It happens! Depression: FDA-approved meditations may help. If your issues are financial, make a plan to save in the months approaching the summer. And in so doing, being around the pool won’t remind me as much of the days when I sat slumped over in the baby pool section, unable to carry out a conversation with anyone. The development of more practical treatments will become more important in light of global warming. Also, some people just hate the summer, which is reason enough to feel awful. Though summertime is often a time of fun and excitement for many people, the summer blues are common to many others, as well. As researchers have theorized, part of this may come down to heat stress, or basically the various ways that being way too hot can tax the human body and mind. Frontiers in Psychiatry. In winter, there’s advice like getting a sunlamp and making sure to go outside—but what are you supposed to do in the summer when seemingly everyone else is frolicking around unburdened by this totally unseasonal gloom? However, other symptoms do occur, including common depressive symptoms like sadness and hopelessness. It worked, but in addition to being totally unsustainable in everyday life, the woman reported that soon after stepping outside this sealed environment, her symptoms returned. Even if that’s the case, it might still really help to try to be around people, says Winch—go to an event, walk around, volunteer, hang out in public spaces. Chloe received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York. So, for me, I need to replace memories of relapses in the summer (which trigger anxiety for me during the summer) with positive events during the summer. She was too depressed to leave the house. publishing a piece recently about the trigger of Memorial Day for me, Beyond Blue: Surviving Depression & Anxiety and Making the Most of Bad Genes, Learning To Trust Yourself Again After Betrayal, Many Seniors with Depression Faring Well During Pandemic, Re-booting our Capacity to Cope with the Corona Virus: Strategies, Books and Movies that Inspire Screenwriters. This might be surprising, considering that sunlight and light therapy are so commonly suggested to ease depression symptoms, but for some people, light has the opposite effect, says Dr. Rosenthal. Even if most of the general population doesn’t experience full fledged depressive episodes during the winter, many can relate to feeling glum or not wanting to engage with others during the darkest months of the year. If insomnia goes on for a long time, then talk to your doctor about treatment options. Find enjoyable affordable indoor activities to enjoy during the summer, such as bowling, going to the movies, and visiting museums. Diurnal Mood Variation or "Morning Depression", The Connection Between Menopause and Depression, Understanding Your Atypical Depression Symptoms, 7 Facts Everyone Should Know About Depression, How to Spot Signs of Depressive Disorders in Children, Daily Tips for a Healthy Mind to Your Inbox, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline, body’s internal clock or circadian rhythm, https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Depression/Major-Depressive-Disorder-with-a-Seasonal-Pattern, https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/depression-fda-approved-medications-may-help, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651, Poor sleeping and sleeping less (insomnia), It occurs four times more often in women than in men, The age of onset is estimated to be between 18 and 30 years old, Family history of other types of mood disorders. Cut out any unnecessary spending and consult a financial advisor. Since this is a recurring seasonal pattern, symptoms must be present for at least the last two years. What Exactly Does It Mean to Have ‘High-Functioning’ Depression? By using Verywell Mind, you accept our, Factors That Could Increase Your Risk of Depression, What You Need to Know About the DSM-5 Updates on Depression, Seek Treatment With the 7 Best Online Help Resources for Depression, 8 Ways to Improve Your Mood When Living With Depression, COVID-19 and Seasonal Affective Disorder: How This Year Is Different, 7 Types of Depression You May Not Know About, Buying the Right Light Box for Seasonal Affective Disorder, Here's What People With High-Functioning Depression Want You to Know. “It’s very likely that for some people dealing with summer depression, one or more of these systems isn’t working the way that it should,” says Dr. Rosenthal. Depression Research and Treatment. The days may turn sluggish, opportunities to feel insecure are around every corner, FOMO rears its ugly head, and sometimes, it seems like everyone else is having the time of their lives while you’re sitting at home in front of the fan. https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Depression/Major-Depressive-Disorder-with-a-Seasonal-Pattern. There have been many theories as to why people experience depression during the summer months. The heat in many sectors of the world can be so intense that it can significantly lower your quality of life. One of the crappy things about summer is that some people have leftover associations from childhood that are so much better than the reality of summer as an adult, says Winch. Every year, despite knowing better, I’m surprised that my depression doesn’t magically disappear in the summer. Those with winter SAD experience sluggishness, increased sleep, increased appetite, and subsequent weight gain, but can pretty effectively treat their symptoms with palliative light therapy: exposure to a lamp with a frequency that simulates natural light.