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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Michael83 on January 30, 2007, at 19:11:19
For people dealing with any sort of mental issues similar to anxiety or depression, or just some "mental" issue that is not consistent. (not like germaphobia, but more like depression/moods...etc.)
Do you find that you're better in the morning? Or at night?
A few nights ago, when I was tired and my mind was "weak" (for lack of a better term), I was feeling really scared and anxiety stricken (over my fear of death). Some of you will recognize the following thought; I was thinking, "I have this in my head, there is no way I can get it out and feel better! It's stuck and never leading!" Like it was a incurable cancer.
Lo and behold, the next morning, I woke up. As my mind slowly woke up, I was in the shower thinking and feeling "Wow, I feel really good!" My brain just felt energized and I couldn't even CONCIEVE the negative thoughts (most of my negative thoughts are very abstract and "dreamlike", you know, something you feel and understand, but cannot put into words).
But my mind was just feeling...well, normal. It was functioning normally, blocking out the bad thoughts and the logic and connection with reality was going strong.
Yet right now, it's about 7pm and I can slowly feel it come on, like it does most nights. I don't feel that bad, but I can conceive the abstract thoughts and my mind is a pretty weak, but I'm not panicing and I am doing ok. I mean it's very rare to have a "scary morning," but "scary nights" are quite common for me. I truly believe it has a lot of to do with brain chemistry/energy/whatever. Something chemically. My brain just works more normally in the morning.
But has anyone else noticed anything like this with themselves in regard to night/day or energized/tired?
Posted by Daisym on January 30, 2007, at 19:20:29
In reply to Anxiety, depression, etc: Morning vs Night..., posted by Michael83 on January 30, 2007, at 19:11:19
I think there are definately chemical changes in the brain that make you less depressed in the morning. And sleep plays a huge role - bigger than most people think. So much repair work and integration of feelings and thoughts and experiences happen when we are sleeping. When I don't sleep, or sleep very little, I find myself having melt downs much more quickly.
But I also think that the kinds of stress we have to face play into this too. I will often stay up very late because at 2am no one wants anything from me and nothing bad can come in the mail and my company is closed, etc. etc. My therapist says I feel "free." I guess he is right. Sometimes it is lonely but I think I'm choosing lonely over stress right now.
Good thread - interesting idea. Makes me think of light-therapy for SAD.
Posted by Michael83 on January 30, 2007, at 19:27:52
In reply to Re: Anxiety, depression, etc: Morning vs Night..., posted by Daisym on January 30, 2007, at 19:20:29
>>>>I will often stay up very late because at 2am no one wants anything from me and nothing bad can come in the mail and my company is closed, etc. etc. My therapist says I feel "free." I guess he is right. Sometimes it is lonely but I think I'm choosing lonely over stress right now.
I usually avoid nights because they're scary, but sometimes I've stayed up really late like you and I take drives in the middle of the night (like 2 or 3 am), when hardly no cars are out. Just drive through a neighborhood, or somewhere I like being, and it seems all the problems of the world I gone. Like life has come to a "standstill" and I can savor the moment. =)
Nights, if the situation is right, can also be helpful too, I agree. But I still try to avoid them. =p And I usually call it a "early morning" drive to myself, rather than "late night." I hear "early morning" and it makes me think of a fresh new beginning, where everything is ahead of me.
Posted by sunnydays on January 30, 2007, at 20:15:51
In reply to Anxiety, depression, etc: Morning vs Night..., posted by Michael83 on January 30, 2007, at 19:11:19
I get much much much more sad at night than in the morning. My theory is that in the morning I have more energy and am looking forward to a day of things I have to do, but at night my mind slows and can relax, so the sad feelings can come up more. But I definitely relate. The difference is marked for me.
sunnydays
Posted by Phillipa on January 30, 2007, at 20:48:48
In reply to Re: Anxiety, depression, etc: Morning vs Night..., posted by Daisym on January 30, 2007, at 19:20:29
Daisy although I'm not working I do the same thing as I feel safe at night. No obligations. Love Phillipa. ps wish I was a morning person always have never have been
Posted by zazenduckie on January 31, 2007, at 8:40:40
In reply to Anxiety, depression, etc: Morning vs Night..., posted by Michael83 on January 30, 2007, at 19:11:19
I feel better in the morning too. I wake up in the night with panic attacks. I am always rejoicing to see the morning arrive.
Posted by Kath on January 31, 2007, at 17:22:11
In reply to Anxiety, depression, etc: Morning vs Night..., posted by Michael83 on January 30, 2007, at 19:11:19
I'm WAY worse in bed. During the early morning hours if I wake up I'm bad. Sometimes I am imobilized in bed & can't get up.
Now that I'm taking R184 Dr Reckeweg homeopathic medicine, it's helping me immensely.
On the whole, though, mornings are BAD for me!
Kath
Posted by Wildflower on February 3, 2007, at 11:26:39
In reply to Anxiety, depression, etc: Morning vs Night..., posted by Michael83 on January 30, 2007, at 19:11:19
I feel much better at night. I've never been a morning person. My depression and anxiety haven't changed this.
This is the end of the thread.
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