Summer Sadness is not something I had heard about in relation to the summer. To me Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD has always been associated with the darker winter months. We have a blog on SAD you might find interesting Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

However, many find the sunnier spring and summer months very difficult to deal with.

Symptoms of Summer SAD

Symptoms might include:

• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Restlessness and anxiety
• Reduced appetite and weight loss

Causes of Summer SAD

The cause of SAD in the winter is not known, but it is thought that it is linked to shorter days in the autumn and winter and so less exposure to sunlight. It is believed that a lack of sunlight may impact a part of the brain from working properly, meaning an increase in the production of hormones that cause sleep and a lowering of the production of a hormone called serotonin. Serotonin affects mood, and low levels of serotonin are linked to depression. It is also thought that the lower light levels in the winter can lead to disruption of the body’s internal clock, which can cause SAD symptoms.

The cause of summer SAD is also not clear although it is though again to be linked to changes in melatonin and serotonin levels in the body. Other possibilities are linked to allergies and the increase of pollen in the atmosphere affecting mood.

Medial News Today also points out that “summer can bring challenges that could affect an individual’s mood and mental health. For example, individuals with body image concerns may find that summer’s hotter months and lighter clothing trigger anxiety and worry. . . The longer daylight hours, shorter nights, and increased temperatures can also cause sleep disruptions. As a result, people may not sleep as well as they need to for optimal mood and health.”

Treating Summer SAD

Generally the treatment for Winter SAD is a combination of Counselling, lifestyle changes, light therapy and antidepressants.

Suggestions to treat Summer SAD include:

• Improving sleep – spending time in a darkened room before bedtime and having practiced that help them relax such as yoga or meditation could help, as could avoiding caffeine and alcohol which could affect sleep. Below is a blog from our website on fostering a better sleep pattern Insomnia & Better Sleep

• Reduce stress – Please take a look at the following blog that might help you with feelings of stress. Stress Awareness Month – April 2022

• Eating Healthily – if you are experiencing a loss of appetite then getting the right nutrition in what you are eating is very important.
• Use air – conditioning – keeping the heat at bay should have a positive impact on your mood and quality of sleep. In the UK air conditioning is not common in our homes so think about how you can get more airflow and cool things down. Invest in a good fan and try to keep your environment cool.

If you continue to struggle with Summer SAD you might want to consider speaking to your GP. Alternatively, you might want to talk to a professional therapist. Paul Carter is an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) practitioner as well as a counsellor, psychotherapist. If you are looking for support, call Paul Carter now to book an appointment or to discuss your issues further. At the moment, Paul is only working online or the telephone due to COVID. To make an appointment please call Paul on 07843 813 537 or fill in the form on the Contact Page, if he doesn’t answer he is probably in a session, please leave him a message and he will call you back as soon as he can.