Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
I have been having a sleeping problem for the past year or so (maybe longer) and wanted to see if anyone else can relate. I fall asleep just fine...in fact, I usually fall asleep within 10-15 minutes of laying down, unless I am feeling extreme anxiety over something.
However, I have a problem staying asleep. I often wake up between 3 and 5 AM and feel very anxious and wide awake. I can sometimes fall back asleep, but if I wake closer to 5AM, I usually do not. Now, I need to be up relatively early to get to school. But even on days I set my alarm for 6 or so, I will still wake up at 5 and be unable to get back to sleep. And this happens even if I've gotten only 6-7 hours of sleep. I know this amount might be okay for some, but I have always felt as if I needed closer to 8 hours, but I can never get it because I wake up so early.
I took a sleep psychology course last semester, and we learned that early morning awakenings are common in two populations, one being the elderly, and the second being clinically depressed. I am uncertain whether or not I am considered clinically depressed. I see a counselor for anxiety, OCD, and an eating disorder, and I feel a constant emptiness and sadness inside, but as far as I know, have never been formally diagnosed.
I guess I was just wondering if anyone else has issues with waking up too early. I wouldn't mind it so much, as I have always been an early riser, but I end up feeling exhausted by 3PM. Can anyone relate?
Thanks so much for reading.
However, I have a problem staying asleep. I often wake up between 3 and 5 AM and feel very anxious and wide awake. I can sometimes fall back asleep, but if I wake closer to 5AM, I usually do not. Now, I need to be up relatively early to get to school. But even on days I set my alarm for 6 or so, I will still wake up at 5 and be unable to get back to sleep. And this happens even if I've gotten only 6-7 hours of sleep. I know this amount might be okay for some, but I have always felt as if I needed closer to 8 hours, but I can never get it because I wake up so early.
I took a sleep psychology course last semester, and we learned that early morning awakenings are common in two populations, one being the elderly, and the second being clinically depressed. I am uncertain whether or not I am considered clinically depressed. I see a counselor for anxiety, OCD, and an eating disorder, and I feel a constant emptiness and sadness inside, but as far as I know, have never been formally diagnosed.
I guess I was just wondering if anyone else has issues with waking up too early. I wouldn't mind it so much, as I have always been an early riser, but I end up feeling exhausted by 3PM. Can anyone relate?
Thanks so much for reading.
But I tend to wake up early. If it is 2:00 am I can usually go back to sleep, but if I wake up at 4:00 or so, I seem to be unable to go back to sleep for that last hour or so.
Then I really drag long about 3 in the afternoon.
Not sure how to resolve this, so I just live with it.
I've tried some sleep aids, but I often feel like I had unproductive sleep. Sorry, that is the best way I can describe it.
I don't know what to tell you about the waking, other than to ask your psych what they suggest?
I think you're on the right track in suspecting that it may be depression 'triggered' by the other issues (as mine was). The only thing I can think of to try would be melatonin, which is a natural sleep aid. Take it about a 1/2 hour before you want to sleep and turn down the lights (that lets you body produce its own melatonin). I'm not doctor, that's just what I've tried and it works for me...I can't take regular sleeping pills and the melatonin doesn't make you feel druggy, just naturally sleepy.
Sorry for the babble lol...wishing you peace (and good sleep!)
Summerwind81, thanks for the suggestion about the melatonin. I have used it before in the past, and it seems to help.
Thanks again for all your replies. I hope you all find peace (and good sleep, too!) Take care.
My own bouts of genuine insomnia bother me, but I think now that middle-of-night or early morning awakenings have always been common. I've found that after such a night, it helps not to overdo the caffeine. A gallon of coffee makes me feel worse.