anyone wlse out there? I get up at 4-5am and lay there until 6am. Even with my therapy lamp come 7pm I want to dive into bed. I force myself to stay up until 9 or later but it's really hard.

[*Laurie*]

For so many years I was a night person, but that seems to have changed. I'm also up before dawn and have a really hard time staying up past 9. I don't know what to make of it...I worry that depression makes me want to sleep earlier.

[LettinG0]

I am definitely not a night person......never have been. I am usually up for the day between 4:00 am and 4:30 am. And, yes, I go to bed very early too. It's just the way my internal clock is running and I just go with it......it definitely beats the alternative of not being able to sleep....or sleeping very little.

I'm not usually like that so much but the shortening days are affecting me like that. I feel like my energy is gone and my day is done around 8 pm. The only thing that keeps me from going to bed then is that I'd be sure to wake up around 1 am and be miserable.

Plus, I'm trying very hard to keep regular sleeping and waking times.

[BlueEyedMama]

Unless I am having sleep issues like this morning my sleep schedule is fairly consistent 10pm-7am. I used to be a night owl but age is kicking in I think.

I have tried switching from using my therapy lamp today from early morning until this afternoon. Well, it's 630pm and I feel pretty good so far

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by rcat

I have tried switching from using my therapy lamp today from early morning until this afternoon. Well, it's 630pm and I feel pretty good so far

Good! I hope you have success.

[magical loser]

im not a night person either. its 7pm now and ive already ran out of energy...

[StarGazingFish]

id love to be able to go to bed earlier on,my brain doesnt allow it-never has done.
i go to bed after 1am as i cant sleep,and at the moment [for a week] im on zopiclone as ive had two weeks of sleep deprivation thats triggered severe pyschosis.

well, I'm still having a hard time adjusting my rythm - going to bed after 9 and waking up after 7 is my goal. In reality its in bed by 7 and up at 4. But good news, it's 830 tonight! I'm awake! But it feels like a marathon to do so. My aim is that 9pm!!!!!

[-jimi-]

I think one should follow the inner pattern if that is possible. I wouldn't at all mind going to bed at 8 pm if that was what my body told me. Not as long as I got good sleep.

But yea, people with circadian rhythm issues often have a tendency to either make their days longer (for the night owls) and shorter (for the morning people), and just to function one has to try to stabilize the pattern.

Still I think it's important to try to keep it as close as to when you sleep the best.

great news! I slept closer to a proper sleep last night!

Instead of using my therapy lamp in the morning, I waited until after dinner. It still took an effort but I was able to stay up until 945pm (a far cry from 7a,). And I was able to stay asleep until 650am. Woot, woot!

[Pikku Myy]

I am not a night person either. In my normal pattern i go to bed around 9pm and snooze till 6am I now realize when i begin to stay up till 3 or 4 in a morning, I am having a mood change and barely get 2 hours of sleep at night. Routine is good for me.

[Thunder Bow]

Just go with your natural tendency to sleep. Try not to fight it to much.

well it's been near two weeks, and it hasn't gotten much better folks. I have started using my therapy light after it get's dark (530pm about now). I'm still going to bed early, still getting up well before dawn. The positive thing is that I sleep right through. With the exception of last night, I haven't woken up from anxiety filled dreams trying to catch my breath. My sleep has been uneventful.

[whimsyalley]

Hello. RCat. I was wondering if the light therapy has helped you in regards to depression. Medication alone is not working for me. I bought a light therapy "box" and have been using it for just a few days. If it helped you how long did it take?

[Thunder Bow]

I go to bed at 8, and get up at 5:30. Nothing wrong with your sleep schedule. Go to bed when you feel like it. What you sleep times show, is that you are healing. I think your anxiety has faded away.

(((rcat)))