Feeling dreadful in the mornings

[whitecloud]

Does anyone have any strategies for coping when feeling panicky/distressed first thing in the morning? I have tried deep breathing, but it's hard to stop your mind going round and round when you wake at 5 a.m. and are plagued with negative thoughts. Any tips? Also, is anyone finding Christmas hard to deal with? So much stress and "supposed to be happy".

have you tried eating something like oatcakes.... sometimes your low blood sugar first thing can make you feel panicy.

hi white cloud im in the same boat seem to be worst in the morning i try to get up put on the t.v or do a crossword or read a magazine and tell my self everythins ok whats the worst that can happen and in reality will that really happen most of the time the answer is no .are you on ad's? i try to keep busy but do totally understand how negative thoughts follow you around even when your trying to do other things

yes im stressed about xmas i have mum and dad for lunch xmas day and im stressing that i will be anxious and unable to cook for them or be good company .just remeber its jsut one day!!!!
repeat at all times lol

Thanks for suggestions. Am on AD's or might be even worse. Do you find some days worse than others? Will try your suggestions, stressed santa and also eat a bit more in the morning. Good luck with having parents to dinner. Have lost my Mum and Dad within a year and facing the first Christmas without Mum. Last Christmas was hard, too. Am going to my in-laws - is just one day and will have to hope family togetherness doesn't get to me too much. Don't want to spoil anyone else's enjoyment. Everything will be better than I think, I am sure.

Whitecloud - I'm on ADs too and at the peak of my depression I was very very anxious in the morning...particularly on the days when I was at home all day with DS and DH leaving to go to work used to make me feel dreadful and worried about how I would cope.

My coping strategy was to push myself to eat something and have a cup of tea and ensure I had something planned for the day. This meant DS got a nice activity with Mummy and I had some focus, motivation for getting out etc..

Its really hard and I do sympathise. Having a bit of a relapse at the moment too so working through that slowly and steadily!