Posted by jerrympls on May 20, 2005, at 1:33:57
In reply to Why are evenings worse?, posted by Maxime on May 19, 2005, at 15:30:09
> Hello.
>
> I find that my depression takes over in the evening. I try to keep myself distracted by reading or writing, but still I feel a wave of sadness come over me. If I call a friend, I still feel very alone.
>
> Is there a biochemical reason for this? Would it have anything to do with cortisone levels?
>
> Sometimes I work on CBT exercises from the Feel Good Handbook to see if it will help, but so far it hasn't.
>
> It really is a significant drop in my mood. When I can cry .... I do. Right now I can't cry. I don't feel any anxiety or anything just EXTREME sadness.
> This has always been the case for me. It's like my anti-depressant just stops working.
>
> Anyone have any input? Sometimes I don't feel very safe at night and I end up having to call a hotline. A few nights ago I went to the hospital, only to be sent home and feeling even worse.
>
> Help?
>
> Maxime
>
HI MaximeI'm the same way. But I get more anxious and lonely than sad. Part of it for me, I think, is that my Dexedrine has worn off - but I also think that cortisol levels have some impact as well. If I am not mistaken, cortisol production/release? is *supposed* to taper down at night staying at lower levels throughout the night and then gradually tapering back up in the morning. I THINK?? But I wouldn't blame it all on cortisol - medication timing, hormones, melatonin function, etc all come into play. I had my cortisol levels checked pretty thoroughly a while back and they found that my levels were consistently LOW! Which kinda makes sense - since my depression is more anhedonic/lethargic, etc.
I know scientists are looking at meds that stabilize the cortisol system - otherwise known as the HPA axis. My pdoc think that my HPA system is out of balance - but haven't found any suitable meds to try to get it back on track.
I also notice that I get more lethargic and depressed in the spring/summer months. Exact opposite from usual SAD. Not sure why that would be? But I can certainly feel a bit of mode improvement in the Fall & Winter months.
Anyway, hope this helps..
Jerry
poster:jerrympls
thread:499967
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050516/msgs/500200.html