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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by chiron on August 18, 2007, at 9:11:06
From what I see, this is still an unknown to researchers, but I was wondering if anyone has know of any hypotheses.
I know that sleep is very much tied to mood and for bipolars, less sleep often triggers mania, or going without sleep may improve mood short-term.
My cycling used to be more unpredictable. I never knew how I would wake up, or how I would vary. But I knew that usually later in the day I would be in a more opposite state that I was in the morning. Sometimes even after a nap I would be worse than right before my nap.
Then for a few months when anxiety was introduced to me, it was extreme in the mornings. I woke up feeling freaked out about nothing every morning at 5:30. It was useful to get me to go running, but that didn't resolve it. I know cortisol is higher in the mornings, but my am blood test showed that it was in range.
Now my most common "norm" is not to wake up with anxiety, but want to sleep more. And I have to remind myself that my mood usually improves a little as the day goes on (although it never improves as much as I would like).
So why is depression often worse in the mornings for people with mood disorders?
Posted by polarbear206 on August 18, 2007, at 11:41:41
In reply to Why is mood worse in mornings?, posted by chiron on August 18, 2007, at 9:11:06
> From what I see, this is still an unknown to researchers, but I was wondering if anyone has know of any hypotheses.
>
> I know that sleep is very much tied to mood and for bipolars, less sleep often triggers mania, or going without sleep may improve mood short-term.
>
> My cycling used to be more unpredictable. I never knew how I would wake up, or how I would vary. But I knew that usually later in the day I would be in a more opposite state that I was in the morning. Sometimes even after a nap I would be worse than right before my nap.
>
> Then for a few months when anxiety was introduced to me, it was extreme in the mornings. I woke up feeling freaked out about nothing every morning at 5:30. It was useful to get me to go running, but that didn't resolve it. I know cortisol is higher in the mornings, but my am blood test showed that it was in range.
>
> Now my most common "norm" is not to wake up with anxiety, but want to sleep more. And I have to remind myself that my mood usually improves a little as the day goes on (although it never improves as much as I would like).
>
> So why is depression often worse in the mornings for people with mood disorders?
>It has alot to do with our biological clocks being out of rhythm. It is very important to try to adhere to the same sleep/wake cycle. The more you sleep on those days when you want to, the worse you will feel. Many bipolar's like me too, have atypical depression features and morning depressions, that get better or lift as the day goes by. I get more of this in the winter months, which many bipolars too have SAD.
Polarbear
Posted by rina on August 18, 2007, at 18:21:52
In reply to Re: Why is mood worse in mornings? » chiron, posted by polarbear206 on August 18, 2007, at 11:41:41
I feel the same way in the morning. What helps for me is to get the same amount of rest each night, even on the weekends. Also, to use the light/darkness therapy. Total darkness at night and no darkness in the daytime, even when I've opted to stay in the house. Try if you can to always get out of the house even when your in a funk because sunlight does wonders for your mood. Lastly, if there's no way you feel like getting out of the house make sure to at least get a shower first thing in the morning and get dressed, then open the blinds. It will do wonders just in case you decide to get motivated to get out. Good luck!
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