Why do I Feel Depressed Only at Night?

September 21, 2019

Dr. Srikanth Reddy

#Best Psychiatrist in Indore

#Best Psychologist and De-Addiction Specialist in Indore

As one of the most general mood disorders, major depression can develop in anyone, at any age, at any time. However, for some people, symptoms of depression may be worse at night, leading to complexity in getting to sleep, anxiety, and feelings of isolation and hopelessness. Some people may have depression in the morning, which is called diurnal mood variation.

Symptoms

Major depression cause severe symptoms that interfere with your mood and activities of daily living. If you’ve experienced a number of these symptoms for the majority of the day, almost every day, for the past two weeks or more, and they aren’t getting better, you should see your doctor.

Symptoms of depression include:

• Feeling hopeless
• Crying
• Restlessness
• Feeling isolated or lonely
• Weight loss or gain
• Losing interest and/or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed
• Lack of energy
• Sleep issues, such as sleeping more than usual or complexity getting to sleep or staying asleep
• Eating more or less than you usually do
• Irritability
• Feeling sad and/or anxious

Causes

Rumination

People, particularly people with depression, often go through a process called rumination in which they repeatedly mull over past events and issues that concern them, trying to make sense of them or imagine them having a different outcome.

Light at Night

There have been numerous studies on the link between exposure to light at night and depression. One study showed a correlation between low-level bedroom light exposure during sleep and developing depression symptoms in elderly adults, though light exposure was more than likely not the only reason.

Circadian Rhythm Disruption

Multiple studies have shown that when your circadian rhythm, or internal sleep clock, is disrupted, your risk of developing depression or worsening symptoms is higher. Circadian rhythm disruption can happen as the result of a whole host of factors from jet lag to working the night shift to enlarged light exposure at night.