Hello, I wasn't really sure where to post this. I'm in my early twenties, I've had depression since I was about 9, and an anxiety disorder since I was about 15. I also have Asperger's Syndrome as well as some minor physical health problems that are clearly related in part to my anxiety (acid reflux, IBS, migraines, etc). I'm doing the best I ever have been in my adult life thus far. I've halved the dosage of my antidepressant and I'm doing no worse for it. I would probably describe my depression as mild at the moment, and my anxiety as moderate, which is all a huge improvement for me.
I've never been a morning person. I've always slept badly, even as a small child - I think this is influenced in part by my Asperger's Syndrome as I'm hyper-sensitive to noise, light, etc. I've always had patchy attendance at school since my anxiety disorder kicked in and my depression woresened when I was about 15, and this has continued. I'm at uni now, in my final year, and my attendance is going better than ever before. BUT I'm still really struggling with mornings! I always feel most low and anxious first thing in the morning, and when I get up early my acid reflux always seems worst too and hurts my tummy. And the biggest symptom of my depression that sees little sign of lifting at the moment is just the sheer exhaustion that I feel. I'm doing great, I'm studying, I have a part-time job, I'm soo much further than I was, but I am really tired all the time, far more than an average person would be for sure. I feel so exhausted when I set my alarm to get up early in the morning for morning classes. On average I need to be in at 9am at least two mornings a week and at the moment each week I'm only managing one of these. And I only live a 20 minute walk from campus as well so it's not as if I have a long commute or anything!
I know that depression is largely recognised to be diurnal so I'm sure I'm not the only one here who struggles with mornings. Does anyone have any tactics, strategies that I can try?? To improve my sleep maybe as well, or to help get out of bed in the mornings etc. Because my attendance at uni is still suffering and it's really frustrating when I've done all the prep for my seminars and then turn my alarm off because I feel so anxious and sleepy and go to sleep instead of going to the class!
(Also can I just say if you haven't had mental ill health in this way I don't think you will understand the significance of the exhaustion/low mood in the mornings, it's not like it is for an average person.)