Why Is Depression Worse In The Mornings?

[Fusion5]

I am finding this to be the case. Anybody know the reason

[Sqad]

No, sorry I can't help and never been clinically depressed, but the classical picture of depression, particularly bipolar is that one can get off to sleep, but wakes up at around 3.a.m and cannot get back to sleep. Also as the day goes on, the depression "lightens", but sorry, i do not know the reason for this.

Not much help eh!

[anneasquith]

inability to sleep,

[hc4361]

You sleep badly, wake up feeling sluggish and everything is an effort. There may also be remnants of troubling dreams troubling you.
The very best thing is to get out of bed as soon as you wake up and have a bath or shower to wake you up properly and make you feel better about yourself. I know it can be a real effort but get dressed and go out, even if it's just a short walk. Or put some energetic music on and jump about for 5 minutes.
Easier said than done, I know

[Old_Geezer]

My guess would be that you have the whole darned day ahead of you and you have no confidence it'll be a good day. As the day goes on you firstly realise it wasn't so bad, and secondly realise you have less to go. But it is just a guess on my part.

[gness]

Fusion...I have only been really depressed once and though there may be a physical reason for the mornings being worse.... for me it was the thought of coping with another very long day without purpose and indeed without the energy I knew I really needed...x

[andy-hughes]

hc's point is a good one.

One of the major issues with clinical depression is bad sleep patterns - either sleep is absent, or if present, it is not restful, plagued by vivid dreams, and generally disturbed.

I have suffered from depression for a long time, and even though i am balanced by medication, i find waking difficult. I have to reassure myself that my nightmares (which are constant) were just that, and then i check my mental equilibrium as I stand up and head for the bathroom.

As a non-morning person, it takes me a while to fully wake and function properly, and i remember from my seriously ill days that such feelings would often psuh me into feeling that my lethargic and wooly-headed state were there to stay.

It is harder than ever to find any motivation, but treat yourself gently, and allow yourself to come round slowly and softly, and then see if you are able to do something - anything - to get your day started.

[Sqad]

Well, I think the above posts may not be the whole story as people with anxiety states of which you would think would wake up in the early hours,actually have difficulty in getting off to sleep, but once asleep continue through the night.

As I say, I don't know the reason, but it must be biochemical.........

[pixie373]

Also, your blood sugar is lowest on waking, which is why most people feels little off when they first wake up- even without depression . Have a small exercise then a small breakfast, even if you don't feel like it.

[andy-hughes]

It is important to try and eat regularly - especially breakfast, even if you don't feel like it.

The side-effects of some anti-depressants can be exacerbated by a lack of food intake.

[Fusion5]

Thank you for all your good comments and they do make perfect sense.