I have recently read that morning depression is quite common. What I am not seeing is what people are actually doing to head off the morning depression and what causes it to be so severe in the morning.
Introducing Mood 24/7, a new tool that helps you track your mood from day to day using your mobile phone.Try it today!
5/15/08 7:45pm
sunshine can help--getting direct sunlight outside (but be sure to use sunscreen) when you first wake up.
Of course, when you live in the North that is not an option September through May.
I lived in the tropics for several years and although other there were other manifestations of depression during that time, I never had the morning inertia I have experienced most of my life in the upper Midwest. The sun rose every morning at 5 and so did I --I always had a cup of coffee in the sunlight and was ready for the day.
5/12/08 12:56pm
Try morning stretching, followed by a long walk and exercises. Good luck! Joe.
5/13/08 7:26pm
You are not alone. Mornings can be very tough for people suffering from depression.
5/13/08 9:51pm
I am have the same problem. I have no idea how I manage it. Once in a while if I feel strong enough I take a hot shower, someimes it works sometimes it doesn't
5/14/08 1:49pm
I can completly relate to not getting up in the morning. It is sometimes so hard to face the day, let alone think about getting out of bed. I take Lexapro at bedtime and I have often wondered if I shouldnt be taking it in the morning. The best advice I can give is to force yourself up and make daily goals for yourself that will give you something to look forward to everyday. Not big goals just small ones to start. Big goals can overwhelm you if you are already suffering from depression and or anxiety.
Good luck
Andi C.
5/14/08 3:00pm
What has worked for me? I have my alarm clock to some really soothing jazz or in the spring I listen to the birds . i totally stay away from the news. Way too depressing itself. I can handle the day (the "outside" world which is often so very disturbing) when my "inside" world is balanced with positive with music.
I think that the reason that depression can be severe in the morning is because you have to face your day. And all of the anxieties and fears and negative thinking can be overwhelming when you just are coming out of your sleep state. So you need to be in the moment (not projecting into the future or harboring on the past) and do someting that is very enjoyable, to feed your soul.
6/30/08 6:27pm
Try drinking a glass of juice first thing in the morning. It is hard, however try not to let yourself dwell on how you feel. Get going and focus on anything you can that is positive in your life and know that the day will get better.
11/19/08 8:11am
My question is this: everyone says walk, exercise, etc. I have to be out the door what is early for me-7:00. I am starting a new career as a teacher and I never used to have to get to work until 8:30 or 9:00. Getting up a 6:00 to leave by 7:00 is hard, plus I have arthritis which slows me even more. Any thoughts that don't involve rising so early? It has nothing to do with how late I get to bed, either.
3/12/10 6:22pm
I feel that I wouldn't mind dying in the morning , I dread the day to come so much.
However, I have found that preparing the night before for the next day to be very
helpful: I make sure the house is tidied up, lunches packed and clothes laid out.
I even have a huge evening bath so that a "lick and a promise" will do next morning. I am not immediately faced with numerous small chores before the day
proper begins. This routine makes me feel all self-righteous to go to bed and more able to face the big stuff next day. Joanna
6/ 9/10 8:38am
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
For the last few months I have been suffering from morning depression too, and I have also suffered with SAD ( seasonal affective disorder) I have a hunch that morning depression is related to SAD which is caused by a lack of light, and I think that morning depression is caused by the fact that during the night we have been away from light too long and so we wake up with a form of SAD, but as the day wears on the depression lifts because our brains receive the light that we crave. I have a light that is made for SAD, and I think I will use it in the early morning. I have found something else too. If I take large doses of Bendryl I get relief.
6/ 9/10 10:14am
What I have found helpful for any kind of depression is to force myself to do some kind of exercise that makes my body sweat. Along that line I have found that the drug Bendryl to be helpful. It seems to lift my depression just enough so I can do some kind of exercise that produces a sweat It is a theory of mine that the reason we get depressed is that there is some chemical in our blood or system that makes us depressed, and we need to sweat it out. Sun light and sweat has been what I have cured myself with. It is very hard for when you are depressed you want to stay in bed, and that is the worse thing for you.
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media. Remedy Health Media does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
By Hopeful Girl— Last Modified: 05/03/11, First Published: 05/07/08
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hi I am glad that there are people like me that feel the same way i do with morning depression as soon as i open my eyes it feels like an impending doom has come over me and i feel soo angry with the world I have a sort of great fear of facing the the day
I am on antidepressentd but i think i would have to take it at night but so far i am overweight and i know that makes me feel bad. I found that if you follow a very healthy diet that can help with the morning depression I was on a great no flower and sugar diet to lose weight from a 12 step program and it was getting easier to wake up in the morning but i had complications with not having sugar in my system so i had to add a little sugar but then thanksgiving came and i went nuts on the food and that just through me off but i am glad there are people like me out there Like to hear from you guys