Brief Morning Blues

[Deuce]

For about three years I've been having this experience. On days in which I don't work and don't have to rise early I'll feel depression at a certain time in the morning, say from about maybe 7:30 on while still in bed, but once I get up it goes away. Doesn't happen when I get up early on a workday though. Anyone else experience this?

 

[David Baxter PhD]

It sounds like perhaps your coping strategy for depression is distraction. How does this relate to the anxiety you experience that you have mentioned in another thread?

 

[ThatLady]

Hmm...sounds like you're dreading the day with nothing to do. Perhaps, if you had a hobby, or exercised first thing in the morning, or took a walk...in other words, had something planned for your day, you could ward off these feelings of depression. I see it as David does. You need something to do.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Actually, ThatLady, I was thinking the opposite - that there may be an underlying depression there all the time that is masked when she's got things to do to keep her mind distracted - then when she relaxes, it comes more into the foreground.

 

[ThatLady]

I'd agree, David, that there is probably an underlying depressive state that is kept at bay through distractions such as work. I was thinking, if it's not possible to get treatment right away, perhaps other distractions might help keep things under control until help can be obtained. From what I can gather, the only time the depression is a problem at the moment is when Deuce is faced with a non-work day with no plans for something with which to stay occupied.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

True enough.