Daily evening spike in depression/anxiety
 

Hi Everyone,

Almost every evening, around 5-6pm, I have a significant increase in my depression and anxiety levels. It significantly interferes with my functioning.

I am looking for reasons for this time cycling to occur. This was not present until my most recent head hit on Feb. 24.

I take Topamax, an SSRI and a mood stabilizer. I did have my mood stabilizer increased 2 weeks ago which helped overall but has not affected this evening timing issue.

I am currently taking supplements:
Mega womens vitamin
Niacin 500 mg
D 5000 mg
E 400 IU
Mega B-50 complex
Curcumin 950 mg
B12 500 mg on empty stomach (this I take in the morning)
Magnesium malate about 200 mg I think
Omegas EPA 720 DHA 480
Vitex chasteberry 400 mg
Adrenal blend with rhodiola 120 mg and holy basil 50 mg
C 500-1000 mg
I take all these pills at dinnertime.

I do still drink some caffeine, I admit: 2 cups coffee daily, at 8:30am and about 1pm.

There are some other obvious things, like - my kids come home from school at 3:30, end of day and quiet, tiredness. I do try to nap but often I can't fall asleep.

I am doing some gardening, spending time in the sun, and trying to do some light exercise daily. I was off sugar completely and fell off the wagon - I know that helps, but I am not overdosing.

A couple times I have cut through this with a very high amount of physical outdoor labor, but it shut me down, so I can't sustain that for more than a day or so.

I am looking for any input about the timing in particular. Is there something I am doing to affect this. Is there something I should do differently to change the timing of my day. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks so much.
Julie

Hi Julie,

I can get testy around that time, so I know how you dread it. A couple of thoughts-- maybe take your supplements around noon and see if that changes anything?

Also, keep a journal and note the pattern & triggers of these feelings.

Lastly, maybe you already do this, but try getting some/most dinner prep done ahead to make your evening less busy. That was always the rough part for me when I'd get home from work @ 6:30 pm.

I'm sure others will have good ideas for you.
Hang in there, you're not alone,
Grace

Julie,

I seem to pass through the he same stage at around the same time period. I search for an explanation but find no real pattern for cause.....just the effect!

Bud

Thank you for these responses so far. I forgot to mention that it lasts through until bedtime. It's a long time. That's why I'm looking for some kind of solution to change the course of the day. Thanks guys.

Julie, are you saying you take all those pills at dinnertime except for the B12?

Just personally but I take any multi B type vitamins at morning or spread throughout the day. If I take a multi B at night it would keep me awake. No idea why but that's how it works for me.

An idea -
Try having a small snack around 4pm.

It's nothing to do with post concussion for me, but I've always felt restless in the late afternoon before dusk.

Other idea was that I remembered discussions somewhere on the forums here about cortisol spikes and lows throughout the day. Main lows for cortisol are typically at around 4am and 4pm.

Here's an older post - the cortisol info from mrsD is interesting and it's in the middle of the post there somewhere. I had to go hunting for it.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post803121-181.html
from the STICKY - The Vitamin B12 Thread: in Peripheral Neuropathy Forum.

Yes Lara, that's what I've been doing. And I have been having trouble at night going to sleep but it's seemed related to being so depressed but maybe it's the B. I'm going to change that to morning. and go read the sticky. thank you.

Hi all,

One other thing for iPhone users~ Sleep Genius app.

I have not tried it for naps, but it is quite calming & helped my 9 yo niece fall asleep for the night in a 'less-than optimal' environment.

I haven't checked out the premium options yet.

This has been a volatile week, so implementing tonite -- can't hurt...any other input/reviews?

Thanks,
G