FAQ/Help |
Calendar |
Search |
Disreputable Old Troll
Member Since Oct 2015
Location: The Star of the North
Posts: 32,762
(SuperPoster!)
8 17.4k hugs
given |
#1
I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with Sundown Syndrome. For a while now, I've been experiencing what, to me, sounds similar to what I've read about it.
Every afternoon, starting around 4:30 or 5 PM, I experience a noticeable increase in my anxiety level. I also begin to feel a slight dizziness along with what I suppose might be referred to as depersonalization / derealization. (I'm actually in the midst of it as I write this.) It's a strange feeling as though I'm kind-of mentally collapsing in on myself... if that makes any sense. Sometimes I even feel as though my gait is a bit off... sort-of heavy as though I'm walking through mud or perhaps wearing lead-weighted shoes. I've read that Sundown Syndrome is sometimes associated with dementia, but not always. (I don't think I have dementia... at least not yet.) And I don't think there's anything to be done about it. I just ignore it as best I can & go about whatever it is I'm doing, typically eating dinner & then cleaning up afterward. (It does seem to moderate as as the evening progresses.) But I am interested in anyone else's experiences with it. Thanx! |
Reply With Quote |
*Beth*, RoxanneToto, Travelinglady, unaluna
|
*Beth*
|
Elder Harridan x-hankster
Member Since Jun 2011
Location: Milan/Michigan
Posts: 39,861
(SuperPoster!)
12 66.4k hugs
given |
#2
Idk. Altho i did notice in this week leading up to daylight saving going off, that i went to bed earlier and earlier, as if my body knew it was "falling back".
Also, even tho for some of us, life during covid isnt too much different from before, i am noticing myself to be more aware of when is the end of the day. Altho again thats recent, and may be influenced by a med change. Do you take an afternoon nap? |
Reply With Quote |
Skeezyks, Travelinglady
|
Disreputable Old Troll
Member Since Oct 2015
Location: The Star of the North
Posts: 32,762
(SuperPoster!)
8 17.4k hugs
given |
#3
Thanks for replying to my post! No I don't typically take an afternoon nap. Occasionally I do. What's more likely is that I'll fall asleep watching TV or listening to music during the evening. I try to stay awake during the day as much as possible so I'll be able to sleep (again as much as possible) at night. But I often don't do a very good job of either one.
|
Reply With Quote |
Travelinglady
|
Member
Member Since Apr 2015
Location: Hemet, CA
Posts: 43
9 76 hugs
given |
#4
I'm sorry to hear about your symptoms. Both my mom and my mother-in-law had dementia along with Sundown Syndrome. We noticed things they said made less sense at the end of the day, and they also had more anxiety. The following article may be helpful: Sundowner'''s syndrome: Symptoms, causes, treatment, tips, and more
|
Reply With Quote |
*Beth*, Skeezyks, Travelinglady, unaluna
|
Disreputable Old Troll
Member Since Oct 2015
Location: The Star of the North
Posts: 32,762
(SuperPoster!)
8 17.4k hugs
given |
#5
Quote:
|
|
Reply With Quote |
CalMSW, Travelinglady, unaluna
|
Travelinglady
|
Veteran Member
Member Since Aug 2020
Location: LA
Posts: 518
3 260 hugs
given |
#6
Quote:
The darkness I think causes anxiety because I don't feel like I see well in the dark and I feel like if anything went wrong it would be that much more difficult to deal with things. I can see someone older feeling anxiety about falling or not seeing well. I typically go to my bedroom earlier (even if I don't sleep) to battle it. |
|
Reply With Quote |
*Beth*, CalMSW
|
*Beth*, Skeezyks, Travelinglady
|
Disreputable Old Troll
Member Since Oct 2015
Location: The Star of the North
Posts: 32,762
(SuperPoster!)
8 17.4k hugs
given |
#7
Quote:
|
|
Reply With Quote |
*Beth*, CalMSW, NatalieJastrow, RoxanneToto, Travelinglady
|
Travelinglady
|
catches the flowers
Member Since Jul 2019
Location: Downtown Vibes, California
Posts: 15,701
(SuperPoster!)
4 23.7k hugs
given |
#8
During the darker months I battle depression and anxiety; the anxiety is always at its worst right around 4 p.m. I know that when 6 p.m. rolls around there will be some relief. My pdoc mentioned that what I was describing reminds her of sundown syndrome.
__________________ |
Reply With Quote |
CalMSW, Skeezyks, Travelinglady
|
New Member
Member Since Mar 2011
Posts: 3
13 |
#9
Thanks for filling me in on this, tbh I had to Google it. The more you live the more you learn.
|
Reply With Quote |
CalMSW, Travelinglady
|
*Beth*, Skeezyks
|
Veteran Member
Member Since Sep 2018
Location: Birmingham UK
Posts: 603
5 229 hugs
given |
#10
I've also heard this mentioned in the context of dementia.
My mother is the same, although not diagnosed. It happens to her at other times of the day. A doctor has said it can be associated with dehydration and meds. In her case, the latter was proven. Her "ramblings" one day were not lack of fluids due to the very hot weather but an excess of calcium in her system. Solved that problem, but still having to remind her to drink plenty of water. Can also be, rightly or wrongly, linked to diet. A low blood sugar level impairs our thought process and ability to do normal tasks. Unfortunately, the instant remedy isn't biscuits or cake! |
Reply With Quote |
*Beth*, CANDC, Skeezyks, Travelinglady
|
Reply |
|