Depression is related to bleak weather, but melancholy is not always related to the colder times of the year. Indeed, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) does not only strike in winter; it can still rear up in warm and sunny weather – and it can hit some people even harder in the summer months.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
SAD is depression caused by the change of seasons and typically occurs in late autumn or early winter. In most cases, the depression subsides as the weather warms up and the sun shines more often. According to the Mayo Clinic, the drudgery will usually “start out mild and get heavier as the season progresses.”
The Mayo Clinic lists some of the more common symptoms:
- Feel depressed most of the day, almost every day
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Have little energy
- Have trouble sleeping
- Notice changes in your appetite or weight
- Feeling sluggish or agitated
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty
- Frequent thoughts of death or suicide
Researchers aren’t sure what is causing the condition, but there is some evidence that those with the condition have decreased levels of serotonin – a Chemical that stabilizes your mood. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there is additional research suggesting that people with SAD may make too much melatonin – a chemical that is critical to sleep. As the NIMH notes, SAD is not a specific type of depression, but rather a subgroup of major depression that is catalyzed by seasonal stimuli.
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There are symptoms that stay true regardless of the seasonal variation, but some symptoms are more common in summer or winter. The NIMH lists these symptoms that are more common in winter:
- Overslept (hypersomnia)
- Overeating, especially those with cravings for carbohydrates
- Weight gain
- Social withdrawal (feeling like “hibernation”)
And summer:
- Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- Loss of appetite leading to weight loss
- Restlessness and excitement
- anxiety
- Episodes of Violent Behavior
SAD in summer is much rarer than its winter counterpart. Only about 1% of the US population will experience SAD symptoms during the summer or spring, according to Dr. Norman Rosenthal, a SAD expert and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine, told time.
Regarding certain demographics affected by the condition, women are usually more likely to be diagnosed with SAD, although men are no strangers either. All in all, around 5% of the adult population suffers from the condition, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
What is different about the summer SAD?
Ironically, the condition can occur due to too much sunlight, which, as time notes, can disrupt certain biological functions, such as the production of melatonin. Excessive heat and sun exposure can also put some people off and contribute to milder mood swings.
Social anxiety can also be a contributing factor when a group of people are enjoying themselves and you develop a nagging sense of FOMO.
How do you treat summer SAD?
In the event of a SAD strike in the hotter months, many of the tools involve cooling down, resting, and avoiding excessive light. It is important to stay cool, and doing so in a dark room with strong air conditioning can be a good option. Just as people with winter SAD are often treated with light therapy, this stands out as the opposite treatment.
Of course, there are options like therapy and medication that can be included in your treatment plan. Choosing a treatment approach that works for you will be crucial when it comes to getting through the months that you find to be more difficult.
