Psychiatrist Anton Shestakov has warned that feeling fully rested after three to four hours of sleep is a reliable marker of bipolar affective disorder.
Speaking in an interview with regional publication UfaTime.ru, Shestakov explained that bipolar affective disorder is a mental health condition characterized by alternating phases of emotional highs and lows.
The psychiatrist and psychotherapist noted that a low requirement for sleep is considered one of the most dependable indicators of the disorder, particularly when patients enter an elevated phase.
Signs of the manic phase
According to Shestakov, people experiencing the elevated or manic phase of bipolar disorder need only three to four hours of sleep to feel energetic and alert.
Shestakov added that during a manic phase, an individual also experiences heightened sociability, accelerated thinking, and faster speech patterns.
Patients in this state often develop grandiose plans and become easily irritated when others object to their ideas, the psychiatrist said.
The psychiatrist noted that people in an elevated phase are prone to impulsive behavior, including making high-risk decisions and sudden large purchases.
Bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic depression, is a psychiatric illness that affects mood stability and behavioral control. In clinical practice, manic episodes are characterized by sustained emotional elevation, increased drive, and reduced sleep requirements.
Symptoms of the depressive phase
Shestakov outlined a contrasting set of symptoms that mark the depressive phase of bipolar disorder, including a severe decline in energy, gloomy thoughts, and general sluggishness.
The psychiatrist added that patients in a depressive period experience feelings of sadness, personal worthlessness, and deep guilt.
Other symptoms of the depressive phase identified by Shestakov include overeating and excessive sleepiness, known as hypersomnia.
Shestakov emphasized that these episodes are not simple mood swings occurring within a single day. He explained that each phase lasts for days or weeks at a time, significantly altering behavior, sleep habits, and working capacity.
The psychiatrist noted that initial episodes of bipolar affective disorder typically appear between the ages of 15 and 30.
Dietary effects on cognitive function
In separate medical commentary reported by the publication, neurologist Galina Chudinskaya previously outlined how food affects brain performance.
Chudinskaya clarified that an individual's overall dietary pattern, rather than specific individual foods, has the strongest negative impact on memory and cognitive function.
