Morning anxiety

[Chelle88]

Hi,

ive been suffering with anxiety everyday for about 2months now. It’s debilitating and I wake up with it every morning, it usually passes by about 4-5pm and then depression sets in and I can’t wajt to get to bed. I’m on medication, see a GP, and a counsellor I feel like I’m doing all I can but it’s not getting any better, I’m loosing hope and strength and I don’t know what to do, does anyone else have severe anxiety in the mornings and what have you found to help?

[Clear82]

Heya

I had morning anxiety for a while after a break up. I would wake up around the same time every morning in a panic attack and no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t get back to sleep.

I then went for a walk as soon as I woke up or if it wasn’t a good time for that I’d listen to a pod cast. I just didn’t stay in that moment , if that makes sense.

I thought this is how I’m going to be forever but I can assure you the cycle does break.

[bluehorseshoes]

Yes Clear, I can definitely agree with you about the walking and the podcasts. I'm now in the habit of walking, just around the block every morning and this helps, even just to feel the cold air on my face. As you said, it's about bringing myself back to the present, sometimes through sensations, rather than thinking about the future where anxiety likes to wait.

I often wake around 5am when my family is getting ready for work and the anxious thoughts creep in even though I want to keep sleeping. Next thing I know I'm spiraling and dreading the day. Podcasts are very useful to cut into this process - to distract. I subscribe to my favourite funny radio drive shows which can sometimes get me giggling instead of worrying. Or a 10 minute guided mediation on youtube. These are because I won't seem to listen to myself telling myself to relax, but I often will listen if someone else is talking... If you're not a breakfast person, I would also recommend forcing yourself to have something to eat - nerve links between the stomach and brain can give fullness/stimulation signals to help with a sense of ease.

Sending good vibes your way Chelle - Bluey

[Snoopy88]

Hi Chelle,

your name 88 is that your year of birth? Because it’s mine. I’m sorry to hear that you get really bad anxiety in the morning and it goes away after such a long period. I get anxiety around 1pm not in the morning though. I’m not sure what you can do because I’m struggling with really bad anxiety attacks too. I’m also on medication it’s not helping me either. But I’ll be starting a new medication soon I do hope it works. Because my anxiety attacks are so bad. I have a case manager and occupational therapist from the community mental health service so I don’t have to pay for it which is good it’s not helping though I’m not getting any better either I’m hoping this new medication helps. Maybe ask your GP to put you on a new medication.

Do do you know what triggers your anxiety? My trigger is my work colleague whose not speaking to me and has blocked me via phone and Facebook. When I get anxiety it’s usually about her my thoughts go racing her name is going round and round in my head and I see an image of her in my mind. It’s really scary I’m scared I’m going to have a breakdown soon. I hope the new medication really works. I have shiczoafftective disorder aswell as depression and bad anxiety. Is yours just anxiety?

[Whatsinaname]

On a podcast I like, not another anxiety show, they talked about this.

From memory anxiety is common in the morning because the brain releases chemicals deliberately to get you up and going. I hope that's right, been a long time since I heard that episode.

I found that helpful as I was the same, but now I know it's "normal'

[bluehorseshoes]

Yes Whats, Thanks for this. I think I remember hearing this too. Yeah thanks a lot brain - like I needed the extra jolt in the morning!

Of course it's easy now to look back and realise the things you did in the past that didn't help... in my last job I used to have 3 or 4 instant coffees before work and that plus the anxiety made me quite a cocktail to start the day - !

Whatsinaname said:On a podcast I like, not another anxiety show, they talked about this.

From memory anxiety is common in the morning because the brain releases chemicals deliberately to get you up and going. I hope that's right, been a long time since I heard that episode.

I found that helpful as I was the same, but now I know it's "normal'

[Chelle88]

Sorry to hear your also struggling. Mine is mainly anxiety but also depression aswell. My doctor has upped the medication which I think they will do again tomorrow. I pray that something works soon because it’s hard to cope. Unfortunately I’ve never identified a trigger I just wake up with it. I think with stress going on in my life it’s probsbly triggered subconsciously. And yes I was born in 88 ☺️