Depression and Why It May Be Worse in the Morning
The symptoms of depression can take their toll on your everyday life, making it hard to carry out even mundane activities. However, if your depression feels particularly bad in the mornings, it’s not a figment of your imagination. This article explores the characteristics of depression, how it affects people’s minds and bodies, and why symptoms may be worse in the morning.
What Is Depression and What Are the Symptoms?
Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by deep feelings of sadness. Although it’s hard to distinguish between sadness and depression, depression lasts longer and can affect a person’s ability to work, sleep, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
One of the key differences between depression and sadness is that you can’t just snap out of depression. Situational sadness usually occurs after a life-altering event, such as job loss, a divorce, or the loss of a loved one. It usually gets better with time.
Clinical depression or major depressive disorder, however, is a chronic condition that requires treatment. Some symptoms of this type of depression include:
- Extended period of feeling down: When your feelings of hopelessness or despair are long-term and extend over months or even years, there is a good chance you are suffering from clinical depression. People with clinical depression often feel a deep sense of hopelessness and sadness without any apparent reason.
- Lack of energy: People suffering from depression typically have low energy levels and may prefer to stay in and sleep most of the day. They also may feel fatigued even after undemanding activities like cooking or cleaning.
- Changes in eating behavior: People with depression may gain a significant amount of weight or lose weight. This change in their eating habits, coupled with other symptoms, is often a clear sign of depression.
- Loss of interest or pleasure: Many people with depression find it difficult to enjoy hobbies and activities they once took pleasure in doing. This loss of interest can include avoiding family events and spending time with friends.
- Physical aches: Depression sometimes manifests as random headaches, pains, and aches throughout the body, such as back pain, shoulder pain, or muscle pain. Additionally, some people may have digestive issues.
The Types of Depression
You may be surprised to discover that there isn’t just one type of depression; there are quite a few. Although the symptoms of depression are the same, the root causes can vary. Here are some types of depression.
Major Depressive Disorder
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common type of depression. It is also the most severe and can affect a person’s work or school performance.
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) is a milder form of MDD, but it is chronic and can last for years. For people with PDD, their symptoms may swing back and forth from severe to mild.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) occurs in children and teenagers and is characterized by temper outbursts and extreme irritability. Children with this condition typically exhibit anger and negative moods throughout the day.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs during winter when individuals get less sunlight exposure and spend more time indoors. Symptoms include low energy levels, disrupted sleep patterns, and a feeling of hopelessness. A common treatment for SAD is light therapy. It involves sitting by a special lamp simulating sunlight for about 30 minutes daily, usually in the morning.
MDD With Psychosis
MDD with psychosis is a rather severe form of depression and is accompanied by hallucinations or delusions during depressive episodes. It affects between 10% and 19% of people with MDD.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression occurs in women after giving birth. The cause may be due to hormonal changes. Some symptoms include feelings of sadness as well as an inability to bond with the newborn baby.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) occurs in women right before their period. For many who experience PMDD, their periods are more painful than the norm. Symptoms of PMDD are mood swings, sadness, and irritability.
Atypical Depression
Atypical depression is just that: a condition where individuals experience periods of elevated mood and increased energy between depressive cycles. Other symptoms include a heavy feeling in both arms and legs, hypersomnia, and difficulty concentrating. Atypical depression affects about 15%-36% of people suffering from depressive disorder.
Why Is Depression Worse in the Morning?
Some individuals with depression may find that their symptoms are worse in the morning. While this may seem like a strange phenomenon, it isn’t. Several factors contribute to the increased severity of depressive symptoms in the morning.
Circadian Rhythms
The body’s circadian rhythms, or internal clock, help regulate sleep-wake cycles. When this rhythm is disrupted, as is the case with those suffering from depression, it can be challenging to wake up. As a result, depressive symptoms feel worse. Furthermore, people with depression often have poor-quality sleep. This lack of rest can contribute to increased fatigue in the morning, which can intensify their depressive symptoms.
Cortisol Levels
Cortisol is a hormone that is associated with stress. People with depression often have excessive cortisol secretion. Since this hormone is usually at its peak within the body in the morning, it can make some depression symptoms worse in the early hours of the day.
Interleukin-6
Some people with depression have high levels of the chemical interleukin-6 (IL-6), which can cause inflammation in the brain and contribute to depressive symptoms. Similarly to cortisol, IL-6 levels may peak in the morning.
The Causes of Depression
There are many reasons depression may arise in an individual, and typically, there isn’t just one cause. Depression is frequently a mixture of biological, social, and genetic factors.
Neurotransmitters
Serotonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters that help regular te a person’s mood. If these neurotransmitters become unbalanced, it can lead to mood disorders, such as depression.
