Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder: It’s Not Just a Winter Thing

When thinking about Seasonal Affective Disorder, most think of “the winter blues”. It can conjure images of shortened days and darkness which can inevitably bring about symptoms of depression. Finding the energy and motivation to do the things you want to do can become difficult when the seasons start to shift. What many don’t realize is that this change in mood and functioning can also happen other times of the year.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depressive disorder that tends to occur seasonally. While symptoms can feel persistent, they tend to last for a “season” which can be only a few months.

Symptoms of SAD usually include depressive symptoms such as;

Sad mood
Anxiety
Feelings of hopelessness
Overwhelming pessimism
Decreased interest
Loss of energy
Sleep changes
Difficulty concentrating
Body aches or even digestive problems
Possible thoughts of death or suicide

Seasonal Affective Disorder can feel overwhelming and take the joy out of seasonal changes, however, it is treatable!

It Isn’t Just a Winter Thing

For some, the beginning of summer can be complicated. Many are excited for the weather to warm up and the days to get longer, however, however, this truly isn’t the case for everyone. There are those that notice a change in their mood and increase in depressive symptoms as we move into the summer months.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH ) “people with summer-pattern SAD may have reduced melatonin levels, consistent with long, hot days worsening sleep quality and leading to depression symptoms.” Those that experience summer SAD will often report more insomnia, decreased appetite, anxiety and even agitation.

Anytime you notice a change in your mood or functioning it is worth looking into. If you notice that you feel unlike yourself when the seasons change, reach out for help.

So, What Can You Do?

Being aware of your mood and how you are able to live your life is important. It can be difficult to know if there is a problem if you aren’t paying attention to yourself. If you are concerned about how seasons affect you, get curious. Start tracking your mood, sleep, appetite, activity level etc. This can help you to see if there are changes or cause for concern.

Many turn to other types of interventions such as light therapy, psychotherapy and medication management. Working with a therapist and exploring psychiatric medication management can make a world of difference for those experiencing symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, regardless of which season impacts them most.

It can be hard to recognize Seasonal Affective Disorder symptoms. It can be hard to avoid them. Choose your hard, my fellow humans. And don’t forget, therapy can help.

Carolina Counseling Services contracts with a number of skilled, licensed therapists and prescribers. Check out our website to learn more: www.carolinacounselingservices.com