Please help: black moods in the evenings

[GurlwiththeCurl]

To be honest, I am getting desperate about this. I have multiple health issues and this means that I am almost totally bedridden and have been for nearly ten years. I have been prescribed a tons of meds, including a low dose of antidepressants, and all has been on a fairly even keel for a number of years, until the last few months. My meds schedule means that I take a bunch of pills, including the antidepressants, at 10.00 a.m. and another different lot at 10.00 p.m.

Recently, a dark black mood settles on me in the early evening and carries on until I go to sleep at around 11.00 p.m. I feel terrible and cannot stop crying, which frightens my family. I would never take my own life, but when these moods settle on me, I fantasise about the methods I could use.

During the rest of the day, my mood is fine. I keep myself entertained with my iPad and manage with help from my family.

Can anyone suggest what might be causing this and any ideas about what I could do? Thanks in advance.

Bump, just in case!

That does sound difficult. When the Doctirs reopen could you ask fir a medicine review? It does sound like the recent change could be affecting you

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I think I will have to talk to the GP after the holidays. I am under so many different consultants that it gets confusing. Perhaps the GP can sort it all out.

I would examine possible hormonal changes and the effect your medication might be having on you.

Hi there.

First of all OP, I'm so sorry to hear about your debilitating health conditions. It sounds like you have a heck of a lot to cope with on a daily basis. You mention that this "dark black mood" has started recently. So what has changed in your life? Can you think of anything? Have your meds been reviewed recently? You also mention that you take "a bunch of pills". Could it be that some of these do not play nicely together?

Are you able to confide in your GP? Can you perhaps get a referral to the Mental Health Team?

Lots of questions - sorry! It seems like you're not getting the help you need - but are you reaching out to the people that can help you?

Thinking of you...

"Sundowning" is a known thing OP, so sometimes symptoms do vary with time of day.

Obviously talk to a doctor, but things you could try as well are a SAD / daylight lamp, reading very light upbeat fiction, and activity involving rhythmic movement, from going for a walk to knitting or crochet (as all of these help moderate mood). Possibly also look at getting lots of tryptophan in your diet as there's evidence this can be helpful.

It really sucks when your body acts like this, I'm sorry, but I would be very surprised if it can't be addressed.

Thank you all so much for your kind and thoughtful responses. You have given me some things to think about and more determination to sort this out with my GP.

That's good to know @GurlwiththeCurl

Even with your multiple health problems you don't need to live with such awful feelings every day and like you said, it seems to be a change in medication that's triggered it off.