Genetic Factors
Family history can sometimes contribute to depression. Certain genes may lead to an increased risk of developing depression. Individuals may inherit certain genetic variations from their parents, such as the chromosome 3p25-26. Some studies show that around 40% of people suffering from depression have this genetic link.
Environmental Factors
While 40% of depression cases can be traced to a genetic link, the other 60% may be caused by environmental factors.
- Childhood Adversity: Childhood abuse and neglect can have a significant impact on people’s mental health. Severe abuse and neglect often lead to depression or other mental health disorders.
- Difficulties in Life: Negative life events, such as extreme poverty, divorce, chronic illnesses, or the loss of a loved one, can trigger depressive symptoms. While some cases may be situational sadness, other cases may become clinical depression.
Psychological Factors
Some people may suffer from extreme pessimism and low self-esteem, increasing their likelihood of developing depression. They may also dwell on negative thoughts and actions. In addition, they may have less of a resilience to challenging events in life, making them more prone to despair.
Social Factors
Lonely people or those who are socially isolated may start to develop depressive symptoms. Others may be in long-term abusive relationships that will eventually impact their mental health.
Substance Abuse
Alcohol and other substance use disorders are linked to depression. Some people self-medicate with alcohol or drugs, while others develop depressive symptoms as a result of years of substance use.
Is Depression Treatable?
Fortunately, if you are suffering from depression, many treatment approaches can help ease your symptoms. Your treatment plan will depend on how severe your depression is, the type of treatment you prefer, and if you have other co-existing mental health disorders.
Psychotherapy or Talk Therapy
There are quite a few types of psychotherapy available for those suffering from depression.
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Therapists using CBT try to change negative thought patterns and behaviors to help improve their clients’ outlook and behavioral patterns. During CBT, a therapist will work with you to develop better insight into how past trauma may be causing you to engage in negative behaviors. You will also learn coping mechanisms to deal with feelings of sadness.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): While CBT focuses on the individual, IPT focuses on relationships and improving communication skills. IPT was originally developed to help treat major depressive disorder (MDD).
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Psychodynamic therapy focuses on the unresolved conflicts related to the causes of depression. By analyzing and exploring past traumas and their connection to people’s current mindsets, therapists can help people understand their present actions.
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) involves the use of electrical currents. Electrical currents are applied to the brain to induce seizures. ECT is typically performed in cases of severe depression where the individual is experiencing hallucinations, refuses to eat, or has thoughts of suicide. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) stimulates nerve cells in the brain. The procedure does not involve surgery and is only used when other treatment methods have been unsuccessful. During a TMS session, electromagnetic coils are placed next to an individual’s head. These coils then deliver magnetic pulses that stimulate areas of the brain that are experiencing decreased activity due to depression.
Group Therapy
People who are uncomfortable in individual therapy sessions may feel more comfortable joining support groups or group therapy. Group therapy creates a sense of community by allowing members to share similar experiences. This kind of peer support and sharing can help alleviate depressive symptoms. You will also learn coping skills that have been helpful to others.
Lifestyle Changes
Alongside therapy, individuals with depression are encouraged to follow a healthy diet, engage in regular exercise, and improve their sleep patterns. These lifestyle changes can help balance their daily mood swings.
Mind-Body Techniques
Meditation and yoga can help manage stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. While these activities alone can’t treat depression, they can significantly alleviate the symptoms of depression when combined with therapy.
Self-Help Strategies
Individuals suffering from depression are often encouraged to read self-help books and to keep a journal. Journaling can help them track their progress and express their emotions. These therapeutic strategies can help individuals take charge of their recovery.
Does Medication Help Alleviate the Symptoms of Depression?
Besides the above treatment methods, medication can also help alleviate the symptoms of depression. Antidepressant medications, such as Paxil or Zoloft, help balance the neurotransmitters that help regulate mood.
Antidepressants can also help smooth out the intense lows that people feel while struggling with depression. These lows include sadness, feelings of hopelessness, shame, and thoughts of suicide. By improving people’s moods, antidepressants can also help them resume activities they once loved.
Furthermore, antidepressants are crucial in preventing reoccurring depressive episodes. By keeping people on an even keel, they can then start to make progress with their therapy or other forms of treatment.
Although some people take antidepressants as the sole cure for their depression, a combination of antidepressants and therapy is recommended. While antidepressants can improve mood, they don’t tackle the root cause of the depression.
Some types of antidepressants include:
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac and Xanax
- Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), such as Cymbalta and Fetzima
- Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), such as Norpramin
The National Depression Hotline
If you are suffering from depression, contact the National Depression Hotline today. We can connect you with resources and specialists in your area for treatment options. Our depression hotline is free and available 24/7 at (866) 629-4564.
