According to Mayo Clinic, Sundown Syndrome, or "sundowning," is not a disease, but rather a group of symptoms that often occur at the same time of day and may affect people with Dementia and/or Alzheimer's. The exact cause of this syndrome is still unknown, however, medical personnel typically attribute it to preexisting nervous behaviors brought on by the setting of the sun.
People with anxiety and depression also experience the signs of Sundown Syndrome. These signs and symptoms include confusion, anxiety, aggression, and even pacing or wandering around. I've also known it to include increased sadness or depression.
Even though medical websites don't seem to acknowledge it, Sundown Syndrome is actually more common than you'd think, and it has taken on a much broader meaning and audience than patients with some form of dementia. Parents can have it, teenagers can have it, and even young children - although, people usually decide to link their behavior to some other condition or simply say it's a "fluke."
Nowadays, Sundown Syndrome is as broad as to mean any time your mood is decreased or worsened as daylight ends. And it makes the time change twice a year very unfortunate for those that deal with the syndrome because their bodies are thrown into confusion.
My dad has Sundown Syndrome in addition to other people in my family who are older, even though Dementia is not present in my lineage. However, I've also noticed behaviors in myself that correlate with it.
I have an anxiety disorder that can easily spin into mild depression if I allow it, and I believe that this has made me more susceptible to Sundown Syndrome.
I've noticed in the past that time changes affect my body more than they usually affect others, such as friends or family that don't recognize evidence of Sundown Syndrome in their lives. Also, I am more anxious at night because I cannot see outside, and this makes drives at night especially hard, unless I know the route by heart.
Also, at night my aggression levels are up where it's a lot easier for me to become agitated with something or someone, even if no outward source is purposefully trying to aggravate me. For some reason, if I burn food or drop something, I'm much more likely to be agitated with myself at night than I would be during the day. I can't really explain why other than naming Sundown Syndrome.
And, lastly, my mood is the most dramatic change due to Sundown Syndrome in my life. While, during the day, I'm usually chipper and a lot more joyful, I struggle at nighttime to find that same joy. This is honestly the most prevalent change that I can see in my own life. For my dad, it's the agitation part of the syndrome.
However, on a happier note, I've learned a few things that naturally help me to combat Sundown Syndrome and medical professionals have ever-expanding notes and tips as well. So, people with Sundown Syndrome don't just have to suffer with it, they can beat it!
One of the biggest things for me is spending time outside in the sunlight. Because of my anxiety and my mood once nighttime hits, it's imperative that I get as much vitamin D as I possibly can, and I can also use those memories of sunlight to help me throughout the night.
Another thing is trying to maintain a steady routine. Your body needs to be able to predict when certain things in your day will occur, especially if you have Sundown Syndrome. When your body is up to speed with how things are going, it's much more likely that your body will then be balanced.
Of course, you want to limit napping during the day, because it lessens the likelihood of being able to fall asleep quicker at night. Also, limit your caffeine and sugar intake; it's proven that caffeine and sugar keep you awake if you consume them too late in the afternoon or night, which increases the odds of Sundown Syndrome overtaking.
In strange or unfamiliar settings, such as hotels, bring familiar items that will comfort you. In new settings, most people are uncomfortable, but for those with Sundown Syndrome, it's worse. But that shouldn't keep you from traveling or living your life.
Those are a few tips from medical professions that I've employed and I can honestly say, they work. Also, because I'm a Christian, things like prayer, meditation, Christian music, and reading my Bible really steady me as well.
Just because someone has Sundown Syndrome doesn't mean that people will always be able to see the signs and it also doesn't mean they have to suffer forever. If you take the time to truly understand what it is, employ some of these methods, and talk to a trusted medical professional - you can beat Sundown Syndrome.
