of normalcy, people with bipolar disorder may experience insomnia without it triggering mania.Bottom LineResearch has found that disruption of the Clock gene, a gene that controls circadian rhythms (and sleep), can trigger manic behavior in bipolar patients.
