Early morning anxiety/overwhelmed atm

[Katherine22]

Hi just needing some advice on early morning anxiety and coping with life at the moment please.

I have suffered depression for over 15 years and anxiety the last probably 3 years now. I have had early morning anxiety for about two years but it sort of hung around a few weeks then went, but now it's back.

I had to have major surgery 2 weeks ago and it's been a ok recovery ups and downs but the last week the early morning anxiety has been bad. I wake up every morning about 3-4 and can't sleep for hours. My mind is racing through the past and its v difficult to stop it.

I'm also pretty stressed as my family is always here not just for a visit but to stay for two weeks. I don't cope when too many people are here(plus I have a small house) I also can't cope with noise very much. My husband finds it hard when my family is here and it strains our relationship also.

Life is just a bit bad for me at the moment, thanks guys for your support.

[CheeseSlices]

Hi

This is an issue I also have - I think I have identified it in my case.

Cortisol - have you ever heard of it? It is a hormone release by the body.

I have a bad time of it when in adrenal failure. The morning cortisol rush also affected me over the christmas break - it has been starting as early as 3am. It gets better as the day goes on. Warm showers work for me - if you have the facilities.

[CheeseSlices]

Sorry for double posting I pressed reply early. (its very annoying not being able to edit posts!)

Meditation is also essential to me. Especially when it is peaking in the morning. Some days I do need to get up and move. I have found my bathroom to be a peaceful place. If I need I can sit in the shower picturing rainfall (shower cap) and meditating. Just staying there until I can cope enough to quiet my mind - it never takes as long as I think!

Qi gong has been a lovely thing - some days I can manage it in the morning to benefit but other days I cant, but that is ok.

Making sure your diet is as good as you can manage - magnesium and vitamin B foods could help. I find if I am hungry I need to eat STRAIGHT AWAY. When I dont - the anxiety gets worse. I havent figured out the super food but a bowl of cereal does the trick (even if i only eat a few mouthfuls).

It sucks but it does help to know its going to pass by lunchtime.

I also find I get more of this anxious energy 8-12 hours after my SSRI medication - a come down of sorts. Keep this in mind.

All the best for the new year.

[Katherine22]

Hello, thanks so much for your reply and great advice. Yes I have heard of cortisol, I wonder if there is a medication that can help with the drop in these levels?

3am is the crappiest time isn't it?! I think your advice for the warm shower whilst meditating is a great idea! Thankyou definately one I will try. I use the meditation apps and they do help but not as much as the use to. What is Qi gong?

Yes the diet I know helps so much and I try to eat healthy and will def be working on that!

I don't take any medication at all. I did try anti depressants once but I didn't like that they made me like a zombie, not myself at all actually no feeling whatsoever.

Thanks so much for your reply and Happy New Year!

[CheeseSlices]

I have been on most medications available for psychiatrict issues.

For me it comes in waves of a few weeks - I might have a bad time for a while and then be "magically" ok.

But its not magic. Its that I listen now. When my body wakes me at 3am with that intense feeling - I know I have overdone it this month.

I forget, think I am ok and the stress builds up.

When I was younger and under doctors supervision I was told this "morning sickness" was anxiety and to push through it. This was horrid advice and I look back on those years painfully.

Its a wake up call from your body - time to listen to your body first. Which is excessively hard at chirstmas!

I hope you can find some things to reduce your stress.

You may want to keep a diary of observation on this for use next time it pops up.

All the best 🙂

(ps my medication didnt hit until later this morning, I got a whole 4 hours sleep which is amazing! Thanks for bringing this topic up so I was more aware of myself too)

[Anchor]

Hi

Sorry to interject. I don't know too much about cortisol so will have to do some research, but can the low occur between 10am and midday or just in the early morning?

Recently I have had nausea and anxious thoughts for a couple of hours midmorning. After reading this thread I began to wonder if that might be what I'm experiencing.

my mind naturally assumed that I have some illness and I'm going to be super sick.

Cheers