Night shifts and extreme anxiety

MrsNurseyC · 21 June 2006 at 9:18AM

Hi all,
This isn't anything to do with moneysaving (!!) but just wondered if I'm the only one who feels anxious/depressed when doing night shifts. :rolleyes:

Have just done my second night of a week long stint (I know I should be trying to get some shut eye now!) but I feel so fuzzy headed, so anxious for some reason, so un-like my normal chatty, caring bubbly self.
I feel like I've only got 10% of my personality left when I'm working with my colleages at night. They can laugh, chat away as normal, but I feel extremely anxious and devoid of all humour for some reason. Its a vicious cycle, as I feel really beat up about it.

I know this isn't down to tiredness (got 9hrs kip yesterday afternoon before work) but I just feel so...umm..blue, and paranoid. I do feel as though I've got a sort of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) but down to the fact I'm currently working at night time.

This only happens when I work nights.... argh!
Anyone identify with this at all?

verynewmoneysaver · 21 June 2006 at 9:21AM

I feel very stressed and bad-tempered with my family when I am on nights. I only do 2 nights, and they are usually split up, but I still find it very hard to cope with them.

Ted_Hutchinson · 21 June 2006 at 10:27AM

[SIZE=-2][PPT][/SIZE] Managing Fatigue and Drowsiness in the Workplace
This is a very detailed MILITARY presentation about the effects of shift working on performance. There is some useful information further down the presentation if you skim through the powerpoint screens which don't interest you.

I haven't time at the moment to find the vitamin d & melatonin links but the melatonin cycle which makes you feel sleepy and helps with going to sleep has to be switched off, this is usually accomplished with bright light (sadlightboxes) but it also happens with Vitamin d which you usually get from sunshine. Countering surplus melatonin by boosting your vitamin d status will improve your mood. this report shows the kind of dose level required
The Vitamin D council has links to sources where high dose vitamin d can be bought.

tankgirl1 · 26 June 2006 at 8:59PM

i used to HATE doing nights!

would get 10hrs + sleep in the day, and still be knackered. felt nauseous all night, and on edge, and would fall asleep if i didnt drink coffee.

didnt help that it was a solitary night shift, so no one to talk to etc.

i would never do nights again- they just cant be good for your health- we're not designed to be noctournal.

MrsNurseyC · 27 June 2006 at 12:30AM

It really helps knowing I'm not the only person who feels 'allergic' to nights!

I know most people (unless they're contracted to work permanent nights, that's their choice) find them a bit of hassle, but in my job -I'm 2 months from qualifying as a staff nurse- they're part of the duty rota, so there's no real getting out of them.

grrr!

I finished my 7 night stint this morning, and so I'm now wide awake! Poor hubby's sleeping next door, until I can get my usual pattern back... It's been hard on him too, as he works long days so we've passed like ships in the night on a couple of days during the last week.

Your article loks good too Ted, Thanks. At least I know there's a phsyiological basis for feeling this way. Just had a quick skim, but will read it in more depth later.

x Claire

Night shifts and extreme anxiety

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