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Darkest before the dawn

hiddengem

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Is it easier to be depressed at night? Is it harder to be optimistic when surrounded by darkness? Or is it because all the distractions of the day can no longer be used as a buffer?
 

keanne32

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For me, it's basically all of the above. I find it easier to sift through my emotions when alone and when it's dark because there are no distractions to hinder whatever mood it is that I'm in. More often than not, I get into these self-pity moods which is identifiable with depression, and I find that it is most pronounced at night. I think it pretty much has to do with the solitude that allows for more inwardly-directed thoughts to be made less ambiguous and therefore easier to take into account.
 

Geoff

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Is it easier to be depressed at night? Is it harder to be optimistic when surrounded by darkness? Or is it because all the distractions of the day can no longer be used as a buffer?

No, I find it easier to be myself in the darkness, precisely because all the distractions of the day are no longer a buffer to the inner me. Fortunately I'm an optimistic soul?
 

disregard

mrs
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The night.. for some.. is the only time when their mind can rest, and their thoughts can creep in.

If you are going through a hard time, or if you are prone to depression, then these thoughts may drag you down.

But if you have an inner peace, then the night is most pleasant.
 

Snowey1210

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Is it easier to be depressed at night? Is it harder to be optimistic when surrounded by darkness? Or is it because all the distractions of the day can no longer be used as a buffer?

Have you heard of the "winter blues"? Studies have found that sunlight is a huge determinent of mood, so there is all possibilty that nighttime could be more likely to promote depression. I'd say it has more to do with our reaction to light than anything else.

Personally, winter does seem to have a bit of an affect upon me because the nights are so long and dark. I wouldn't classify it as depressed though, it's more along the lines of morose. Summer is by far my favourite season of the year, there is definitely something comforting in looking up to a clear blue sky.
 

Colors

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I get more depressed during the winter, but this doesn't apply to nighttime. Nighttime is calm... expansive. The air seems clearer and I feel less alone and oppressed by noise and light.
 
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For me, it's basically all of the above. I find it easier to sift through my emotions when alone and when it's dark because there are no distractions to hinder whatever mood it is that I'm in. More often than not, I get into these self-pity moods which is identifiable with depression, and I find that it is most pronounced at night. I think it pretty much has to do with the solitude that allows for more inwardly-directed thoughts to be made less ambiguous and therefore easier to take into account.

Exactly. I'm more prone to depression at night because my mind is left alone to ponder my troubles.
 

Mole

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Suspicion

On waking I start my day with negative thoughts, often about people.

But then I have coffee and read the newspaper at the Bakery, and I start to think how beautiful the trees look in the sunshine.

And I go for a walk, always of course wearing a hat. And I am likely to meet someone and share a joke and I start to think how good-humoured people are.

And my mood keeps rising all during the day, meal after meal, good humoured exchange after good humoured exchanged until I reach a moment of euphoria at about five in the afternoon, when the whole world seems as warm as the people.

And then I float in my five o'clock euphoria until about eleven and sleep.

Until I wake next morning and look around me with suspicion.
 

sych0

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It's not day/night for me so much as it is sunny/grey. Gloomy days are the absolute worst, and new england is notorious for crappy days. I gotta move to california one day to revel in the sun
 

GZA

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I love night! It's my favourite time of day, I think its the best for everything. I also love winter. And I never feel depressed in the winter or at night. I've heard about the correlation between sunlight intensity and mood, but to my knowledge that only occurs in some people, and I'm clearly not one of them. Our winters here are very sunny during the day though, for what it's worth. I still like somewhat cloudy days most of all anyway, no matter what season.

At night my thoughts open up a lot more, I feel more free to explore ideas and everything. It's just more loose and free, and I love that. I also love going outside at night when there is no one around, no cars or anything. It's like a surrealistic look at the daytime world. I also love winter for this reason; when the ground gets covered in deep snow, or when a blizzard is raging, the world becomes a different place. It's very thought provoking. I feel alive!

I've never understood the association people have with darkness and sadness and whatnot, they seem unrelated to me and always have.
 

sych0

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I've never understood the association people have with darkness and sadness and whatnot, they seem unrelated to me and always have.

Well, there is actually a disorder relating the two. Seasonal Affective Disorder.... or..........SAD. :rolli:

It doesn't mention it in the wiki, but I'd always heard its caused by lack of vitamin D which you get naturally from sunlight
 

Little Linguist

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Have you heard of the "winter blues"? Studies have found that sunlight is a huge determinent of mood, so there is all possibilty that nighttime could be more likely to promote depression. I'd say it has more to do with our reaction to light than anything else.

Personally, winter does seem to have a bit of an affect upon me because the nights are so long and dark. I wouldn't classify it as depressed though, it's more along the lines of morose. Summer is by far my favourite season of the year, there is definitely something comforting in looking up to a clear blue sky.

Good point. I agree.
 

swordpath

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I've never understood the association people have with darkness and sadness and whatnot, they seem unrelated to me and always have.

Very much agree. Same with the rain and overcast weather.

I love all of that stuff, that some people consider gloomy.
 

gokartride

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I had some friends from Poland who had a folk-saying, "Never act on what you think in the night." There is something to that I think...if only to reconsider in the light of day what one's mind constructs in a semi-awake state.
 

Ilah

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I have the same thing to with cloudy days. It is related to SAD. I think in winter it is not so much having less daylight as it is days when you don't experience any natural sunlight. It is dark when you commute to work, dark when you commute home and too cold to walk outside during lunch time.

I do light therapy at home in the winter and when we have several cloudy days in a row. It makes a big difference.

Ilah

It's not day/night for me so much as it is sunny/grey. Gloomy days are the absolute worst, and new england is notorious for crappy days. I gotta move to california one day to revel in the sun
 

gokartride

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I do light therapy at home in the winter
In winter I alter my work schedule so that, when leaving the office for the day, so I can get home (or to my evening activities) while the sun is still shining. Does wonders for me. The leave-in-the-dark, get-home-in-the-dark stuff just ain't right!!!
 

LadyJaye

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I always feel better at night, always have.

I love the evening, but I always been a night owl. However, right before bed, everything that could possibly be bothering me comes racing up to the surface, and I am prone to ruminating. I had to retrain my thoughts, to set aside a time during the day to pour over my issues, otherwise I would be up all night wracking my brain for an answer and then I'm even less able to tackle the situation because I'm also exhausted. :p
 

01011010

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Very much agree. Same with the rain and overcast weather.

I love all of that stuff, that some people consider gloomy.

Me too. It's just much easier to think at night or early morning. I always rise before the sun is up. It's very quiet. People are usually in bed asleep. There aren't many cars out or activity in general. It's so... peaceful.
 

Magic Poriferan

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I haven't noticed gratter depression in the dark, most of the time. The effect of winter does seem to imply that darkness is a little bit more depressing for me. I really love walking around at night though, or I did when I lived in a small town anyway.

Around here, people get shot at night, so no more walking for me. :(
 
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