sundowning

American  

[suhn-dou-ning] / ˈsʌnˌdaʊ nɪŋ /

noun

1. Psychiatry. a state of confusion, disorientation, or anxiety seen late in the day or at night, especially in dementia patients, likely as a result of strange surroundings, drug effects, decreased sensory input, or reduction of oxygen supply to the brain.

   Two randomized controlled trials of the new drug have found a significant improvement in sundowning and other agitated behavior.

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Etymology

Origin of sundowning

First recorded in 1870–75, for an earlier sense; sundown ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

In later stages, patients often experience "sundowning," a period of increased confusion and agitation that tends to occur later in the day.

From Science Daily

His sundowning spells leave everyone exhausted.

From Los Angeles Times

He turned in yet another weirdly checked-out performance and continued a losing streak that was only briefly broken up when he faced off against an opponent who was slightly more advanced in his sundowning, three months earlier.

From Slate

They note that there is a well-known phenomenon among individuals with Alzheimer's disease called "sundowning," in which agitation increases in the afternoon and early evening.

From Science Daily

"It's conceivable that the higher afternoon activity we observed is a signal of 'preclinical sundowning,'" Spira says.

From Science Daily