Morning depression

[MaydayUK]

'Ello all, random thread, but hoping someone here might have a clue.

I have a very strong tendancy to what I describe as "morning depression" - essentially most days on waking up I have an intense depression, sadness, feelings of hopelessness, demotivation etc, to the extent that it can take me an hour or longer to even be able to roll out of bed.

It's not general depression - I have in the past been depressed and certainly am not now. It's not frustration at my life or anything similar - I love my job and when I get to my desk in the mornings I'm actually glad to be there. This sensation also happens at weekends, on vacations, etc.

I'm somewhat sleep deprived but I don't think it's tiredness, because of the strong emotional "everything is pointless" component. It's just so strange to me that very shortly after actually getting up I feel 100% fine again; also if I can force myself to get up right after waking (eg if my alarm is set to catch an early flight) I don't get depressed.

Has anyone heard of something like this? I remember years ago reading about very similar symptoms which could be relieved by eating protein shortly after waking, but that's not the case with me because when I eat breakfast it's not normally until a couple of hours after waking, by which time I feel fine.

Ideas anyone?

 

[done_got_old]

'Ello all, random thread, but hoping someone here might have a clue.

I have a very strong tendancy to what I describe as "morning depression" - essentially most days on waking up I have an intense depression, sadness, feelings of hopelessness, demotivation etc, to the extent that it can take me an hour or longer to even be able to roll out of bed.

It's not general depression - I have in the past been depressed and certainly am not now. It's not frustration at my life or anything similar - I love my job and when I get to my desk in the mornings I'm actually glad to be there. This sensation also happens at weekends, on vacations, etc.

I'm somewhat sleep deprived but I don't think it's tiredness, because of the strong emotional "everything is pointless" component. It's just so strange to me that very shortly after actually getting up I feel 100% fine again; also if I can force myself to get up right after waking (eg if my alarm is set to catch an early flight) I don't get depressed.

Has anyone heard of something like this? I remember years ago reading about very similar symptoms which could be relieved by eating protein shortly after waking, but that's not the case with me because when I eat breakfast it's not normally until a couple of hours after waking, by which time I feel fine.

Ideas anyone?

I would address the sleep situation first. I was sleep deprived for so long that it felt natural. Also talk to your doctor and perhaps even a psychologist, counselor or psychiatrist.

Good luck!

 

[SweetErika]

If you google 'morning depression' you'll find a lot of people have the same thing.

I'd suggest talking to a good psychiatrist about this. Depression takes many forms and because you've had clinical depression before, you are more susceptible to having it again. Most people who have depression have to deal with it in some form or another periodically throughout their lives.

Also, your hormone levels may be off or you may have a sleep disorder that needs treatment. A variety of conditions, from thyroid disorders to sleep apnea, in addition to depression and other mental illnesses can affect how we sleep and feel upon waking.

Definitely do some research and get it checked out though. Being armed with knowledge when you see the doctor(s) will help you get the best care possible.

 

[MaydayUK]

I find your faith in the British medical system hilarious

 

[EjAcKuLaToR]

My suggestion is very basic. Just get the hell up out of the bed. You said when you do that you're not depressed. So do it.

This is not intending to be less than sensitive, but effectively what you're saying is:
When I hit my head with this hammer it hurts...and when I don't hit it with the hammer it doesn't.

Am I the only one that sees the obvious connection here between not being depressed and just getting your butt out of bed?

Sorry if that doesn't seem nice, it's not that I don't want to be nice, I just want to be direct.

 

[fire_breeze]

Besides the above suggestions, I would strongly recommend that you get decent sleep. It could be that you are merely sleep deprived and that's the way your body trying to tell you to stay in bed. Also know that it can take up to 14 nights of proper and full rest to correct one night of sleep deprivation.

You also may wish to ask your doctor to give you a complete bloodwork to rule out low blood sugar, hypothyroidism, etc. Your doctor may also then recommend a psychiatrist.

However, it may be simply that you are not a morning person. I know that I am not. Trust me.

Good luck.

 

[elib257]

I know you said that you don't have 'general' depression but having suffered from and spoken to a lot of people with depression I've found that this is just a typical symptom... I would keep an eye any other symptoms you may have/develop.

For the time being I would follow the other advice, get out of bed straight away, get enough sleep etc but if it so happens that you do develop other symptoms then get to a g.p. straight away.

Also, medical professionals in the UK are fantastic but it generally requires you to put a little effort in i.e. go.

 

[lushlucid]

I suffer from this, some days it takes longer than other and sometimes something nice makes me snap out of it. It's very annoying.

 

[VelvetDarkness]

I have this problem, have done for years. I also have epilepsy and am on some strong medication so I've always put my difficulty in getting out of bed down to that. I don't personally have a history of depression but the last year or so has been intensely stressful for me so I guess it's possible. I even had PTSD for a short while.

I'm not about to go see a shrink and say 'I'm not sure whether I'm slightly depressed or not.' I'm sure I'll manage.

 

[PersianKittie]

lack of sunshine

is there a lack of sunshine in your life? It is known that getting enough sun affects people's moods and lack of it has been shown to be associated with higher rates of depression and suicide.

One solution (if like me you want to stay off prescription drugs): I have read about sun lamps that seem to help. Maybe you could have one by the bed that goes off in the morning? just a thought.

 

[Noor]

I agree with P Kitty, it could be light related. I would either go outside for a few minutes when you get up or open all the curtains and turn on the lights.

In summer, I try to eat my breakfast outside on the balcony.

I used to work in a small rest home that was in a beautiful old mansion. First thing in the morning we would open all the curtains and let the sun stream in. the residents seemed energized by that.

 

[Cathleen]

How about putting you alarm clock across the room? I used to have a tendency to throw my clock across the room, moving it saved me money spent on clocks!

 

[kikmosa]

It's possible you may have a slight imbalance in brain chemistry. My roommate also suffers from this. He's badly depressed first thing in the morning. And the mornings when you have to get up quickly are also when you get a slight burst of adrenaline. This could cause your chemistry to readjust to normal. Ask your doctor. It could be as simple as taking the right vitamins or a mild prescription to help. My roommate is being tested now.

 

[Guest]

See your doctor, but I'll bet dollars to donuts (you should pardon the expression) that you're waking up hypoglycemic--with low blood sugar.

Easy test, if you're not allergic to orange juice: mix 4oz. OJ with 4oz. of a clear carbonated beverage. (Carbonation causes the stomach to empty faster, getting the sugar from the juice into your system more quickly.) Drink it. If it's low blood sugar, you'll start feeling better within 15-20 minutes.

Of course, you might crash after the sugar rush wears off, so eat something substantive--protein is good.

And, you can buy an inexpensive glucometer and test your sugars as soon as you wake up, too.

Your body will regulate blood sugar naturally, and it sounds like that's what happening; several hours later, you're fine. You might see if there's a connection between what, and when, you eat the night before and how you feel upon awakening.

Good luck.