Worry in the morning

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sal2612
joined 27 Aug 2004
63 posts

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Posted by sal2612, 14:28 30 September 2005

Just wondered if anyone else experiences a problem that I have that I think is linked to my SAD.

Around this time last year (before I got my lightbox) and all through the winter before, I had trouble staying asleep some mornings. As soon as I woke up (due to needing the loo, noises outside - whatever) even if it was hours before i had to get up, I'd start worrying about something. Sometimes it's something that actually needs worrying about (sorting out plans etc) but sometimes it's just stupid!

This morning I woke after only 3 hours sleep and started thinking that I had to move the car before the traffic warden arrives (which I sometimes have to do). I thought and worried until I was properly awake when I realised that the car was in the right place and didnt need moving. For the next hour I tried to get back to sleep and couldnt because I kept thinking and worrying about moving the car. It didnt need doing and didnt need worrying about but yet it would not leave my mind. As a result there was no way I could get back to sleep and I am now shattered and can hardly think straight! It's so frustrating.

I do not suffer very badly with my SAD and can keep on top with my lightbox which I am planning to start using soon, but I didnt think the weather was quite bad enough yet. I think I might give it a go - I need to sleep more!!

Does anyone else do this?
Julie in Sussex
joined 21 Jan 2003
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Posted by Julie in Sussex, 16:42 30 September 2005

Hiya Sal ~ yep, all toooo familiar!

When my SAD is at its very worst I tend to wake at 3am and it starts. First I think, "oh please don't let me start thinking, will this be just like last night ...." and hey presto, it is. Into my tiny tired brain sneaks something utterly absurd, which if it were daytime, would not really even feature in my life, but no, I have to worry it to shreds, get a racing heart, hot and bothered and fail miserably to go back to sleep until 10 minutes before my Lumie begins it's unenviable task of waking me for my day. I end up exhausted for the remainder of the day, as if I wasn't tired enough anyway, usually have a pounding headache just to ice the cake.

Sometimes these night time thoughts develop into a full blown panic attack and by daylight I am a wreck. Had one the other night which was so bad it left me very hard of hearing until mid afternoon.

My latest self help ploy .. as soon as an unacceptable thought arrives, I shrug it off with the rebuff of "nope, not interested, can't do that type of thing out of daylight hours, sod of" ... and, amazingly it sometimes works!

SAD is a challenge, when you think about it it's even difficult to get a good night's kip, tired as we all are.

So yes, it does happen to me too, probably others as well, but to be honest I don't know if it is actually a bona fide SAD trait.

So, if it happens again, talk to yourself (now is this the first of second sign of madness..... !) :? :lol:
siddy
joined 22 Jan 2003
674 posts

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Posted by siddy, 19:11 30 September 2005

Yeah I woke at five forty a few days ago and seem to be waking before alarm (6.45) each morning. I know this is short lived though and give it a month will be struggling to wake.

I sometimes get anxious for no reason but not much this year, the 3am panic attacks I believe for me start during December.

hey ho..............
sebrown
joined 18 Nov 2002
221 posts

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Posted by sebrown, 22:29 3 October 2005

I have been waking between 1 and 2 hours earlier for about a week.
then i fall asleep in the afternoon!
I haven't even wanted to go out on my motorbike or do any exercise.
have been using the blue light for a month but as usual for me this
doesn't work either.
bummer
gailx
joined 4 Sep 2005
17 posts

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Posted by gailx, 23:10 4 October 2005

Hi,
I have just put up a post about this.. I think the weather is changing and its affecting us saddos....

About two weeks ago, I was in a my new car, thats taken my about ten years to buy / afford, (im not boasting its took forever to get.....) driving home thinking how happy and lucky I was. I was just really happy and felt great...

Now I feel worried and anxiety kicking in about nothing, ive had some crying attacks and feeling crappy and it just dont make sense.. suddenly the worlds a pile of pap...? Nothing has changed from a couple of weeks ago, nothing at all, except my stupid head?


