Waking up depressed

Jack B. Badd

Hey all,

Recently I've been feeling very depressed first thing in the morning and I don't know why. It usually only lasts about 20 minutes maximum and then I'm fine and happy for the rest of the day, but sometimes its almost impossible to get out of bed until it passes. I've a couple of stresses in my life at the moment (college, family, social life, etc) but no more so than most people. Also I rarely if ever remember my dreams so I can't really say if its because of what I'm dreaming about. Just wondering if anyone out there has experienced anything similar to this and if they know how to combat it. It's not exactly life-ruining but its been going on for a few weeks now and it's getting annoying.

Thanks, Jack.

ssh

It could be light related - have you considered getting a lightbox?

Lux23

I agree with second poster. It probably is the time of the year and you should start to feel better when there is more light. I have the same thing myself at the moment and I have missed 2 days this month because I couldn't get out of the bed.

seamus

Are you on any medication, or do you like a wee drink before bed?

It could be a multitude of things really, even something as small as getting 30 mins too little sleep.

Gaillimhtaibhse

Jack B. Badd wrote:

Hey all,

Recently I've been feeling very depressed first thing in the morning and I don't know why. It's not exactly life-ruining but its been going on for a few weeks now and it's getting annoying.

Thanks, Jack.

If you were a Jill instead of a Jack, then I would propose a different answer to "first thing in the morning" problems that started a few weeks ago.

So Jack, did anything different happen to you around the time this all started? A couple posters have already proposed environment and light as a solution. Anything else? Anything change? Diet? Drink? Stop exercising? Lose someone important to you (family, g/f, etc.)? Not knowing you, or having more details, it's all guesswork by any of us on this thread.

In any case, I wish you well.

lyrama

Heya, I get that a lot, I'll fall into depression for brief periods sometimes the best thing to do really is to take time to yourself, take like a couple of minutes out and think. Think and breathe, look at something totally unconnected to what your feeling at the moment and your head should get a bit clearer. Also laughing and talking to a friend who's oblivious to it helps. The normality of their attitude'll make you forget about it, somehow it slips out as easily as it slips in. Hope that helps a bit! Feel better soon xa

Jack B. Badd

Didn't consider that it might be related to the time of year but it could indeed be a factor in the whole thing. I definitely find it easier to hop out of bed during the summer when its not pitch black outside so I guess the lack of light in the morning may be a big part of the reason. If thats the case it could be reasonalby easily fixed.

Gaillimhtaibhse wrote:

If you were a Jill instead of a Jack, then I would propose a different answer to "first thing in the morning" problems that started a few weeks ago.

I know Jack ain't the most feminine of names but don't judge a book by its cover (or title in this case). And it ain't one of those "first thing in the morning" problems!

Gaillimhtaibhse wrote:

So Jack, did anything different happen to you around the time this all started? A couple posters have already proposed environment and light as a solution. Anything else? Anything change? Diet? Drink? Stop exercising? Lose someone important to you (family, g/f, etc.)? Not knowing you, or having more details, it's all guesswork by any of us on this thread.

Have had a couple of pretty heavy things I've had to deal with over the past year or so but nothing massive in the past few weeks or a month and it's really only since the New Year that this has started. One thing I was thinking was that it might be a post Christmas (most depressing time of the year) thing.

Anyhoo, thanks all.

Victor

Is it the "ah no, not another day / week of this?" feeling?

Is there something that you can do in the morning that you really like? - like finding a woman next to you, something nice for breakfast, saying hello to the dog?

Jack B. Badd

Not really the "ah no, not another day / week of this" feeling. Thats there too but after 20 odd years of dealing with it its not so much of a problem. The feeling of being depressed over something doesn't linger for the morning - like I said the feeling is usually gone after 20 minutes or so of getting up but it can be really strong first thing when I wake up and to be honest its a crappy way to start the day.

Btw people, this Jack is a lady and a straight one at that so no waking up with women next to her. Also no dog to say hello to - damn student life not conducive to keeping of pets

Gaillimhtaibhse

Jack B. Badd wrote:

Btw people, this Jack is a lady and a straight one at that so no waking up with women next to her. Also no dog to say hello to - damn student life not conducive to keeping of pets

Apologies for stumbling in the wrong direction earlier...:o

This may seem trivial, but are you in fact getting enough sleep at night? Everyone is different and has different needs. When I was hitting the books a lot, as well as going out a bit too frequently, I found myself hard to start in the mornings, but could rise to the occasion after a few minutes. Getting up was often depressing. Sometimes I used a cup of java to jump-start the day. Have your sleeping habits changed (around the time that the morning depressions began)?

Jack B. Badd

Gaillimhtaibhse wrote:

Apologies for stumbling in the wrong direction earlier...:o

Not a bother I should really accept the fact that not everyone loves Pitch Black as much as moi!

I'm very strict when it comes to my sleeping habits (less than 8 hours and I'm just not functional). To be honest, I had been thinking that this was my problem and I've been making an attempt to sleep at least 8 hours every night for the past week but it doesn't seem to be making any difference. I have the odd late night like any student but nothing strikes me as unusual since this started.
Gonna hope its the lack of light in the mornings and if it isn't...well, I dunno!

Ickle Magoo

I often feel depressed in these dark mornings - I think they call it seasonal affective disorder....

I try to get up on time, switch all the lights on (have nice bright lights around the place) and hop in the shower.....get nice fresh shower gels like lime burst or lemon or something to help wake you up & stimulate those senses....maybe go for a short jog or a swim or cycle in the morning to get the adrenaline pumping....

I usually feel like a hedgehog in the winter - I feel like hiding under the nice warm duvet until spring, lol....I find dragging myself out of bed to do exactly the opposite of what I feel like doing makes me feel much happier in the long run! Maybe also look at taking a vitamin suppliment & omega 3 oil...can't do you any harm & it may be you have a defficiency you weren't aware of....Best of luck

Binomate

Eh, nobody likes getting up.