What happens to you when the sun sets? Do you howl?

I was thinking that might be an interesting topic for the forum. Some of us do what we need to do be it family or secular work and get through the day without to much of a problem. But when the evening comes and one settles down to rest, unwind, look at TV, whatever then watch out! The thing that worries you or your anxiety catches up with you. Some start the obsessing. Others, excessive worry. Still others panic attacks. And just maybe the fictious werewolf (personality change) come out in you and your howling?

How about you? Are there some evenings that you fall apart? Share your experiences.

For me, sometimes when I am alone and something bothers me I start thinking negatively. If I am sleeping it will wake me up or come up in my dreams.

Thank you for sharing.

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Victoria

Hi Victoria

I love the evenings It is a nice quiet time for me I also enjoy the Spring here now and the pretty sunny days. I don't care for the recent storms we have had though!

I never 'fall apart' at night, I have more of a morning anxiety problem, but it has been so much better

At night I really soar, not howl. I get more accomplished and I feel so calm and soothed that I stay up all night and I sleep half the day...just my 'routine', from being a second shift worker for years, but even though I have not worked in almost two years, I still kept my schedule...it does make it hard to set a doctor appt. though as I lose about 4 hours of sleep to be there at 1 or 2 in the afternoon as I am not usually even up yet...lol. So, it does have its disadvantages too, but all in all, I cherish my alone time and my quiet time at night...it is than I am most content

Take care

Angel

[This message has been edited by Angel (edited 04-11-2001).]

Dear Angel,
That's great! Sometimes they are peaceful for me depending on the day. Sometimes I wake up at 2:30 AM and get creative and write.

Thanks for sharing.

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Victoria

Hi Victoria, It's not hard for me to relate to what you've described. But, thank God, at this point i don't seem to feel this as much....everything exploding inside of me in the evening, when the day is done. It's not perfect for sure....If there is an area or issue with someone or something, which i can't seem to resolve or feel calm about, then i sure do take it to bed with me. Lately, if that should happen, i tell myself i really am doing the best i can and i do this little thing, where i hand over the entire day to God....here, take it, it's Your's. Also, if there are too many things bothering me, i remind myself to take them 'one at a time'. I slow it all down to workable portions. The thing that struck me while reading what you wrote, is that this kind of thing happens with me when i'm not able to deal with things 'on the spot'...when they're occuring. I'm not taking enough 'time out' to practice what i'm learning, SO easy not to! We are so in the habit of thinking in certain ways (i know that you know all of this) that we may not even have noticed that we have spent another day in a way we would prefer not to! And then sometimes, it ISN'T that obvious for me....it could be years of not dealing with things that are really bothering me, and they are just waitinig for me to attend to them... so, in that case, it's always there, underneath the surface, and bursts forth at night, when i'm quiet. Any of this make sense to you? Hope you have a great day!!! God bless, Lindi

Victoria,

I always have severe panic attacks during the evenings when the sun begins to set. During the day, I'm fine. I go on about my busy day and don't feel the slightest anxious of feelings. In the evenings, I begin to get anxious, my thoughts snow-ball, and the what-if thinking develops.

I'm not sure why this is. I don't really understand it. Does anyone out there know why this is?????
It would sure be nice to discuss coping strategies with others going through similar experiences.

Dear Cutufa,
Yes, I have an idea that just may help.
I noticed that you are a stay at home mom. Great! Try not to look at this forum until after dinner. Make it a treat that gets your mind off negative things & if you are thinking negative then your not alone. And when those thoughts come up then include these in your replies or posting.

Find a real good book or magazine that you like. Absolutely do not touch it until after dinner! It has to be something that really captures your interest. Buy greeting cards and write friendship cards and letters to friends. Read to your children. Call someone who needs encouragement or talk to a freind. All these are things that you ought to save for the evening. Do not eat too late so as not to keep you up. While it's still light before dark take a walk or go to a gym if your kids can be watched. I really think you won't have time to think negative. And if you want to, fine -- not more than 20 minutes to problem solve.

The reason you do so well during the day and not at night is simple. You are busy (heavy yard work and gardening is great) and at night you wind down and therefore your tired body and mind start drifting. Therefore, just plan a mental activity you like and it will be harder to think negative. Also, no sugar deserts.

Wish you the best. Let me know how your are doing.

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Victoria

[This message has been edited by Victoria (edited 04-12-2001).]

Thanks Victoria

I've tried some of your suggestions already.
For instance I exercise in the latter part of the day, and tried to keep as busy as I can during those peak anxiety periods.
I've also cut down on sugar and other unhealthy foods.

Although I'm busy in the evenings, I still do get anxiety attacks. My very first one was in the evening when I was with my child and she slept.
*The building's fire alarm was ringing.
* My toilette had overflown.
* The next day was the first day of school and I had no groceries.
* My partner was out of town and we had not talked about child care arrangement (in May he had said that I was worrying too far ahead in advance).

All of this was happening at the same time so, that's when I first lost it. I started crying, vomiting, and had diarrhea. I had to call my Mom to come over because I couldn't cope. I thought I was going crazy and would need to be locked up.
Maybe this is why I'm so afraid of the evening times.

Again, thanks for your suggestions. I'm truly working on it.

I'm so sorry Cutufa. The good thing is you remember and can pin point when the condition began. Great! How about taking just one item a time and work thru it? The toilet flooding. How often does it happen? You know not too often. What can you have on hand should it happen again? Plummers or manager's phone number on hand. Out of groceries? Shop in advance and start a pantry of canned and even delicious packaged survival foods. Buy toilet paper and similar items in bolk. Use cupons and buy lots of frozen dinners. See, you can make it days past running out of your usual stock.
Take each item that occured that night and problem solve it. now you can see that it is unlikely those things will happen again, especially all together. Then, if one or two happen you are prepaired. Go a step further, decorate your bathroom different and cozy. Rearrange your food pantry. Get several phone numers from their father, etc. etc. I think you'll get over it in time. You are doing well already in learning to live in the moment. Who said it would be easy? It's work but rewarding.
Sincerely,

Thanks again Victoria for all your kind words and suggestions. Thing like the ones I mentioned don't happen often enough... you are right about that.

The funny thing is that I'm often well prepared. My partner, however, tells me that I like to plan too far in advance. On that occassion he said that he would deal with it but, forgot.

In any case, I still don't have the program but I'm reading From Panic to Power for a 2nd time. It has provided me with some stategies to survive these bouts with anxiety.