Are you feeling depressed in the summer?
Many people love summers to enjoy delicious lemonades, hitting the pool, or chomping on watermelons. However, some people might find the summer medically depressing. This is called Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and is generally known for the winter season. However, summer depression also exists and “it certainly deserves more study, certainly deserves more concern,” Washington Post quoted Norman Rosenthal, a psychiatrist at Georgetown University School of Medicine who first described SAD, in the scientific literature in 1984.
Symptoms of this condition
Symptoms of winter and summer SAD are both marked by sad mood and reduced feelings of pleasure. However, experts note that some symptoms appear to be different between the two seasons.
Winter depression patients tend to oversleep, overeat and feel sluggish. The summer ones experience opposite symptoms – they are not that hungry, have less appetite, and experience insomnia.
Risk of suicide higher for summer depression
Summer depression is also a more agitated depression, compared to winter depression. Patients tend to feel more distressed than lethargic, as in winter depression.
Individuals with summer depression may be at an increased risk of suicide. “This may be because depression patients who feel suicidal during the winter may not have the energy to carry out the plan,” said Rosenthal. People with summer depression, who are both sad and agitated, unfortunately may have more energy to harm themselves.
What causes it?
Factors that may put a person at a higher risk of summer SAD include heat, humidity and pollen. “I've had people say that the light kind of cuts through me like a knife, I can't stand it. And bright light actually can predispose to mania,” Rosenthal said.
Climate change may worsen summer depression
Researchers say summer SAD may become more prominent with climate change in a warming world.
“I will make a prediction that summer SAD certainly has increasing importance considering global warming, raising concerns regarding increased exposure to the assumed triggers of heat and humidity,” Rohan said.
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How to cope with summer SAD
If you feel depression-like symptoms in the summer, it is important to seek medical help and not dismiss your feelings. Summer SAD is a real condition that needs treatment. According to researchers, cooling strategies, medication and cognitive behavior therapy, may help in treating summer sadness.