Depression worse in evening?

@lyndam I received my training from my psychologist who was helping me with pain control and depression. I went 1 day a week. I has able to change my blood pressure, pulse rate, body temp by my 3rd visit the 4th visit made our tape and that was all I did. However he was my doc for about a year so decrease to monthly routine follow ups and once it a while he would hook me up to make sure i was still on track. Haven't seen him since 2002.

I take no medications for this. Just the biofeed back & the might Lord above. 😉

I think you need to think of yourself as experiencing normal emotions. The Mayo web site lists depression as an after effect on open heart surgery. I know I could not read in the hospital nor even a lot now after 9 weeks. Walking and any kind of physical exercise that I am able to do help both the fatigue and the depression though both are still there somewhat. Evenings I rent movies that take me away from myself. Give yourself time-pamper yourself-you deserve it. <br><br>

Self medicate with what? I have a prescription for Ambien for sleep as needed which I don't take that often as these meds are addicting.

My depression is worse in the morning. I hate getting up in the morning and facing the day. I'm not sure why your depression is worse in the evening. It could be that you are over tired or if you have insomnia you are dreading going to bed. Part of your depression may be because you've had two major things happen in your life. You've had breast cancer and open heart surgery. I've read that many people get depressed after having open hear surgery. You didn't mention if you had depression before these two events or not. Maybe someone else on this board has a better answer for you. Good luck.

Minnie 1971

I hope you don't mean self medicate. Self medicating and taking your meds at the same time is a recipe for disaster! That is how people die while on prescription meds and alcohol. I'm sorry if I misunderstood you.

Minnie1971

Hi @lesbatts. I am well aware of the dangers you are talking about and have not and never will do that. What I'm talking about is harmless and my doctors are aware of it. BTW, I was not talking about meditation LOL, but I do believe in practicing that on a regular basis for one's mental and physical health. I don't ever drink alcohol. I hate it. I'm 75 years old, and have had low grade depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember. Don't be concerned about me. I would never indulge in anything you are referring to.

I'm sorry but I must have misled you. It is my husband who just had the open-heart surgery. And he's doing very well, with me as his caregiver. And he isn't even depressed. I can't imagine what it would be like if he was prone to a mood disorder, also. I've had other major things in my life-one was my father dying when I was 5, and nobody talked about it my whole life. I don't know exactly when this little black cloud started hovering over my head. I am thankful now that I'm 75 and am taking goof meds ordered from my psychiatrist.

Let me try to detangle the confusion. Callalily, @lesbatts was replying to @lyndamm who started this discussion saying that she had open heart surgery 7 weeks ago, but that she also deals with depression. As @crhp194 points out, experiencing depression after heart surgery is quite common. Studies show that up to 33 percent of heart attack patients end up developing some degree of depression. You can read more about it in this article from the American Heart Association http://bit.ly/2amdotX

Callalily, I'm happy to hear that your husband has not experienced mood swings or depression since his heart surgery. As his caregiver, you may want to be on the lookout for this as it can be a delayed reaction.

Lesbatts, did you experience depression before your major medical events, breast cancer and heart surgery? Or is this a new diagnosis?

I also live in a small town and travel to Boston which is two hours away but it is worth it as I have Bipolar Disorder and I go to the Bipolar Clinic down there. Most of the doctors there were trained at Harvard Medical School.

Hello, I felt like I needed to send you a hopeful note. First of all, I am<br>a retired nurse so I know a bit about what I am talking about. Heart<br>surgery in and of itself causes depression, so many changes to your body<br>and lifestyle. I f you are able to get out and take short walks in the<br>day/evening you might feel much better. Summer nights are soooo looong! I<br>get down in the evening too, I live in hot Arizona, and am recovering from<br>back surgery. I don't go out til the sun is almost down. I also have an<br>intolerance to heat so summers here are not my favorite season. You also<br>might try a support group, just being able to talk with others about the<br>way you feel is really soothing, you can help each other and maybe set up a<br>phone call or visit for coffee, or ice tea, or whatever. Hope some of these<br>suggestions help you- you could also be open with your doctor and tell<br>him/her that you may need an added anti-depressant, at least til you are<br>feeling better. God bless you and feel better! Diane<br>