As the name implies, morning depression (scientifically known as "diurnal mood variation with early morning worsening") is not just a passing emotion; it is a major mood disorder that shows up mostly in the early morning hours of the day. 

Do not take morning depression lightly. It is more than just a common form of low energy or sadness that affects many individuals, sometimes for a prolonged period of time. Morning depression is not what anyone might call a condition with normal variation in intensity from the so-called "Monday-morning blues" to a not-so-sunny day in the middle of the work week (what one might also call a form of mood or work week slump). This is serious. Should one seek help if morning depression is overwhelming a person?

If morning depression symptoms last longer, it can be a sign of major depressive disorder that needs immediate treatment. And if the state lasts beyond two weeks, then the person may be dealing with bipolar disorder or some other mental illness.

Bipolar disorder is known to cause not just a fluctuation of mood, but also a typical pattern of depressive and manic episodes. If you consistently experience a depressed mood upon waking up, and are extremely energetic soon after. That means morning depression may not be alone, but rather an alarm that rings for a miserable condition. 

How to not be depressed?

No matter when your depression appears, you must understand that it is a severe disorder that calls for immediate care. You might be "stuck in morning depression," where the chemistry of your brain seems to be working against you in the morning. Consequently, with the right combination of treatment options, you can find relief and reclaim your refreshing mornings. The depression treatment options are:

Medication: 

Medication, such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, as well as antipsychotics, can help treat morning depression. Each medication works differently for different people. For instance:

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, etc., help balance brain chemicals.
• Selective Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) such as venlafaxine (which increases the release of mood-enhancing chemicals, like norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain), duloxetine (which helps to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder), etc.
• In treatment-resistant cases, depression doctors consider giving atypical antipsychotics (which are used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder).

Furthermore, finding the optimal medication and dose may necessitate a few trials and time. This is because what works for one person may not work for another. Be patient. It takes time for medication to work. 

Again, keep in mind that we're talking general information and not medical recommendations. The type of medicine and dosage vary according to the individual's condition. For any acute or severe situation, it is recommended to consult with a depression doctor.

Psychotherapy: 

Tailoring psychotherapy and medications to the individual's needs has shown significant positive outcomes. Among the types of talk therapy that are helpful for morning depression are the following:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps patients change negative thought patterns that contribute to depression. Also, experts state CBT promotes neuroplasticity, which could mitigate depression by modifying brain chemistry. 
• Interpersonal therapy helps patients with relationship problems that might be causing or worsening depression.
• Humanistic therapy helps patients deal with underlying issues that might be causing or contributing to their depressive state. These could include grief, financial stress, substance abuse disorders, or other types of issues.

Light Therapy: 

Also called phototherapy, light therapy is often used for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and it may also assist individuals with morning depression. This type of therapy requires that one be exposed to a light therapy box that is designed to simulate natural sunlight in order to produce a mood-enhancing effect.

Lifestyle Adjustments: Supporting Your Treatment

Even modest changes can affect significant progress. These changes are: 

• Moving the body (in the form of a workout) releases endorphins, which makes humans feel good. 
• Eating a balanced diet.

Additionally, these basic changes can help enhance the efficiency of morning depression treatment. 

Stress Management:

It's not just extremely important for morning depression treatment; it's vital. Stress relief techniques, such as meditation, breathing exercises, or yoga, help to concentrate on the present and rebuild emotional resilience.

Sleep Hygiene:

Make a pattern that helps and reassures you during the night. It's like you wrap yourself in a comforting, warm blanket of routine every night. For example:

• Start a sleep ritual (perhaps taking a hot shower, reading a book, meditating, or drinking herbal tea), allowing you to fall asleep quickly and feel refreshed the next day.
• No screens before bedtime (these are mostly everyone's culprits that steal away your sleep).
• Make your bedroom a tranquil place (basically without the hindrance of noise issues or street lighting).

Focusing on sleep hygiene can go a long way toward ensuring individuals wake up feeling mentally recharged and prepared to deal with the morning blues.

Is depression a neurological disorder?

Morning depression impacts brain biochemistry in sensitive morning hours. A neuropsychiatrist, who combines both neurology and psychiatry along with the experience of experts in both disciplines, examines the structural elements of the brain, imbalances, and any genetic factors contributing to the problem of the patient. Medication treatment involves SSRIs, SNRIs, cognitive therapy, phototherapy, and lifestyle alterations. 

Wake Up with Joy​

We hear things like, morning depression is just "being a night owl," "you need to sleep," or even "you are just weak." These misconceptions have caused a lot of harm to people who struggle with this every morning, like this, daily. 

However, here’s the important truth: The whole morning, depression throws a shadow of insecurity and stress on every part of our lives. The condition is felt from the second of wake-up time to the time of going to bed, and thus it becomes a significant burden to work, relations, and one's health. Remember that you are not alone in this. You are not the only one waking up to this weight. You are not the only one who feels shadows creeping into your day. And having morning depression doesn’t mean you're too lazy, damaged, or lacking in strength. It means you're human and grappling with the less-understood parts of your emotional makeup. 

Take a moment to pause. Try to perform small activities (e.g., watering your plants, a morning walk with your pet, a hot cup of tea, a moment spent stretching, or just stepping outside to soak up the sunlight) that can change your energy. Connect with loved ones or friends, or consult with a doctor specializing in depression about your emotions regarding morning depression. 

Morning depression is treatable with the right intervention. Most notably, morning depression, if left untreated, can develop or worsen into more severe clinical depression and contribute to complicated issues, such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, etc. Connecting with an online psychiatrist is a great option for stress-free and easily accessible assessments, and it also provides a personalized treatment plan that addresses both the neurological and psychological issues caused by mild depression.

So, pause to recognize your emotions. It's understandable to feel confused or inundated. However, don't allow those sensations to consume you. You are not the heaviness of your unhappiness; you are the bravery to confront it. You are not the commands that tell you to run away; you are the essence that seeks the peak. 

Thus, on your hard mornings, be gentle with yourself. Permit yourself to feel and to breathe, and to exist without any judgment. Inhale deeply. The first light of a new day awaits you.