Even while you're asleep, your subconscious is still dealing with the 'new' reality in your life. When you awaken, it's akin to having your head slammed into a brick wall. What you were hoping was caused by a bad dream, is actually real, and something you never thought you'd have to deal with. If there was calm and serenity and security in your life before (imagined or real), you no longer have those same advantages.
Your world may not even smell, look, sound or taste like it use to before the bomb. Let alone FEEL normal.
The only thing I can add is that we've all been there .... and after a good deal of time, it does let up. You're always going to have that shock of cold water splashing in your face 'feeling' when you've come out of a deep sleep, until you're fully awake and have your bearings again. As you said, as the day goes on, things are not as brutal as first thing in the morning.
Women are angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly...on a broomstick. We are flexible
