thought i would put this in a different thread, do you notice cycles in your own mental problems such as a deterioration during a certain part of the year and an improvement in other parts of the year, have you tried tracking the effects of your problems over time to come up with a pattern or is it a completely random thing, does a full moon have an effect?

personally i have noticed that i have a yearly cycle of problems with depression, and disattachment, also that as a moon grows full even when i dont notice it is then things become a bit more agitated, so is there a relation to the full moon and a heightened sense of mental problems? just asking to see what people think.

There's been a lot of research to show that mental health is most definitely affected by moon cycles, and a friend of mine is the Security Manager for the Trust I work for and he's always maintained that he gets more call outs for violence and aggression towards staff around a full moon - so it's not just the mentally ill who are affected, it's those of us who aren't yet diagnosed, too.

Good idea to keep a check on mental states and moon cycles though, Madjon - I'll try that myself

I think that's well known, that where the word 'lunatic' comes from (sorry, but true) Also, my brother in law was an A+E nurse, he always said full moons were the nights you did most psych referrals

If anyone has any links or good books on this subject I'd be really interested in reading more about this.
Thanks xx

Actually, the studies that have been done on the "Full Moon effect" seem to show that it's largely a myth.
People, apparently, expect things to get weird at a Full Moon, so they remember that 'lunatic' stuff that happens then, but forget the same stuff that happens on non-FM nights.

ETA: This is a faster-loading page on the subject.

i havent noticed that i get particularly depressed or anything at the time of a full moon but my moods tend to be more severe and i tend to get really hyper - inever thought it was cos of a ful moon til someone pointed it out a few months ago. i never knew that people believed mental health to be associated with the phase of the moon - cool

The week running up to the full moon, I get really wiped out, tired and cranky. Loose my temper alot. Soon as the Full moon arrives I get a pick me up and things go back to normal. I noticed the cycle well before I spotted the link with the moon.

That's interesting. Thanks. When I said my BIL did more psyche referrals on full moons I didn't mean that was his perception, he was the nursing manager, he had the records, he checked. Not saying that's definative proof or anything, just the observations of one man.

Scientist have always thought the moon phases are for the most part, myth but what I've noticed in the medical field doesn't seem to bare that out. More children appear to be born during the full moon, the mental ward in hospitals are more than at any other time and criminal activity tends to go up.

It is also a scientific fact that the moon has an affect on water and the tides. Oceans and the like are great bodies of water. Our bodies are 90 percent water so I can't see why the moon can't have an effect on your emotions or hormones.

The full moon for me tends to be a time of exhileration. I tend to be more productive at work, my energy level seems to rise and impromtu parties or fun stuff tends to take place. The unexpected is common at this time.

My monthly cycle often follows the lunar one, with the usual accompanying crankiness! I also find a tendency towards depression in the winter... A friend works in a residential unit for Aspergers & autism, and she says they all get more uppity than usual at full moon.

Sorry, sophie, but I definately disagree that the Full Moon, is a myth.

In fact, its been well documented that the Full Moon, DOES have an affect on people!!

I mean, really think about how incredibly large, the ocean is and that the Moon cycles are responsible for the ebbs and waves of the ocean!

Our bodies, are supposedly, lol, made out of 90% water.

Also, astrocologicaly speaking, we know the Moon signs play a big part, of our personalities.

Its well known, the ER is full of people, on the full moon, and not just psych patients.

So the full moon and also lack of sunshine, in winter definately affects our mental/emotional states.

Not everyone is affected in a huge way, but many are. I think, the more aware of what affects you, then you can plan and take precautions.

Being bipolar, I know that if I have a really busy day, then i'm going to crash the next couple of days, and I plan on that and don't schedule things. I just know, I'm going to be tired.

The more aware of who you are and what affects you, the better you can plan your life.. imo..

Blessings Whispered~

interesting subject

I've heard all the stuff about there being more 'craziness' around the full moon, and I personally believe it's true....also all the dogs round here seem to bark more at night, and I don't think I'm just imagining it.

On a personal level...I seem to get randier when the moon's full, if that helps!!

It helps me pebble! Good to know I'm not alone

I tend to think that the Moon must have some influence.
Scientists are finding out more and more now how things are connected.
You cant really compartmentalize any more.
its probably one of those things that affects different people in different ways.

i'm the other way around completely normal when there is a full moon and nutty every other time......

