20 Little-Known Steps to Outsmart Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

15. Sleep Hygiene as a Recovery Tool

Poor sleep can intensify nerve pain, impair immune regulation, and reduce your capacity to heal. Unfortunately, CIDP symptoms—like tingling or muscle cramps—can also disrupt sleep. That’s why prioritizing sleep hygiene is key. Stick to a regular bedtime, reduce blue light exposure in the evenings, and avoid stimulants late in the day. Create a wind-down ritual that includes stretching or a warm bath to relax overactive nerves. Discuss sleep disorders with your doctor—sleep apnea is more common in autoimmune conditions. Restorative sleep helps regulate inflammation, stabilize mood, and optimize nerve repair. It's more powerful than it sounds.

16. Psychological Support and Pain Coping Tools

Living with a chronic condition like CIDP can take a serious toll on mental health. Anxiety, depression, and frustration are common—but rarely addressed. Therapy (especially CBT) can help reframe pain, manage fatigue-related guilt, and develop tools for emotional regulation. Mindfulness-based stress reduction has been shown to reduce chronic pain perception and support nervous system regulation. Support groups, whether online or in person, offer community validation and shared insight. Mental health is physical health when it comes to chronic neurological illness—your nervous system functions best when stress is under control. Make space for your emotional well-being.