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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by DanielJ on April 7, 2004, at 12:22:41
Ever since my son has been diagnosed Schizotypical about 4 in the afternoon he becomes more restless and active than any other. It seems to be between 4 and 7 PM. Someone who runs a group home said thay call this "Sundowning" and that their residents with psychosis are most active during that time of day. Is this a universal phenomenon? This time is when my son is edgy and wired even though medications have controlled most of his illness. He repeats certain phrases over and over though otherwise his behavior is pretty much normal.
Posted by T_R_D on April 7, 2004, at 13:12:29
In reply to A time of day more likely for manic activity?, posted by DanielJ on April 7, 2004, at 12:22:41
That's interesting..."Sundowning." I have never heard of that before. I can definitely attest to having my hypomanias occuring during this time--absolutely! Gee, I'm a "phenomenon." :) I wouldn't say that this is universal, however. Maybe just that--a phenomenon or a recognized occurrence.
Also, for what it's worth, I am a 34yo female dx with BPII.
Posted by T_R_D on April 7, 2004, at 13:23:40
In reply to A time of day more likely for manic activity?, posted by DanielJ on April 7, 2004, at 12:22:41
Hi again...further to this, I'm just poking around on the internet and the majority of information I'm seeing is about Alzheimer's Disease. They are theorizing that sundowning is linked to fatigue and that impairmed thinking in the Alzheimer patient tuckers them out. They spend so much energy trying to understand their environment that it wears them out.
Now I know neither your son nor I have Alzheimer's! However, another tidbit I read was linked to stress. Perhaps being overloaded with stimulation can bring on a type of stress that results in sundowning. I don't know. I do feel that stress is definitely linked to my manias. As an adult, however my stressors might be different than your son's...not sure how old he is.
Posted by jaby on April 7, 2004, at 14:24:00
In reply to Re: A time of day more likely for manic activity?, posted by T_R_D on April 7, 2004, at 13:23:40
I never get truly manic, but always have uncomfortable hypomania. I would say it peaks around 6-8 PM. I'm able to stave a great deal of it off through really intense exercise.
Posted by DanielJ on April 7, 2004, at 14:34:55
In reply to Re: A time of day more likely for manic activity?, posted by jaby on April 7, 2004, at 14:24:00
Early in the stages of treatment after his 1st major episode. He would pace back and forth somtimes for hours starting about 4 pm. Later as his condition improved and the medications took more effect he would shoot hoops (basketball) usually about 2 hours but on a bad(stressful) day up to 4 hours. Later still, as his improvement continued he became less and less active physically and more mentally active watching tv playing video games and repeating phrases out load and ocassionally walking around inside and outside. Now we have to encourage him to walk with us evenings to help keep his weight down.
Still mentally he continues to improve, largely due to the medications.
Posted by Sebastian on April 9, 2004, at 12:34:13
In reply to Re: A time of day more likely for manic activity?, posted by DanielJ on April 7, 2004, at 14:34:55
What does your son do all day? If he is being lazy, it would make sense that he would have energy to burn off at the end of the day. Maybe you can get him into physical fitness, jogging or weights.
I've been diagnosed with schitzo effective disorder. I find that I do best on days when I have activities to do like work and exercise. Weekends when I'm at home I don't do as well.
Posted by DanielJ on April 12, 2004, at 6:57:36
In reply to Re: A time of day more likely for manic activity?, posted by Sebastian on April 9, 2004, at 12:34:13
The same is true of my son. Weekends can be difficult. He has one friend he gets together with for video games etc and another he may see for 2 hours a month. I try to be his companion but it isn't the same as someone his age. I have to plan activities to keep him going. He won't discuss his illness with us but he will open up to his psychiatrist so that is good.
This is the end of the thread.
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