OK - some cites, please.

Just Google 'moon effect' and you'll come up with a lot of sites.

I don't think anyone is saying the scientist aren't right, it's just that studies on moon effects have been mixed and contradictory at best. But studies are studies and a lot of science changes over the years. Scientist once said that the only thing that distinguishes human beings and animals is the ability to stand upright. Except there's a lizard in Australia that not only walks upright but walks on water!:o_yikes:

Many scientist don't believe in psychic ability which I find rather remarkable considering not only have I had episodes of psychic awareness, namely telepathy from time to time but it tends to run in my family. Russia is far more advanced in psychic research than we are.

When people notice more activity or weird behavior during certain moon phases, especially those who work in mental wards, we can't just dismiss them as being overly imaginitive.

Maybe some people feel something and others don't. Maybe it affects the mentally derranged more than others? Who knows? But IMHO, Scientist are not the end all and be all of knowledge.

I tend to get rather hyper at the time of the full moon. I also get more miserable in Winter, which most would attribute to the lack of sun but I'm very nocturnal, so it's not like I see a lote of it anyway! Must be more than I think though... I can never decide if its winter that depresses me or Christmas.
Edited to add: here here Gypsimoon, see my sig for my opinion of science that would dismiss everything but itself. same goes for any religious beliefs that would only listen to what they personally have to say, for that matter...

I used to work in a secure unit for mental health and learning disability offenders.

From my experience there was always a correlation between the full moon and violent behaviour. One female paitent in particular was fantastic all month until the full moon and then was violent and aggressive.

Most mental health nurses I know have similar stories.

(S.A.D) Seasonal affective disorder was recently recognised over the last few years as having a massive impact upon mental health, I personally thing that it is only a matter of time before lunar cycles are recognised in this way also.

Oh I also believe the cycles of the moon have a huge effect on our personalities.

It has been said that whilst woman follow a menstrual cycle (menstruate being an adaptation from a latin word meaning moon cycle) that men also follow a monthly cycle affected by the moons own cycle. Many of the large airlines map out their male pilots moon cycles and will not let them fly their planes during their 'low moon cycles'.

Womens menstrual cycles are also determined by the moon. If you are female, have regular periods and have access to a moon chart from your time of birth check it out. You will menstruate at the same time of the moon month that you were born. For example if you were born on a full moon you will menstruate on a full moon. Since I found this out I have watched my cycle and and the moon's cycle more closely and it's been right every month! They say that woman who 'get in tune' with each other are women who work together/live together etc etc and that their cycle is affected by the artificial light in the office or at home which can be more over powering than that of the moon!

I also find that my weight is affected by the full moon - I find it much easier to loose weight when the moon is waning (getting smaller) and almost impossible to loose any or even put it on when the moon is waxing (growing bigger).

And of course the word lunatic came from lunar - lunar cycle!

To be perfectly honest I couldn't imagine how anyone could say that the moon wouldn't have a huge affect on our bodies/emotions etc. The moon has such a massive effect on the planet that why should we be immune to its influence?

I personally get very agitated up until the full moon and once its risen I calm down and mellow a bit.

I don't know if this is related, but for the past few weeks I've been feeling absolutely shattered, everything is a huge effort, I still feel this way, but I have wondered if its something to do with the Winter Solstice and Moon, hopefully I'll start to feel a bit more energetic soon... and I've taken time off work to rest just in case I was jus toverworked, but it doesn't help.

I really think its the time of the year affecting me.

Very you could possibly be right as I have been feeling the same - just can not keep my eyes open and completely drained of energy!

However, there has been a virus thingy going round that apparently has this affect on you coupled with cold like symptons which I have also got.

Perhaps try a herbal remedy as a pick me up - I've been taking deep sea algae which you can get in all good vitamin stores!

Yeah hubby has been ill, but I'm fine, I don't feel ill just bone tired. Apparently the weather is suppose to be lovely and crisp at the weekend,so maybe I'll drag the hubby for a walk in the park after lunch to walk off the food, maybe that will help to rejunvenate me as well!

Thankfully, I have 10 days off work, so I can pamper to my hearts content and hopefully start 2005 all frisky - hehehe.