Why am I always anxious in the morning

[Marks470]

I have nothing to be anxious about yet everyday I wake up and become anxious.  When I first wake up, I'm okay.  Then over the next hour I become extremely anxious. By the end of the day I'm usually okay again.  I'm on 150mg of zoloft and I've tried xanax.  It helps some but I don't like the effect of it long term as well as the addiction potential.  I am seeing a counselor for CBT.  Nothing seems to be helping.  Are there physical rather than mental causes of anxiety that I may be experiencing.  I feel like I am full of adrenaline when it happens for no reason.  This is going to kill me.

[Puppydoo]

I also have been feeling like this every morning but by 6pm at night feel so much better with your words in your post it makes sense and I am starting to feel stronger understanding that the world is not as perfect as we are brought up to believe and that standing up for yourself is the first step to feeling confident with your self ,I would like to speak with other sufferers is any one aware of  chat room for any where we can go to talk?

[Pippa321]

I am anxious all the time too and have been for years and years. It started at age 26. I am now 40. Medications like Zoloft, Paxil, Effexor have never helped me with anxiety. I am not sure they have ever done anything at all. Exercising helps or talking to my closest friend about my deepest fears. When all fails I take a Xanax and it get's rid of the anxiety, Why suffer?
Some of us are more sensitive than others and find coping with life more difficult. Life is scary, there is a lot to be afraid of. Feeling all alone and that you have to do everything for yourself is hard work and stressful. I think most people have anxiety about daily life, how could we not? It's survival out there and a cruel and selfish world, no wonder we are all anxious and afraid.

[titi_nicolas]

Hello Marks470,
your first post was in 2009... How do you feel now?
If you have no more morning anxiety: when did that happen? did you do something special?

I have been having the same issue for the last 9 months and I just can't support it anymore.
It wakes me up every morning between 4 and 5am. So I am also exhausted because I can not slepp more than 6 hours (5 hours on average).
The anxiety drains out all my happiness and energy!  

[Marks470]

Yes, I am on meds, 150mg zoloft and I am seeing a therapist weekly now for about three months.  I can leave my house, but I never know how the day is going to go.  I must go to work.  I have two children in college and one getting close so I can't afford to stay home.  It can make work very challenging though.  When your talking to your boss and out of no where your hands and feet go numb and you start sweating profusly, its hard to explain.

[lonewolf07]

Like you, I also have a lot of anxiety when I wake up and anticipatory anxiety.  It's a horrible way to feel.

I hope this isn't too personal but are you seeing a therapist or taking any meds?  If I feel anxious, I can't even go out of the house.  It's like anxiety has stolen and taken over my existence.  Is that how you feel?

I can honestly say that I understand because it happens to me too but I'm sure others in this forum can give you a lot of advice and support.

[Marks470]

Thanks, I don't remember any bad things happening at that time of day.  I will try your suggestions.  It makes sense since all of our issues come from our thoughts.  If I can redirect those thoughts or worries, it may help.  

[claudicakes]

Do you have bad past memories that usually take place during that time of the day...Your brain could have photographed that bad memory to your subconscious that makes you anxious bc something you dread is coming up without realizing it your body thinks something bad will happen and gets defensive ( anxious)
Change that bad memory to a good one, or just deal with it then and there by saying what i say to myself
"oh look at that, the fire alarm is going off and once again there's no fire" its a good laugh, go thru ur day

[Marks470]

Sorry Lonewolf.  I did see your response and appreciated it, as I do this resonse. I did not mean to appear as if I had ignored your response.  I posted the second question in the middle of terrible morning anxiety.  I was (and still am) pretty desperate while writing that post.  I feel like there are almost two issues, anticipatory anxiety that can occur at any time, and morning anxiety that happens every morning when I wake up.  

[Julie359]

I've been told by my doc that in the morning the serotoin levels in the brain are at their lowest, which is the hormone that is connected to mood and emotion.  Hence why when we are anxious or depressed the doc's give us SSRI drugs.  This is one reason why you proberly feel at your worst first thing, also you may be worried by what the day holds for you and so this plays a part.  

Also try and make sure you have a good hearty breakfast cause low blood sugar can cause you to feel anxious as well, try Porridge, Oats are a natural relaxant cause they raise the level of serotoin in the brain naturally and release energy slowly over a number of hours.... trust me, after a belly full of oats you will feel a difference.... even if it is only a small one.

Hope this has been of help.  Take care xxx

[abby10]

Some people get morning cortisol rushes.

abby

[lonewolf07]

I sent you a response to your earlier posting and either you didn't see it or you chose to ignored it.  If you want to look at postings from the end of July to the present time, please do; if not, I hope you find someone who can take care of your "needs", whatever they might be.  I wrote the comment in good faith.  If you don't want to read it - fine.  Hopefully, you will find someone who can give you advice and support.

[fltricia]

I've been going through this the last week as well.  I'm sleeping ok, but when I wake up and start to move around the anxiety symptoms are there (stomach churning, tingly arms, adrenaline feeling).  I just bought some rescue remedy spray and it seems to help.  I just started it so I hope it doesn't wear off over time.

If you are not having any outside triggers of your anxiety then you may want to talk to your doc about Klonopin temporarily.  I have taken it in the past at night and it helps with morning anxiety since it seems to still be in your system.  

Does work stress you out?  You could be having a psycho somatic reaction to having to go to work if it is a stressor.