Time of Day worse with depression

@liz223, .I, too, feel more depressed at a certain time of the day. Regardless of what I have or have not accomplished during the day, I get very depressed and anxious around 4:00 in the afternoon. Thank you for your posting because it makes me feel less alone - or that I'm going crazy. @cognac

Cognac, can you tie anything to this time of day that might cause your depression? How long does this last?

@liz223

I have a few questions for you.
- Do you take any medications at bedtime?
- Do you have diabetes?
- How many hours do you sleep at night?
- Do you snore?

I'm asking these questions because all of these things have affected my feelings of depression and brain fog in the morning.
-The medication that affected my brain fog the most was Gabapentin, which is also Neurontin, and they are close in chemistry to Lyrica. I had memory loss and brain fog until I stopped taking the Gabapentin.
- I have Type 2 diabetes. When my blood sugar is high I feel lethargic, brain fog, and sleepiness, as well as thirst. If you don't know whether or not you have diabetes, you may want to check with your physician about getting tested. If you do have T2 diabetes, check your blood sugar level first thing in the morning to determine if it's high. I'm talking about levels of 200 or higher.
- When I don't get adequate hours of deep sleep, especially when it became chronic due to stress, I had brain fog and depression in the morning and the afternoon. Make sure you are getting at least 7 hours of sleep at night. Sleeping too much can also result in brain fog and depression. This can be caused by medications and/or general depression. Check with your physician again if you are taking antidepressant medication as this may need to be changed. If you aren't taking a medication for depression and you are depressed, you may want to have genetic tests to determine an antidepressant that would work for you. The tests will also help determine if you need to change antidepressant if you are taking one now.
- Last, if you snore at night, please get a sleep study. You may have sleep apnea which can make you feel like you have described. I had sleep apnea and began reluctantly to use a Cpap machine at night. They look ugly, and I swore after seeing my brother using one that I would never do that. But, after one week of using mine I was amazed at the wonderful quality of sleep I got! I awoke each morning with energy and feeling completely rested. I loved it. I have lost 80 pounds since then, and no longer need the Cpap, but right now when I have a cold I wish I still used it. LOL

If any of these items are true for you, please check with your physician to see if you can do anything that will correct your morning depression. I also recommend getting adequate exercise each day. Walking does wonders for depression and quality of sleep. Please keep in touch with us and let us know how you are doing and what actions you are taking.

Gail
Volunteer Mentor

I feel exactly the same way. I hate mornings. As the day goes on I feel better. I use to think that it was caused by the medicine I take but that proved wrong. It is definitely from the depression and has been my pattern for years.

Me, too.

When I wake up in the mornings, the weight of the world is on my shoulders. I have battled depression all my life. I have a few little traditions that I stick with to help me change my attitude for the day. I always have delicious coffee in the morning. I sip it while I look outside to see what is going on in the neighborhood. I open the living room curtains to let the sunlight in. I continue sipping it as I read a very short devotional. I read it multiple times, in order for the content to sink into my brain. I get all my vitamins and meds into one of those cute little containers that you can put in your purse. Mine is decorated with tiny pineapples, of all things. I do this because I have to take a lot of medicine. I have chronic conditions that are high maintenance. It gets boring just draggin down my medicine bag every single day. Depressing, too. So, I have discovered that this way, I can slip it into my purse and take it a little bit at a time, as I please. I suppose it allows me a bit of control. That is important, I think, when battling depression. I pray, I practice meditation and mindfulness. I lay out my colorful, Bohemian type clothing, then I shower. All the while, I am relaxing in the presence of the Spirit of the Universe, which I like to call the Holy Spirit. Without beating anyone over the head, with the Bible or any other spiritual resource, I am happier when I think that Someone out there loves me. He knows my name. And even though I have been through a lot in this life, there is still a reason for my being here. And my plan is to spend as much time as I can loving on other people who are going through a lot. People need hope, and I know for sure it is out there. Helping others helps me. You are unique and have gifts that only you can use in your sphere of influence. Keep trying, and keep hoping. I do believe it will get better for you.

In the past mornings were my best time. Now it would be nice to just not wake up.

I am also endeavoring that someone somewhere loves me and not the place I live, the kind of car I drive, the way I eat, the clothes I wear and not ask me what I am taking because I present with a smile, politeness and respect. I rarely see my own grandson because of these things. I pay my own bills, I care for myself, I still have my own car and still I am trash to some. I certainly do NOT go on vacation with my son, his wife and children!! I would not even think of doing such!!!!!

@mamasitalucita
What very helpful words, @mamasitalucita. You acknowledge the difficulties you have in the mornings, however, you tell us how you turn your feelings around with certain activities that bring you comfort and that also comfort others. Thank you for those great ideas! Teresa

Iam also much worse in the mornings. When i first wake up i feel a heaviness in my chest and anxiety. I also gave depression. It takes me until at least mid day to feel better.