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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by mist on January 4, 2002, at 9:41:29
I've noticed that for some reason about 95-99% of the times I'm awake in the early morning (starting at 3:30-5:30 a.m. approximately) my mood is noticably better than at other times.
The only exceptions to this were times when I had the kind of depression where I'd wake up early and with a horrible sense of dread (usually related to stressful situations I was going through that had made the depression worse). Fortunately, I have not had that particular symptom for several years, even though I've been very depressed in the last couple of years.
What I find curious about the improved mood in the early a.m. is it doesn't seem to be related to my sleep cycle. In other words, I feel the same effect if I'm awake at that time because I've a) been up all night; b) woken up early (before I've slept enough) from too much caffeine the day before, anxiety, noises in the environment, etc.; or c) gone to sleep early the night before and got 7-8 hours sleep. In other words, for whatever reason.
I don't think it's just that I'm a "morning person," because I also like being awake at night (I seem to get more done at night, for one thing—I can focus better). There seems to be some physiological change that occurs in the early morning that elevates my mood, and is unrelated to sleep patterns. I feel more optimistic at that time, less anxious and afraid (once I get up—even if anxiety had been in part the cause of my waking up), and like I have more control over my future and things are possible, etc.
Anyone else experience this or know what causes it?
Posted by Simcha on January 4, 2002, at 10:21:49
In reply to early morning elevated mood, posted by mist on January 4, 2002, at 9:41:29
I never experienced this until I got medical treatment for the depression. I would wake up not wanting to be alive every day before treatment.
After a few months of treatment I would wake up with a feeling that I wanted to be alive and awake.
These days the feeling is more intense. I used to be a night person. (Not by choice.) I was an insomniac before treatment too. Now I find that it is difficult for me to stay up past 10pm.
I like the change. I feel I'm better able to take care of myself on this new sleep pattern. I can "sleep in" in the mornings sometimes (on weekends). However the cat still expects his breakfast at 6am so I always have to feed him at that time or I get no peace. LOL!
Do you find that you have experienced this before or after treatment?
> I've noticed that for some reason about 95-99% of the times I'm awake in the early morning (starting at 3:30-5:30 a.m. approximately) my mood is noticably better than at other times.
>
> The only exceptions to this were times when I had the kind of depression where I'd wake up early and with a horrible sense of dread (usually related to stressful situations I was going through that had made the depression worse). Fortunately, I have not had that particular symptom for several years, even though I've been very depressed in the last couple of years.
>
> What I find curious about the improved mood in the early a.m. is it doesn't seem to be related to my sleep cycle. In other words, I feel the same effect if I'm awake at that time because I've a) been up all night; b) woken up early (before I've slept enough) from too much caffeine the day before, anxiety, noises in the environment, etc.; or c) gone to sleep early the night before and got 7-8 hours sleep. In other words, for whatever reason.
>
> I don't think it's just that I'm a "morning person," because I also like being awake at night (I seem to get more done at night, for one thing—I can focus better). There seems to be some physiological change that occurs in the early morning that elevates my mood, and is unrelated to sleep patterns. I feel more optimistic at that time, less anxious and afraid (once I get up—even if anxiety had been in part the cause of my waking up), and like I have more control over my future and things are possible, etc.
>
> Anyone else experience this or know what causes it?
Posted by mist on January 4, 2002, at 11:05:18
In reply to Re: early morning elevated mood » mist, posted by Simcha on January 4, 2002, at 10:21:49
> Do you find that you have experienced this before or after treatment?Simcha,
I experienced it all along, but for various reasons am not always awake at that time. I don't know if the phenomenon would sustain itself if I was awake at that time every day. My depression is not being treated with meds (I've had intolerable side effects)but I started taking 5-HTP about three weeks ago. However, I experienced the early morning improved mood before that. -mist
Posted by mist on January 4, 2002, at 11:54:28
In reply to Re: early morning elevated mood » Simcha, posted by mist on January 4, 2002, at 11:05:18
I wasn't sure if it was clear from my description but this mood doesn't last more than a few hours. It can happen at times when I'm otherwise very depressed and anxious (later in the day). It's almost like a nice, smooth, mild, mini-high. Then later I start to wonder which is the more realistic perspective--the early, "things are possible" one or the later doom and gloom one (which seems to more accurately reflect my circumstances, usually). Lately because of the 5-HTP (I assume) I haven't felt quite so doom and gloom even later in the day but it's not the same as the early morning feeling. I guess I'm wondering what causes it to see if there is some way I can sustain it throughout the day. -mist
Posted by pedr on January 4, 2002, at 12:37:31
In reply to thought I should clarify something, posted by mist on January 4, 2002, at 11:54:28
> I wasn't sure if it was clear from my description but this mood doesn't last more than a few hours. It can happen at times when I'm otherwise very depressed and anxious (later in the day). It's almost like a nice, smooth, mild, mini-high. Then later I start to wonder which is the more realistic perspective--the early, "things are possible" one or the later doom and gloom one (which seems to more accurately reflect my circumstances, usually). Lately because of the 5-HTP (I assume) I haven't felt quite so doom and gloom even later in the day but it's not the same as the early morning feeling. I guess I'm wondering what causes it to see if there is some way I can sustain it throughout the day. -mist
Hi Mist,
I don't know about a "mini-high" but I do find that I feel better the later in the day it is. If I stay up till 3a.m. for example, I find I feel way better and more stable then than at any time during that day.I certainly get the standard "waking low" though - pretty much every morning, no matter when I get up or how well I felt the previous day. It's as if going to sleep "rubs out" the previous day's progress so that you go back to square one [low and depressed] every morning.
If only I could remember how to feel good the next day....
Cheers,
pete.
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