People with bipolar disorder know that staying up late can lead to mania or hypomania, which is often followed by depression.  But sometimes it's hard for friends and family to understand why they need to sleep on time.  In the summertime,  people with bipolar are torn between attending late-night events with friends and sleeping on time to prevent mania.  This podcast discusses the relationship between sleep, mania, and depression.  It also defines what "Good Sleep Hygiene" is and outlines 5 steps for explaining the "Bipolar Bedtime" to friends and family.

Food for Thought/Suggestions for Comments:

• Do you have friends and family who don't understand why you have to sleep earlier than they do?
• Can you apply any of these steps/strategies to help people understand?
• Has this podcast helped you better understand how a friend with bipolar feels?
• Has staying up late ever resulted in manic/hypomanic or depressive episodes for you?

--Jessica Lynn Gimeno