Is depression amplified at night?

[OrdinaryGentleman]

In my experience yes

In my experience no

[lePoivre]

I wouldn't say it amplifies depression, but I feel more able to embrace it at night. During the day you have to wear your day face, the face you use to pretend that you're okay, and during the day, you can distract yourself with other things. At night, though, you don't have to wear that mask and there's less to distract you. I cried myself to sleep every night for a year because it was the only time I wasn't trying to put on a facade for anyone and laying alone in bed with my thoughts made them the center of my attention. So no, night doesn't inherently amplify anything, but it enables you to pay more attention to it.

[teawrecks]

Sure as hell seems like it. I went through a bout of pretty bad depression in December... and I, someone who LOVES the night, dreaded nightfall. I tried to sleep as soon as I could for as long as I could so it was light out when I went to bed and when I woke up.

The darkness just seemed to amplify the emotions I was feeling.

[TripleAce]

It can be, the weight from the difficulties during the day will build up and generally catch up during the end of the day. Mornings can be bad too if you have lack of energy to get the day started.

[Bobba_Fett]

No, you're just usually alone with your own thoughts at night, so it just seems that way.

Whatever you do don't start drinking.

[OrdinaryGentleman]

Why shouldn't someone start drinking?

[earthlingkierstyn]

It's not a good way to handle your pain. Alcohol is a depressor

[Bobba_Fett]

Alcohol is a depressant, it will enhance your depression in ways you may find it hard to imagine. Further, depressives (like me) also use intoxicants as an escape. Some call it self medication, and like most drugs its a very short term solution to a very long term problem with consequences that far out weigh the benefits.

[Anonymous]

Depends really. For some it's worse in the day seeing everybody go about their business while you're trying to go through the motions and act normal and being reminded how not normal you are, just waiting to have your time alone at night.
For others, going through the motions during the day, having people buzzing around you and pretending to be normal helps then at night when you're alone you're unable to pretend anymore and all the sadness comes to the surface.

[Possible_Mate]

yeah i find it's always worse at night, and it makes it really hard to fall asleep. i got a dog, who i let up on the bed to sleep with me and it really helped to have her there. i find i fall asleep much easier when she is with me.

[KDA20]

It sure does, I believe that is where the expression "The Darkest Hour Is Before The Dawn" came from talking about how lonely it can be during the night.

[Jadekitten]

For me it is. I guess its because you have a lot of quiet time to think and not a ton of distractions and then all the emptiness and/or sadness is amplified without those distractions.

[earthlingkierstyn]

I think it can because night time is when it gets quiet and dark outside. Especially if it's winter when the nights get longer and colder. It could tie in with Seasonal Affective Disorder

[OrdinaryGentleman]

hmm thats true

[MissNowhere]

Guess so. That's when all the feels truly come out.

[Prof_Don]

I say yes, the lack of sunlight dampers the mood (this is a biological fact).

[Xelebrum]

Very much so.

[OrdinaryGentleman]

Sup dude long time no chat:)

[Xelebrum]

Oh damn, I could've sworn I replied to this post lol how've you been man?

[OrdinaryGentleman]

Yeah thats happened to me quite a lot, been good just chillin until vacation is up. Anything new?

[Xelebrum]

I've been applying for school so I could start in the fall, and I'm finally gonna get my driver's license this month :) How's your break going?

[OrdinaryGentleman]

Nice dude! I gotta get my motorcycle license this year at some point again. University or college?

[Xelebrum]

https://i.imgur.com/VSPjhKt.gif
Found your license. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

And college, I'm gonna do my Associate's at a community college (actually it's a full college now, but for years it was a community college) and then transfer to the University of Central Florida.

[apple24]

It sure feels like it!