When Happiness is Hard: The Facts About Summertime Depression
| 2 min read
The song goes “Summertime and the living is easy.” But for some, that’s not always the case.
After a long winter, it’s likely you’ve heard of – or possibly even experienced – SAD (seasonal affective disorder), which causes depression as the days get shorter and colder. But what you may not know is that about 10 percent of people with SAD get it in reverse, where the onset of summer triggers their depression symptoms.
While Summer SAD only affects less than one percent of the U.S., it’s a serious disease that many people are unaware of.
For Winter SAD, it’s easier to see how colder weather and darker days can trigger depression. But for Summer SAD, the causes are not as clear. Some believe that changes in melatonin production is to be blamed for the sudden mood change.
What are the symptoms?
People with Summer SAD often suffer from symptoms that are actually the opposite of those associated with Winter SAD. During the cold months, SAD sufferers tend to sleep more, gain weight and keep themselves socially hibernated. But during the summer months, those who experience SAD are extremely irritated and agitated, resulting in lack of sleep and weight loss.
Suffering from Summer SAD?
Suffering from Summer SAD?
If you believe you suffer from Summer SAD and see the above symptoms every year around the same time, you should consult your doctor for treatment options. There are also several lifestyle changes that can help make the warmer months more bearable, such as eating more fruits and veggies, adding indoor exercise to your daily routine to boost endorphins and, when possible, sticking to air-conditioned environments.
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Photo credit: martin-dm
