Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder Is Real (and Here’s How to Deal With It)
Depression is associated with harsh weather, but melancholy is not always associated with the cold season. In fact, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects more than just winter ; it can still grow in warm and sunny weather, and in the summer months it can hit some people even harder .
What is seasonal affective disorder?
SAD is a depression caused by the changing seasons, usually occurring in late fall or early winter. Most of the time, depression goes away when it gets warmer and the sun comes out more often. According to the Mayo Clinic , hard work usually “starts out light and gets worse as the season progresses.”
The Mayo Clinic lists some of the more common symptoms:
- Feeling depressed most of the day, almost every day
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Low energy
- Sleep problems
- Changes in appetite or weight;
- Feeling lethargic or excited
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt
- Frequent thoughts of death or suicide
Researchers aren’t sure what causes the condition, but there is evidence that people with the condition have low levels of serotonin, a chemical that stabilizes your mood . According to the National Institute of Mental Health , there is additional research showing that people with SAD may produce too much melatonin, a chemical that is critical for sleep. As the NIMH notes, SAD is not a specific type of depression, but rather a subset of major depression that is catalyzed by seasonal stimuli.
There are symptoms that remain true regardless of the seasonal variation, but some symptoms are more common in summer or winter. NIMH lists these symptoms, which are more common in winter:
- Excessive sleep (hypersomnia)
- Overeating, especially carbohydrate cravings.
- Weight gain
- Social isolation (feeling like “hibernating”)
And summer:
- Sleep problems (insomnia)
- Poor appetite leading to weight loss
- Anxiety and excitement
- Anxiety
- Episodes of aggressive behavior
Summer GARDEN is much less common than its winter counterpart. Just about 1% of the U.S. population experiences summer or spring SAD symptoms, according to Time by Dr. Norman Rosenthal, an SAD expert and clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine .
Among certain demographic groups affected by the condition, women tend to be more likely to be diagnosed with SAD, although this is not new to men either. According to the Cleveland Clinic , about 5% of the adult population suffers from this condition .
How is Summer SAD different?
Ironically, this condition can occur from too much sunlight, which Time notes can disrupt certain biological functions, such as melatonin production. Excessive heat and sunlight can also scare some people away and contribute to poor mood.
Social anxiety can also be a co-factor, such as when a group of people are having fun and you have an excruciating sense of FOMO.
How do you feel about summer ATS?
In the event of SAD involvement in the hotter months, many instruments include refrigeration, rest, and avoidance of excessive light. Keeping cool is important and can be a great option in a dark room with strong air conditioning. Just as people with winter SAD are often treated with light therapy, the treatment is the opposite.
There are also, of course, options such as therapy and medications that can be included in your treatment plan. When it comes to getting through your difficult months, adopting the right treatment for you will be critical.