Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board

My wife has discovered that her RLS symptoms dissapear when she get angry. Anger releases, I know some kind of chemicals in the brain. If she gets angry right before she goes to bed she usually sleeps most of the night.
Has anyone else noticed this? Has there been any studies?

Tony S

She can sleep when she's angry???? I can't. That approach wouldn't work for me. But it is interesting.

It is interesting. Like you, Tony, I would guess that anger releases a specific set of brain chemistry for her that includes a release of dopamine and maybe the inhibition of serotonin.

No studies on anger per se. They still don't know what causes RLS, though they know brain chemistry is involved. They also know that attending to something else stops it. This could be what is happening. Maybe anger focuses her attention (video games, crosswords, etc. can do the same thing - focus us and the RLS stops).

I can't say I've ever noticed that anger helps me.

Sleep when angry/upset... no Way!!! impossible for me.

Two thoughts; first, perhaps there is an arguement, yelling, or some other form of release involved and thus by "letting it out" she is no longer angry when she goes to bed but has stirred up those brain chemicals that help us to sleep.

Second thought, maybe the anger is similar to "attending" she is using her brain to review the situation she is angry about turning it over in her head and searching for solutions in much the same way that we solve puzzles which some people find helps them avoid RLS symptoms.

I find this very interesting, I had a bad RLS night last night so perhaps I'll try getting angry tonight and see if that helps.

Hi Tony S and welcome to this group. I really hope that this helps your wife.

I know if I get angry about anything before going to bed I can guarantee that I will not sleep.

My legs go nuts when I get angry. Afternoons especially - I walk the aisles at work a lot in the afternoon. I feel best when my boss goes out of town

I think there is a big difference between being angry (and not being able to sleep) and actually being angry and releasing the anger......like really letting yourself express, explode, yell, beat on pillows in a safe but really whole hearted way, to move it through the body.....then it's over. And sleep come easily and naturally. I can see that would make big difference in some symptoms. We all need a special place where we can really let it out.

Sherry

Yeah , being single I get to walk around here and yell at the walls and kick pilliows when ever I want only the dog and cat think I am crazy no one else knows (oh wait) not anymore, I think I just told on myself~~~~Lyndarae

For me, angry equals seething quietly. I try not to vent on people, unless maybe they deserve it.

Thus, for me, getting angry before bed is about the worst thing I could do. All I do is get really agitated. I could see an outburst helping, though.

I'm not so sure my wife would care for a screaming session every night before bed...

Mmmm, like the post about angry and the name "spitfirec." Is that a coincidence or what! Anyway, hi and welcome.

M.

cadmonkey wrote:My legs go nuts when I get angry. Afternoons especially - I walk the aisles at work a lot in the afternoon. I feel best when my boss goes out of town

Love your post. When I was working I felt the same way. You talk about stress LOL.

Angry before bed......result toss and turn ......result no sleep

not for me ..I say always make up incase you don't wake up!


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