Everyone around you is celebrating the joys of summer – outdoor sports, picnics and trips to the beach – but you’re feeling more than a little down and lethargic. Could you have summer seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?

Mostly known for its connection to the winter months, SAD can also affect people in the warmer months. Summer SAD is rare, but if you have been feeling unusually down or tired for a prolonged period, you may want to see a provider.

Summer SAD Signs and Symptoms

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), SAD is a type of depression that occurs seasonally, with symptoms lasting about four to five months out of the year. SAD is more than just the blues; it involves more serious mood changes that affect the way you feel, think and behave.

NIMH lists the following symptoms of depression. Keep in mind that individuals with depression do not necessarily have all of the symptoms:

• Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism.
• Feelings of irritability, frustration or restlessness.
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness.
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities.
• Decreased energy, fatigue or feeling slowed down.
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.
• Changes in sleep or appetite or unplanned weight changes.
• Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not have a clear physical cause and do not go away with treatment.
• Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts.

For summer SAD, additional symptoms can include:

• Trouble sleeping (insomnia).
• Poor appetite, leading to weight loss.
• Restlessness and agitation.
• Anxiety.
• Violent or aggressive behavior.

Causes of Summer SAD

SAD often starts during adulthood. The risk of SAD increases with age, and women are affected more often than men.

Researchers are still determining what causes SAD, and more research is needed, especially for summer SAD.

One theory is that people with summer SAD may have reduced levels of melatonin, a hormone that helps maintain a normal sleep-wake cycle. Lower levels of melatonin may lead to a disruption in normal daily rhythms, preventing people from adjusting to seasonal changes in the length of the day. This may lead to changes in mood and behavior.

Negative thoughts and feelings about summer are also common among people with SAD, although researchers do not yet know whether these thoughts are a cause or effect of SAD.

Treatment for SAD

Treatment for winter depression and summer depression often differ. See your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of depression. Your provider can evaluate your symptoms and make a referral or recommend a treatment plan.

Treatments can include antidepressants and counseling such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Your provider may also recommend lifestyle changes such as improving sleep quality, reducing stress and eating a healthy diet.

If you are looking for a healthcare provider, Aultman Medical Group Primary Care has more than 80 providers ready to take care of you and your family. Many of our offices are accepting new patients – and more than likely, we have a location in your community.

Visit aultman.org/NewDoc to find a provider in your area who is accepting new patients, or call the new patient hotline at 330-433-1264 for assistance with scheduling your appointment.

Aultman Medical Group Behavioral Health and Counseling Center is also accepting new patients.

Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support or if you are experiencing mental health-related distress. You can also chat at 988lifeline.org.

Sources:

MedlinePlus
National Institute of Mental Health
The StayWell Company, LLC