Depression worse in morning?

[morningstruggles]

Hi,

I have now been on citalopram (20mg) for 8 weeks and an increased dose of 40mg for 2 weeks.

This medication is really helping so far with my depression and anxiety but I know it's still early days.

However at the minute I am like two different people, the morning person and the afternoon person.

In the mornings I am struggling with my depression, anxiety and OCD. I cry so easily and have many intrusive thoughts. However from about 10am onwards I am like a different person! Happy, more energetic and focussed.

Has anybody else experienced this? Any tips for making the mornings easier? Or know if it gets better?

Thanks

Hello, in my experience of depression and anxiety my mood is worse in the mornings, and this is actually a common symptom of clinical depression. Some things that might help are - go easy on caffeine, try to get some gentle outdoor exercise early on, practice breathing exercises. It will pass

Depression is traditionally worse in the morning and better as the day goes on. So it’s normal. It’s a good sign if your afternoons are good. Hopefully as the higher dose kicks in your mornings will become better too.

Yes I have this, particularly when I haven’t had enough sleep. I work for myself so have been able to work out that my depression is a million times better when I am able to sleep in until about 9:30-10:00. Even if I get up at 7:00 and go back at 8:00 for 2 hours it makes such a difference. Also, getting outside as early as possible in the day helps too.

I have long term clinical depression, which I manage with a combination of medication and lifestyle changes (diet, activities etc.). My depression is worse in the mornings.
I am naturally a late riser, but try my hardest to force myself up to exercise early in the morning. I find it very tough and don't always manage it, especially in the winter, but it really does make an enormous difference.
I have also found cold water immersion immensely beneficial. It's a bit brutal, but build up to it and it's very therapeutic.
Good luck x

Thanks all for all your input and suggestions. I have already cut out the morning caffeine which has helped with the anxiety a bit.

Weird update .... this morning is the first morning I haven't felt as bad (since my mental health breakdown 2 months ago).

The only thing different was I didn't have my normal evening chocolate in bed whilst watching my shows. This is my daily treat for getting through the day.

However I'm wondering if there is a link between sugar before bed and my morning dip?!

Of course it could just be that I've now been on the higher dose of citalopram for 2 weeks and 1 day so it's kicking in more.

May have to pay more attention to sugar consumption in the evenings to test the theory.

@SignOnTheWindow do you have any recommendations of where I can learn more about cold water immersion? I have heard a few people mentions this in relation to mental health but wouldn't know where to start

@morningstruggles

I started in Jan 2020 by getting in a cold bath every morning, starting at 16 degrees for 1 minute and building up to 10 degrees (roughly the temp you get when running the cold water tap alone) for 10 mins. I'd lie in the bath so my torso and shoulders were immersed but kept my feet and hands out as I have Raynaud's syndrome.

After about a month , I found a local swimming lake and then found a local open water swimming group. These people have now become firm friends - the cameraderie and support has been as uplifting as the cold water. Lots of the group have mental health issues, so everyone understands when you're having a bad day. I always leave feeling so much better.

Where in the country are you? I may be able to recommend some groups/venues.

Here are a couple of links to start you off:

www-sciencefocus-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/cold-water-swimming-why-an-icy-dip-is-good-for-your-mental-and-physical-health/amp/?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#aoh=16384419818712&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencefocus.com%2Fthe-human-body%2Fcold-water-swimming-why-an-icy-dip-is-good-for-your-mental-and-physical-health%2F

www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/how-to-acclimatise-to-cold-water/