Bipolar and needing less sleep

Do you have times when you need very little sleep? When you wake up full of energy after only sleeping for a few hours? If so, this page can help you understand if a reduced need for sleep could be a sign of hypomania – and the steps you can take.

Is a reduced need for sleep a common symptom of hypomania? 

Yes. A reduced need for sleep is a key symptom of high mood in bipolar.  

In a Bipolar Commission survey of 2,200 people living with bipolar, 80% of respondents said they’d needed less sleep during a period of high mood.  

Is a reduced need for sleep the same as insomnia? 

No. Insomnia is where you can’t fall asleep and you wake up feeling tired.  

A reduced need for sleep is where you sleep for three hours or less and wake up full of energy. 

Most adults need seven or more hours of sleep a night, although sleep needs vary from person to person and change as you age. 

When is a reduced need for sleep more likely to happen? 

For people living with bipolar, a reduced need for sleep can be triggered by lots of different factors, including:

• stress – caused by things like exams, bereavement, trauma or divorce 
• change – caused by things like a new relationship or job, or a house move 
• jetlag – if you fly across time zones 
• substances – an excess of alcohol or caffeine, or illegal drug use 
• medication – if you don’t take it regularly, or a prescription change

What does a reduced need for sleep during hypomania feel like? 

The signs and symptoms of bipolar are varied and unique to each individual. Here, two people living with bipolar share their experiences of hypomania:

What causes a reduced need for sleep during hypomania?

Researchers don’t know exactly what causes a reduced need for sleep during hypomania.  

However, it’s thought the symptom is strongly linked to changes in the brain’s circadian (body clock) system and the pathways that regulate energy and activity.

Is a need for less sleep always a symptom of high mood in bipolar? 

A need for less sleep is not always a sign of high mood. 

A small percentage of people are ‘natural short sleepers’ who can function well with less than the recommended seven to nine hours a night.

How do I know if a reduced need for sleep is a symptom of hypomania? 

A reduced need for sleep is more likely to be a symptom of hypomania if:  

• you wake up feeling full of energy, not tired, after three hours or less of sleep
• you have at least two other symptoms of hypomania at the same time
• you need less sleep for at least four days 
• you’ve had periods before when you’ve needed less sleep

What happens if I ignore a reduced need for sleep? 

Sleeping less can trigger short-term surges of alertness or creativity, which some people find enjoyable.  

However, not getting enough sleep can have a negative impact on your long-term physical health and affect your breathing, digestive and immune systems.

And when you don’t get enough sleep, the part of your brain that helps to control emotional reactions becomes less effective, making it harder to keep feelings and mood in balance.  

If your reduced need for sleep is a symptom of bipolar, ignoring a period of hypomania can:

• disrupt your work, college or university life 
• impact your relationships with family, friends and colleagues  
• increase your risk of impulsive decision-making, such as reckless driving or unsafe sexual behaviour 
• damage your long-term financial security due to overspending and risky investments 
• lead to a manic episode, which usually needs treatment in hospital

What to do next 

1. Use these 10 tips to get better sleep
2. Track your mood with our free range of resources
3. Get support from our friendly Peer Support team
4. Book an appointment with your GP or psychiatrist as soon as you can