Melatonin Supplements and Bipolar Disorder

When Bipolar Disorder proves disruptive to your child's sleep, melatonin supplements may be helpful. Melatonin, a natural substance secreted by the pineal gland in the brain, regulates the sleep/wake cycle as well as many other functions in the body. It is believed that melatonin levels in bipolar kids may be too low at night and too high in the morning hours, prompting the brain to send ambiguous signals about when it's time to sleep and wake up. The idea behind the use of the supplement is to add melatonin to what the body already produces.

Various brands of both natural and synthetic forms are available in health food stores, though the man-made synthetic product is preferable. Melatonin should be given twenty minutes to an hour before bedtime. The proper dose varies from child to child, but I've found that anywhere from 0.5 mg to 4 mg/day can be effective, although some of my colleagues use higher dosages on occasion. So far, it appears that melatonin helps children fall asleep faster, sleep longer, and wake up fairly alert.

Melatonin is well tolerated, though I've found that some bipolar children occasionally experience an increase in depression with this hormone. Cautious use of melatonin is recommended because the hormone has not been subject to FDA review, and studies still need to be done to clarify melatonin's effectiveness and its side effects over the short and long term. Parents should be aware that melatonin supplements can have side effects including a change in sleep patterns, confusion, headaches, transient depression, problems with performing motor tasks early in the morning, fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, and an increase in blood sugar.¹

1. C. W. Fetrow and J. R. Avila, Professional's handbook of complimentary & alternative medicines, 3rd ed. (Springhouse, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2004).

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