Almost everyday, I wake up with a dreadful feeling- for the day to follow and for how I will manage everything with my limited energy. The fact is that one of the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder is lack of energy or fatigue. Let’s break this down. 

Poor sleep

I don’t sleep well about 4 nights a week. People who sleep well cannot imagine the debilitating effect that not sleeping has on your mind and body. Poor sleep has many effects on your mind and body. Mundane things like waking up and getting out of bed seem like a task. Lack of energy also means inability to use your day efficiently and effectively. And this applies to all aspects of your life- professional, exercising, as well as socializing. You simply don’t have the energy to do it all. 

Medication

Some medicines that are prescribed for bipolar, such as lithium, cause fatigue. Not taking the medicines is not an option in my mind. That can make things even worse by sending you into a downward spiral. 

Doing tasks

One of the side effects of this fatigue, which gets worse during a depression cycle, is inability to do even the simplest of tasks. For example, taking a shower, changing your clothes, tidying up your surroundings etc. You are barely able to take care of yourself. 

So then how do we tackle this problem?

1. Sleep hygiene– Sleep at a regular time every night. Have a ‘no electronics time’ for at least half an hour before going to bed. Try to sleep and wake up at the same time everyday. What helps me in the morning is to just get out of bed when the alarm rings. The longer I stay in bed, the harder it gets to get out of bed. 

2. Routine– I have a set routine for when to wake up, when to work, exercise, eat etc. As long as I stick to this routine, the day is fairly manageable. Most websites and doctors say no to naps during the day. But for me, I find a post lunch nap essential to be able to function for the rest of the day. 

3. Nutrition– Proper nutrition makes a big difference. I say this from experience. If you eat healthy, you feel better. Having coffee later than 4pm is a bad idea as it takes about 6 hours to process. Contrary to what you may think, after the coffee high wears out, it becomes a downer. Same with alcohol. Alcohol may feel good when you’re drinking it but it is basically a depressant. I drink one cup of coffee in the morning and limit alcohol to social occasions. 

4. Exercising– Exercising regularly is essential to your physical as well as mental well being. It helps build muscle, strength and endurance. In addition, while you’re exercising, your brain releases dopamine and endorphins, which are your feel good hormones. So even if you’re depressed, I recommend you force yourself to exercise at least a little bit because you are guaranteed to feel better. 

What is the solution? 

Unfortunately, in spite of practicing these things, I have less energy than my friends or my husband. The truth is, managing the energy also takes up a significant amount of energy. Managing this illness takes up a significant amount of energy as well. Then at the end of the day, I feel like I just don’t have any residual energy left in me to do anything else. It’s a matter of survival. 

I think I am able to manage my illness well, yet there is residual fatigue. I am not always able to do all the things I want to or go to places I would like to. 

So far, unfortunately, doctors have not found a cure to reduce this fatigue. I hope that one day, I will have enough energy to match my husband’s and not have to leave parties or other events early or cut short travel. 

There have been a lot of advances in mental health care in the last few decades. I think it’s only a matter of time until some cure for fatigue is found.  

https://psychcentral.com/bipolar/fatigue-bipolar-disorder#do-medications-cause-fatigue

https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/two-ways-treat-fatigue-bipolar-and-depression

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11713126

Disclaimer

If you are experiencing any symptoms of depression, please contact a mental health professional. 

I am not a mental health professional. All blog posts are based on my subjective experiences and opinions.