Waking too early in the morning
Waking earlier than desired or intended without being able to return to sleep, typically more than 30 minutes before the planned wake time. A classic feature of depression and a common component of insomnia disorder.
Quick answer
Early morning waking (ICD-10: G47.00; ICD-11: 7A00) is a classic feature of melancholic depression and also arises in insomnia disorder and sleep apnoea. CBT-I has strong evidence. Depression-driven early waking requires targeted antidepressant or psychological treatment. Alcohol disrupts second-half-of-night sleep.
Recognition
Do any of these feel familiar?
Waking at 3–5am without being able to return to sleep
Feeling alert and unable to quieten the mind despite tiredness
Accumulation of fatigue over successive nights of early waking
Morning mood that is often lower than later in the day
A sense of dread or rumination during early morning waking
What is Waking too early in the morning?
Waking earlier than desired or intended without being able to return to sleep, typically more than 30 minutes before the planned wake time. A classic feature of depression and a common component of insomnia disorder.
Approaches Commonly Explored
Commonly explored for conditions related to Waking too early in the morning, grouped by mechanism — select your subtype above to highlight the most relevant path.
How to use these approaches
Most people begin with Stabilise approaches, then progress toward Resolve and Sustain.
Autonomic nervous system — sympathetic / parasympathetic balance.
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