Nighttime depression, anxiety...

[kimhix]

My Zack (11) is having a great deal of anxiety, depression, crying spells at bed time. These are relatively new, said he feels depressed, thins someone is going to come out of his closet to get him. We have done the whole looking in the closet,  under the bed etc....dog sleeps in the bed with him and usually his sister, says he still doesn't feel safe. At the presant he is only on Geodon, and takes some sleep aids at night. Any other ideas for night time  onset of depression?? 

[Steve23]

Hey Kim

Sorry to hear about Zack, it must be tough on him, especially being such a young lad. We used to have similar problems with my little sister. She was very much borderline OCD, but suffered from a great deal of anxiety. Thankfully its something that has got a great deal better as she's got older, but she used to suffer similar problems at night.

We used to give her Horlicks to drink... I dont know if you know what it is, but it's safe for kids to drink. It has a relaxing effect and can make you quite sleepy. We used to give it to her before she went to bed and it helped a lot. She was never on any medication. I never came across Geodon before.

Sorry I cant be of more help. Hope things get better for Zack

Steve

[GMan86]

GREAT advice Steve. I wish you the very best! 

[NightOwl]

No matter WHAT I watch on tv, there is always something scary or depressing.  i wonder if it has anything to do with him watching scary movies.  I should to watch them all fine, but the past couple years when I ahve been depressed.... I take them so seriously now and get scared.  I have anxiety towards going to bed at night, and had slept during the day for many years, but now I somehow am able to sleep at night without being too scared the past 2 weeks.  :)

Hmm, I don't really know any advice though.  I wouldn't be too surprised if pop culture in general could have something to do with it though.  I have no clue why people being interviewed on tv always seem to think tv/movies can't influence, but I am 29 and even I keep getting more depressed from even commercials about certain movies.  lol  It's really weird since I used to watch totally horror films with no negative effect.

[GMan86]

I get depressed from random songs and movies so easily. I wondered if it was just me 

[pinky5]

GMan86,

No, it's not just you. Songs can really have an effect on you because music is so linked to emotions. Years ago before I went for therapy, I would avoid listening to music, because it made me feel so emotional, and I didn't want to deal with it. As far as movies goes, I hate watching anything violent, or upsetting, it really seems to stick with me. My boyfriend has given up trying to get me to go to any movies that have much violence in them because I just sit it the theater with my eyes closed most of the time. Not really money well spent. Took me weeks to stop having nightmares after seeing some movies. When I see something violent or disturbing it feels like an electric jolt go through my legs. Hate that.

Rachel

[GMan86]

It's amazing how watching only a movie or listening to music can evoke such emotions out of us. Thanks Pinky 

[apple]

When nighttime hits and the day slows down, it gives a person more time to think.  About problems, issues or whatever.

My daughter used to cry for her cats that ran away about a year after they were gone.  Every wednesday night right after skating class.  This went on for the whole season.  We didnt know what triggered it on this particular night...maybe just thinking about things while skating maybe?

Hopefully this is the problem cause you could come up with ways to activate his brain at bedtime.  Like have him read to you, or to his sister maybe. 

Just a thought.

[GMan86]

The idle mind is the devils playground as they say. The worst part of anxiety disorders is it forces you to be secluded socially most of the time, especially with my SAD/depression, that you sit thinking about all that is happening. 

[NightOwl]

I get depressed from random songs and movies so easily. I wondered if it was just me 

Nope, not just you.  Same with me.  The slightest thing can get me depressed.  Especially songs and movies and the news.  And if someone around me is in a bad mood, it makes me depressed.  I just am very sensitive.  If I am not having major issues going on, I don't get depressed easily with movies or songs though, I guess.  But still get depressed with people's moods around me.