Waking Up In The Morning: The Hardest Time For A Person With Depression

The anatomy of depression is different, unique and unique to each person. However, in the midst of these terrible labyrinths deprived of darkness there is an element common to all people: the symptoms of this disease are devastating in the morning, when the day begins and the person feels helpless, unwilling, out of breath…

Patients who suffer from this disorder in all its varieties (major depression, dysthymic disorder, associated with grief…), also have a common idea. They would like to have another type of illness whose symptoms are more visible, physical. That way, the suffering would be more obvious and they could count on more understanding from other people.

Let’s say, for example, that someone says something as categorical as: “I am unable to get up in the morning”. This gives the psychologist or doctor a clear clue as to what might be going on with that person. However, in the eyes of co-workers, friends or even family, something like this can be interpreted as carelessness, laziness or even an excuse not to assume your personal and work responsibilities.

It’s not easy. Depression is similar to the impact of an internal cyclone : it devastates and changes everything. A large part of our bodily processes slows down, metabolism changes, our perception of our reality changes and this neurochemistry causes what is known as “diurnal mood swings”.

Good morning depression, once again by my side

Andrea is 46 years old and is currently suffering a relapse of her depression. Two years ago, she managed to overcome it successfully thanks to medication and psychotherapy. She was able to identify the return of this uncomfortable shadow in her life by a very concrete fact: it was getting harder and harder to get up in the morning. Every day she felt more listless, despondent and with many negative thoughts. I had no more doubts: the depression had returned.

This familiar enemy usually intensifies its symptoms in the early morning hours through a series of very specific processes and dimensions. Are the following:

• The diurnal mood swing is characterized by an awakening charged with negative feelings, despondency and a lot of physical fatigue, which generally improve a little during the day.
• According to several studies, most people with depression have their circadian rhythms altered. Hormones such as melatonin and cortisol are released in too little or at inappropriate times. This makes, for example, the person with depression suffer from insomnia or even experience some daytime sleepiness.
• In turn, this change in the depressed person’s circadian rhythms can make him feel colder in the morning, experience a very low or non-existent energy level, or even be unable to react to certain stimuli because of the your apathy.

We can add another factor even more debilitating, which is the feeling of not having the strength to face the day that has just begun. This helplessness and the certainty of not being able to handle your responsibilities further increases the feeling that we are losing control of our lives.

How to face the most difficult moment of the day

We return once again with our protagonist, Andrea, a woman who has to face a new episode of depression that she had not planned and did not expect to experience again. Although depression is an old acquaintance in his life, he does not hesitate to go back to his specialist, so that he can prescribe the most suitable medication for you.

Something that should be clear is that people who experience more intense symptoms in the early hours of the day need a type of treatment that helps them regulate certain neurotransmitters that alter their circadian rhythms. In addition to drug treatment, Andrea has created a series of routines in her life that will allow her to better deal with her illness.

Guidelines for Coping with Morning Depression Symptoms

It is worth remembering that both interpersonal therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy can be very helpful in treating these types of disorders, to which none of us are immune.

Our protagonist decides, first of all, to go to her doctor to carry out an analysis of what is happening. We know that hard facts like a problem with thyroid function, low levels of vitamin B12 or even a liver problem can cause or increase this drop in mood and energy in the morning.

• Then she sets up a daily routine that begins with a series of stretches in the morning. Before getting up and in your own room, do 10 minutes of gentle yoga exercises.
• Then he showers and gets dressed.
• What comes next is as simple as it is therapeutic: Andrea has someone who calls her every morning on the phone to give her courage, strength and energy. In your case, it’s your mother. However, each one of us can count on a friend who always supports us, a brother or a reference person able to help us, to motivate us.

• Andrea eats breakfast calmly and unhurriedly. She’s hardly ever hungry, but she forces herself to, because she knows her brain needs this morning energy to function better.

Last but not least, she sets a time for meditation: just 15 or 20 minutes is enough. It is an important time to connect with yourself, where you can manage negative thoughts and emotions a little better. Thus, our protagonist achieves a little more calm, serenity and motivation to gradually face the challenges of her day.

We believe these simple tips can also be helpful for you.