Eveningness and Its Associated Impairments in Remitted Bipolar Disorder

Abstract

Sleep-wake and circadian rhythm disturbances are common in remitted bipolar disorder. These disturbances include difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep, daytime sleepiness, sleep irregularity, and a circadian tendency toward eveningness. To date, few studies have examined the impact of eveningness on impairments in remitted bipolar disorder. Ninety-eight adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder I, II, or not otherwise specified were evaluated. Hierarchical linear regression analyses showed that eveningness was associated with greater sleep-wake disturbances, more unhealthy dietary habits, worse quality of life, more impaired interpersonal relationships, and more dysfunctional sleep-related cognitions and behaviors, controlling for age, gender, and years of education. Targeted intervention on dysfunctional sleep-related cognitions and behaviors may reverse eveningness and improve functioning in bipolar disorder.