Ive slummed around the house for a couple of days feeling sorry for myself... tomorrow im going to make myself go into town for a walk in the sunshine presuming there is a bit.

So what about anyone else, your sleep patterns sound like they are turning to sad mode what about your mood swings?
Love Gailx
Linda
Linda
joined 15 Dec 2004
997 posts

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Posted by Linda, 06:45 5 October 2005

The fact that this place is busier than it was a month ago is testament to how many of us are starting to feel the SAD (smile). It's quite common for it to start in September, you are definitely not alone.
Are you using a light box? Every day?
Linda.
Julie in Sussex
joined 21 Jan 2003
541 posts

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Posted by Julie in Sussex, 11:39 5 October 2005

....
I was just really happy and felt great.................

Now I feel worried and anxiety kicking in about nothing, ive had some crying attacks and feeling crappy and it just dont make sense.. suddenly the worlds a pile of pap...?
..........................
Love Gailx


Yes Gail, I completely understand. In fact a wee while ago I put in a post asking if anyone else on the forum actually had a huge sense of euphoria just before their black dogs arrived. I have to say though that no one responded... :(

Late August/early September annually (and again in March, but that's another story) I have anything between 3 days and a week of a blissful euphoric state when absolutely all is well with the world and, well, everything! It's only in the last 10 years or so that I have noticed that this euphoria has a slight taint to it, and realise it is because this happiness actually spells out in capital letters, impending all consuming gloom and despair which literally arrives overnight.

This little spell of euphoria is so pleasant that I have naturally never thought to complain about it to my GP, who would! Anyway, it appears it is an integral part of the diagnosis. This year the euphoria arrived about 1 August and by 8 August total despair and despondency landed on me, I became a shadow of my former self, and had no choice but to do something about it.... off to the GP, holding out little hope, I went. I am now trying to work with being bipolarSAD, am taking Prozac which is levelling me out (rather than making me feel good), and am waiting for a referral :roll:

Has this happy state happened to you before, just prior to your gloom? Does it happen for a second time in a year for you, as mine does in March? 'parently all part and parcel of the bipolar issue. Like the 'winter blahs', the 'winter blues' and full blown 'SAD', bipolar also appears to have varying degrees from only just noticeable to being hospitalised.

All interesting stuff, not something I really enjoy talking about, but just in case someone else out there finds this whole thing bewildering and a total drag, all bits and snippets of info are good I guess. Note though, I am on a huge learning curve .... any other input on the subject would be appreciated.

Take care, none of us are alone in our dissimilar similarity. At least there is somewhere to come and chat. I have said things to you lot I have not dreamt of telling most of my acquaintances. The world is a stage and it's my job to act as me ....

Anonymous
joined 8 Aug 2008
30729 posts

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Posted by Anonymous, 21:24 5 October 2005

HI,

Yes you seem right only I never thought about it as a major high.... I got the dream car in aug... and that I thought was the reason I was on cloud 9..... pretty ok through sept too... I have mostly noticed my (summer life only) how happy I was when driving...

But yes also too in May, I go like a mad hatter.... im so excited about (NOTHING USUALLY) im just excited, I am awake round the clock often and not in the slightest tired... I could go a couple of days without sleep...

In fact if someone has said they had laced my tea with speed... and kept doing it... id think its true as I am so hyper...

But as for bipolar...... I only got real bad a few years ago and that was shitty boyfriend and someone steeling off me at work.. The combo was go to anti d's but im off them and have been fine... for about a year I think. It took me about a year to get off them as i didnt want the kick ass side effects...

Also the activity on the board as the other lady state, I suppose says it all really.....

Its a relief that its SAD and not something else... kind of calms me down that ill be alllllright... er next MAY!!! (ARRRRRRHHHH).

In better spirits today..
Hang inthere.. and thanks for your reply.x Gail

Anonymous
joined 8 Aug 2008
30729 posts

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Posted by Anonymous, 04:19 31 October 2005

Okay, ya i can see your point.

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