When does your depression peak?
Hiya Everyone,
Depression is a constant thing but when would you say it becomes the toughest for you?
I'd say from around 6pm onwards my depression ups by around 20%.
What about you?
Lauren xx
Well, on a daily basis, my depression usually peaks during late afternoon into early evening. On a yearly basis, it starts around Thanksgiving and then is at it's worst from December through February. I think that's due to the shorter days of winter. I really do depend on sunshine to help my mood. It's a good thing I don't live farther north. 
However, the exact severity would depend on other stressors (relationships, finances, work stress, health, etc.).
All of that being said, last year and this year seem to have a different pattern. The depression hasn't gotten as bad and hasn't lasted as long. I attribute that to the fact that I've retired from a very stressful job which contributed greatly to the depression. In fact, I still have nightmares about having to work there. 
@BridgetAileen
Ah okay, I see! So due to shorter days and the weather, your depression gets worse accordingly. Thank you for sharing! Having a stressful job isn't very healthy for our mind; I'm glad to hear you've retired now. 
*huggles*
Stay strong lovely! 
Mid November until the sun shines regularly in March. It is the worst around the holidays.
@ArcherLeaderoftheGorgonites
Okay, so maybe the holidays makes your depression worse because you're constantly surrounded by people and want to be alone? I understand that the weather really can affect our mood too. Thank you for sharing. Stay strong lovely!
@blossombreathe Yes. It seems to get worse at night.
@Mellietronx
Ah okay, maybe it gets worse at night because your mind is left to wander off and isn't focused on anything? I'm proud of you for staying strong through tough times, keep it up. We're all here for you lovely!
@blossombreathe Thank you :)
Mine would peak around the afternoon I'd say....around 2 and 3 pm. I think it's because that's the time when the day sort of lulls and everything slows down. Everything seems sort of stagnant, and evening is getting closer and closer, and for some reason this gives me a bit of anxiety. Sort of like I'm running out of time and I have to hurry whatever it may be that I'm doing, that the day is already ending. I don't know if that makes any sense.
@Wumbo, yes, that makes sense. Mine peaks in the afternoon to early evening. It's like things have been building and building, and then all of a sudden you realize that it's too much. Not enough time. Then I feel more and more behind.
On another note, I your little dancing fox! Just watching him makes me happy. 
@BridgetAileen
I get what you mean by "it's like things have been building and building, and then all of a sudden you realize it's too much" that's what my anxiety feels like.
Yay! I'm happy the fox brought some smiles 
@Wumbo
Around the afternoon, I can completely relate to you feeling like everything slowing down. It makes sense, yes! You're running out of time and have to hurry, then before you even realise, it's the end of the day.
*huggles*
Stay strong, I believe in you!
@blossombreathe
Aw, that's very kind of you. Thank you!
(hugs)
That's a good question! I guess, it depends on the severity of my episodes, but let's focus on a moderate one.
7-10 am is a tough time to wake up for me when I don't see any purpose to do so. And I'd say I have the least mental energy to tackle challenges of the day, so slow, distressful mornings are the key here. Around 6pm my brain is going into the "shutdown mode" - it slows down to save the little energy I have left for today. I literally do not talk or move and my mood plummets and numbness occurs. What is strange it often disappears around 11 pm, so I'm active again in the night. That of couse means insomnia and over-analyzing... Talk about mood disorder ^^
@Celaeno
Ah okay, in the morning you find it hard to wake up and not seeing a purpose to is a very tough thought to deal with. I can relate to the way you explain "shutdown mode" My mood plummets at around 6ish and continues through the night.
You're so strong for getting through these emotions, keep being awesome!
We're all here for you. ^-^
@blossombreathe, thanks, lovely! Even though I'm not experiencing depressive episodes since over a year now - only sometimes some of the depressive symptoms - I really apprecciate your support. You're kind and loving and I'm happy tho participate in the community discussions you've been starting.
All of love!
It becomes toughest in night or if I'm alone and not doing anything, if I don't keep myself distracted with games or music then depression surronds and I end up crying
@Chiyo
Same here, night time is the hardest for me. Distracting yourself is very important! I'd also like to suggest talking back to negative thoughts with something positive. It is pretty difficult but helps a lot.
Stay strong lovely!
@blossombreathe mines usually middle of the night or when I come home from a night out
@imaginativeZebra6545
Ah, okay! I can see that many people find that their depression worsens at night time, maybe that is because everything stops and you've got nothing else on your mind? I'm proud of you for being so strong, keep it up.
*hugs*
We're all here for you on 7Cups.
Mine is always triggered by something and once it happens I'm down for months. It can be in the middle of summer and it can be because of the weirdest and most simple things. Mostly it's caused by certain smells that can trigger a memory or a random stranger can look too close to the way she looks, which seems a little ridiculous since I often look for her in everyone. I have bipolar disorder and when I'm happy, oh God I'm happy. But when I'm sad, I'm really really down there. It's usually the worst in winter but this past summer wasn't too fun. I also think it can be a little bit of PTSD that triggers my extreme emotions. But yeah, that's some of what it's like for me.
@plantgiant
Ah okay, so I can understand that your depression comes in episodes due to your PTSD and bipolar disorder. I'm so sorry to hear that you experience this, stay strong lovely!! Thank you for sharing, depression sucks but I believe you can get through it. You aren't alone! Depression can be triggered by the weirdest things but I'm proud of you for working through it.
*huggles*
Late nights are usually when it's worse, but therew are someincidents where it gets bad enough to where I randomly cet all day and I don't know why exacrly and I just don't want to do anything or talk to anyone, but those periods of times are my biggest peaks but it only becomes that bad every few months yet it's very random.
@km13
Ah okay, so late at night is when you're depression seems to increase? I can sometimes feel like I want to shut everyone out, I know I shouldn't but I really want to. That's a sign that you need to have a break.. ^-^ I hope you're okay, stay strong lovely!!
Most on Sundays night, and increase if I drink a lot the weekend
@Xambran
Ah okay! Sunday nights are pretty tough for me too. I'd suggest talking it out with someone or trying some self-care techniques! I hope you have a lovely day today!
