Is Low Morning Mood a Thing?

If you start the day feeling sad or anxious, or have very low energy and find it hard to get out of bed – and you feel this way for two weeks or more – you may have morning depression.

Depression can hit different people at different times of the day; it is rarely a steady state all day long.

Morning depression, also called diurnal mood variation, is not a separate condition to depression, but it is considered a hallmark symptom of clinical depression.


When you have a tough day ahead, or you are feeling tired from lack of sleep, it is natural to feel a bit down about the day ahead.

Morning depression is different. It tends to occur even when there is no obvious reason for feeling down, and no reason for the ups and downs of mood throughout the day.

“People who are depressed may feel there is no clear reason for the mood changes they experience at certain times of the day. Unlike people who do not have depression, they may feel that they are unable to control the changes,” explains Nancy Schimelpfening from the depression support group, Depression Sanctuary.


What are the symptoms?

Schimelpfening says people who have depression with diurnal mood variation have a low mood and feel that their depression symptoms are at their worst in the morning, but they seem to get better throughout the day.

They are likely to feel the classic depression symptoms of profound sadness and low mood, as well as feeling:

  • irritable or easily frustrated
  • extremely tired and lethargic upon waking,
  • difficulty completing daily tasks
  • little or no enthusiasm or interest in the day ahead (even if pleasurable activities are planned)
  • it is hard to wake up or getting out of bed.


What causes morning depression?

Morning depression has similar triggers to clinical depression, which is caused by a complex mix of physiological, mental and emotional stressors.

Psychologist Dr Sarah Gundle says this type of depression can also be linked with your sleep and circadian rhythms.

“Your body’s natural clock, called the circadian rhythm, regulates everything from heart rate to body temperature. It also affects energy, thinking, alertness, and mood.”

Dr Gundle also points out that stress can play a direct role in depression. “Too much cortisol can be linked to anxiety and depression,” she explains.

“Normally, cortisol levels spike in the mornings, leaving some people feeling more down. However, when your sleep schedule is off, these hormones will either be irregularly produced or create an imbalance causing morning depression.”


What to do about it

If you have noticed these symptoms, the first step is to rule out other issues which could be causing your symptoms, such as sleep deficiency, iron deficiency or stress and exhaustion.

Make an appointment with your doctor to talk about your symptoms.

After ruling out other issues, they may suggest a range of treatments such as seeing a psychologist or therapist, medication, meditation, exercise, or changing your eating and drinking habits.

Light therapy, also called phototherapy, might also help.