Should I be concerned?

[Leo]

As some of you will know I've just had two days where I've just not been able to cope.

If I was awake I was crying, so slept literally for two days - constant bar about 2 hours the first day after stupidly taking more of my sleeping tablets that I ought to.
The second day I slept on and off for most of it but felt a bit better. Got up, had something to eat and went for a bath.

Went to bed early at 9 but couldn't sleep...I'm straight back into insomnia but didn't want to take my sleeping tablets last night as I was still suffering from the previous night. I was also concerned this was just a brief moment of clarity.

So I've been up all night. Strangely enough I'm in a good mood. I have been baking and feel like nothing has happened, that the past few days were someone else's life.

It's actually concerning slightly as the last time I suffered the same constant sleeping it took me a few days to get back to 'normal'. Am I being irrational worrying about bipolar?

I'm going to make an appointment with my GP, I've been on Venlafaxine for a few months now at the highest dose so in my book I shouldn't have such debilitating lows as I am.
I have no intention of mentioning messing about with my sleeping tablets for a few reasons...one being they take them away from me and two I'm terrified if I admitted that I'd be dragged away by men in white coats lol. It's also one of the reasons I won't phone the crisis team if I dip so low.

[Got]

Hi,

I had a serious sleep disorder for over ten years. I made all the mistakes I could have made which only makes the problem worse. I am now much better.

I could give you pleanty of advice, but first I need to know a few things.

Have you a diagnosis?

What sleeping tablets do you have, and how long have you used them?

Apart from depression, do you ever feel anxious or have OCD?

How long have you had sleeping problems?

[Leo]

Hi Stevie,

The only thing that has been diagnosed is severe major depressive disorder, something I have suffered with for ten years, just never this bad. I have not been assessed by a psychologist yet. I think the sleep is being put down to my depression at the moment.

I was on a two week dose of Zopiclone which I managed to last over a month but didn't do anything to make me sleep.

Been on Zolpidem 10mg for 2 or 3 weeks now. It's doing the job at knocking me out most nights.

I don't have OCD but can get bad anxiety. Had my first panic attack in August. If I have an appointment with OH or CBT I usually struggle to sleep and feel sick.

I've struggled with my sleep for years. Usually waking up frequently during the night.
I've been suffering this insomnia since September this year and its the first time the doctor had prescribed me sleeping tablets.

[Catbrian]

I recently had a diagnosis of Bi-Polar.  It came as no surprise.  Google some stuff to read and then speak to the GP.  If you think this is a possibility, it might help to ask to see a psychiatrist for a general assessment.