Major anxiety in the mornings as soon as I wake up.

[angielee]

Recently I have had morning anxiety, where as soon as I wake up I feel the adrenaline rush. Sometimes I am able to  calm myself down, but other times it turns into panic, and other times I keep a mild anxiety until I am able to get out and distract my mid. Anyone else  experience this and what can I do to curb this any suggestions? 
Seems like the only thing  to  get out of it  is too  leave my house and find somewhere to go to distract my mind.

[Brody108]

I experienced this everyday for a few weeks...soon as I wake up I look for a symptom and may even become depressed. I just do a lot of self talk to get myself to snap out of it.

[greenzebra]

I know exactly what you're going through. When I first started having bad anxiety this would happen, but I had no idea what it was. Now that I know it's anxiety I can just kind of tell myself that I'm being silly and to calm down. : ) I hope you feel better!

[jamie177]

I've been having the same issue for 3 weeks since my first panic attack, I wake up terrified, but if its my thoughts that are creating the anxiety, how can this be? I barely open my eyes I haven't even had time to think and I'm already in panic?

[Twinhere]

Same thing has been happening to me. I used to have like 1 hr after waking, but now its right when i wakeup and last all day.

[BeeDot]

I most certainly know what you're going through.  This doesn't always happen to me, when usually when my anxiety is really bad, it is there to greet me in the morning.  I have a few ideas for you.

You might try keeping a journal and pen near your bed.  When you wake up in the morning and feel anxious, just write down at least three things that you are grateful for/happy about.  This can help set the tone for a more positive day.  You can also write down some positive affirmations to say to yourself in the mirror in the morning.  These things sound cheesy and right out of a self help book, but I do them both.  It's all about creating new pathways in our brains--happy ones!

Another idea is to try to think about things that you are going to do that day.  Not like take out the trash and go grocery shopping, but what can you do FOR other people.  Maybe your friend's birthday is coming up, think about what kind of cake you can bake them or something nice to write in their card.  Maybe try to open doors for as many people as you can that day, or perhaps go out of your way to compliment one of your coworkers.  it helps to take the focus off yourself and instead think about others.

One more idea is to keep a book, computer, phone, or crossword by your bed.  If you wake up with anxiety, start doing something else to take your mind off things until you feel ready to get out of bed. 

I think that morning anxiety comes from our anticipating that its going to be there.  Try not to search for your anxiety in the morning.  If it's there, it's there, but if you have a brief moment of feeling good, don't go looking for those bad feelings!

I wish you all the best and hope this was at least a little bit helpful.

Cheers,
Sarah

[middlenamehypochondria]

I know just how you feel.  About five years ago I wasn't happy in my life and it manifested itself as anxiety.  I found things to worry about just so I didn't think about what was happening in my own life (unloving, lazy boyfriend, job below my capability with horrible hours, no extra cash, hardly any good girlfriends) I started seeing a therapist and when finally I was able realize what just was happening I started changing it.  Finally, I ended the relationship, got a new job, moved and found some great friends.  It was a year and a half process.  Once this happened I woke up literally feeling like a new person, no more heavy weight on my shoulders and trusty me it felt like a heavy weight each morning.  It isn't the same for everyone but that is my personal experience.  Best of luck to you.

[LindaRK]

I've gone through periods of waking up with intense anxiety over my "anxiety career".

Morning anxiety is probably the most common time for anxiety sufferers.

Sometimes it can be caused by a fluctuation in your cortisol level.  There have been studies that show cortisol can increase 2 or 3 times the normal amount upon awakening.  Then, over the course of the day, it slowly decreases.  For alot of us, that could be why once we take the initiative to get up and start moving, the anxiety dissipates somewhat.

Could be caused by hypoglycemia (not too common) or cognitive factors such as your expectation of any anticipated events (more than likely if you've been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder).

Treatments for morning anxiety can include addressing underlying anxiety disorders, eating complex carbohydrates shortly after awakening, waking up slowly and gently and practicing relaxation, yoga or meditation shortly after awakening.  Someone above said to think of 3 things you are grateful for.  I do that every day, but 10 things.

[MB1702]

This has been happening to me for months. My nautropath doc seems to think it is my Cortisol levels being too high naturally (like the other person said, everyone produces the most cortisol during the night....so if you have an overactive adrenil glad....it produces too much. Cortisol is one of the main nurotransmitters in your body which gets produced when you are stressed....it puts your body into flight or fight mode.

think about it this way. When i wake up like that I tell myself it is just something physical in my body that I dont have total control over...just like a bad limp from a broken leg. This has helped me realize "nothing is wrong" to cause that anxiety feeling. it is just mechanical in your body. hope this helps.