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Original poster

Has anyone successfully got rid of morning anxiety (Cortisol Awakening Response)?

60 replies

WelshPoppy5 · 12/05/2023 07:29

Every morning I wake up with intense anxiety, feeling of dread etc. It doesn’t matter how I feel when I go to sleep, when I wake up the anxiety is there and really intense. It usually goes away after an hour or three, and I have a normal day. But it’s such an awful way to start every day.

I think it’s explained as the cortisol awakening response, and all the info online suggests ways to improve it once it’s there, but since it disappears on its own they all seem a bit pointless! Does anyone know how to prevent it happening in the first place?!

OP posts:
90stalgia · 12/05/2023 07:32

I would love to find an answer to this. Solidarity, OP.

ShatParp · 12/05/2023 07:35

Following for ideas as I have recently started having this too - I had no idea what it was! I'm not even stressed! I sympathise OP as it feels horrible.

urrrgh46 · 12/05/2023 07:36

I would love to know! I wake with crippling anxiety and it causes really bad heart palpitations that i'm already on permanent medication for.

MaryMargaret · 12/05/2023 07:36

Do you find it's worse in the summer? I do, and try to really black out the bedroom, or use a sleep mask, which helps a bit.

However for me its only as bad as you describe when I have got to the point where it's time to go on medication - ie it lessens but does not go away later . Medication definitely helps but I get that you might not want to go down that route

Original poster
WelshPoppy5 · 12/05/2023 07:38

I have bipolar so already take medication for that, happy to take the drugs 🤣 What one worked for your morning anxiety @MaryMargaret?

OP posts:
jelly79 · 12/05/2023 07:40

I don't think it's the same but I get anxiety in the morning if I stay in bed or don't have to get up immediately. I find exercise first thing gets rid (mainly) and it gives me the urgency to get up and on with the day

Nyancat · 12/05/2023 07:40

Haven't got it to go away but working on acknowledging it for what it is, biology, it's highest in the morning to wake me etc etc, and sitting with the feeling of it rather than trying to fight it and push it away has helped. Definitely seems to lessen it for me and allows me to get on with my day quicker than when I tried to fight it.

HalfasleepChrisintheMorning · 12/05/2023 07:47

Setraline

bellac11 · 12/05/2023 08:19

I suffer with this, its awful. It makes me feel paralysed yet restless at the same time.

Original poster
WelshPoppy5 · 12/05/2023 08:34

Eyesopenwideawake · 12/05/2023 08:18

Try this video;

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Thanks @Eyesopenwideawake but it’s more that I want it to stop happening rather than find ways to deal with it when it does if that makes sense? It always goes away on its own so I think it’s to do with the surge of cortisol, and as that lessens so does the anxiety. It’s just a really unpleasant way to start each day, so would love to find a way to stop it happening every day!

OP posts:
Original poster
WelshPoppy5 · 12/05/2023 08:35

HalfasleepChrisintheMorning · 12/05/2023 07:47

Setraline

I will ask my GP about this, but don’t think I can take it as I have bipolar (anti-depressants and bipolar are not a good mix!)

OP posts:
Original poster
WelshPoppy5 · 12/05/2023 08:35

Nyancat · 12/05/2023 07:40

Haven't got it to go away but working on acknowledging it for what it is, biology, it's highest in the morning to wake me etc etc, and sitting with the feeling of it rather than trying to fight it and push it away has helped. Definitely seems to lessen it for me and allows me to get on with my day quicker than when I tried to fight it.

Definitely agree with this - if I accept it and get on with things it does go more quickly

OP posts:
Original poster
WelshPoppy5 · 12/05/2023 08:37

jelly79 · 12/05/2023 07:40

I don't think it's the same but I get anxiety in the morning if I stay in bed or don't have to get up immediately. I find exercise first thing gets rid (mainly) and it gives me the urgency to get up and on with the day

I seem to get it either way, but it does go more quickly if I need to get up and go out etc

OP posts:
MichaelAndEagle · 12/05/2023 08:40

I've just started with this too. Is it menopause related?
I had no idea it was a thing with its own name.
I also just take a minute to recognise it, and I am up 20 minutes before everyone else to have a cup of tea etc. Usually fine by the time the kids are up.
Irs strange though. Like I have something to do that I'm dreading but I don't.

Original poster
WelshPoppy5 · 12/05/2023 08:42

MichaelAndEagle · 12/05/2023 08:40

I've just started with this too. Is it menopause related?
I had no idea it was a thing with its own name.
I also just take a minute to recognise it, and I am up 20 minutes before everyone else to have a cup of tea etc. Usually fine by the time the kids are up.
Irs strange though. Like I have something to do that I'm dreading but I don't.

Yes - it’s like waking up on the morning of an interview or exam but there’s nothing stressful actually happening that day 😅😭

OP posts:
MaryMargaret · 12/05/2023 09:03

I take Citalopram - sounds like that's going to be a no for you though?

Original poster
WelshPoppy5 · 12/05/2023 10:00

MaryMargaret · 12/05/2023 09:03

I take Citalopram - sounds like that's going to be a no for you though?

It might be a no but will ask the doctor - I think it might be ok to take an antidepressant with a mood stabiliser 🤞

OP posts:
BigPussyEnergy · 12/05/2023 10:03

I get this when my B12 is low. Maybe get some blood tests and see if you have any deficiencies as it could be easily resolved. I also take various other meds so I know it could be many other things too, but B12 is one of those vitamins that lots of people are low in, but if it’s “within normal range” it doesn’t get picked up.

thaegumathteth · 12/05/2023 13:35

Following in case anyone has a magic fix!!

Original poster
WelshPoppy5 · 12/05/2023 13:35

Thank you! Was hoping it would be something I could fix with vitamins. Last time I had a blood test everything was ok but going to check where I was in the range to see if I could boost any a bit

OP posts:
Original poster
WelshPoppy5 · 12/05/2023 13:36

WelshPoppy5 · 12/05/2023 13:35

Thank you! Was hoping it would be something I could fix with vitamins. Last time I had a blood test everything was ok but going to check where I was in the range to see if I could boost any a bit

That was to @BigPussyEnergy

OP posts:
Fairytoast · 12/05/2023 14:34

I have this too.
I feel absolutely dreadful in the mornings as though all of my anxiety has collected over night and hits me in one giant thud upon waking. I also have IBS which is exacerbated by anxiety so I have the double whammy of bad morning anxiety and awful guts. I’m also 50 and in perimenopause so that doesn’t help either! I feel so much better in the evenings. I dread waking up these days.
I have read that Ashwaganda is good at controlling cortisol levels, not sure if you can take it with other meds though?

Original poster
WelshPoppy5 · 12/05/2023 18:58

Fairytoast · 12/05/2023 14:34

I have this too.
I feel absolutely dreadful in the mornings as though all of my anxiety has collected over night and hits me in one giant thud upon waking. I also have IBS which is exacerbated by anxiety so I have the double whammy of bad morning anxiety and awful guts. I’m also 50 and in perimenopause so that doesn’t help either! I feel so much better in the evenings. I dread waking up these days.
I have read that Ashwaganda is good at controlling cortisol levels, not sure if you can take it with other meds though?

Sorry you have it too @Fairytoast. I think I read about ashwaganda somewhere when googling all this. Have you tried it?

OP posts:
Fairytoast · 13/05/2023 09:35

WelshPoppy5 I was given some to trial from my local health store, the lady who runs it swears by it and says it helps her so much. Unfortunately for me I also have IBS and the tablets upset me but it does have good reviews online so it may be worth trying?