An Overview of Summertime Depression

When we think of seasonal depression, we often think of the sadness that sets in during the short, dark, cold days of winter. For some people, however, it's the hot summer months that trigger symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. If the summer heat and bright sunny days leave you feeling sad, moody, and irritable, you might be experiencing summertime depression.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is not considered a specific diagnosis in the current DSM-5. It is recognized as a recurrent major depressive disorder within a seasonal pattern specifier, however the term is still commonly applied. This pattern most commonly begins in the fall and continues into the winter months. While not as common as fall and winter depression, SAD can also affect people in the late spring into the summer months. 

Summertime depression, also referred to as reverse seasonal affective disorder and formally as major depressive disorder (MDD) with a seasonal pattern, is a form of SAD that flares up during the summer and typically returns every year at about the same time and resolves at characteristic times.

Summertime Depression Symptoms

Seasonal depression patterns typically present with low energy, pervasive sadness, daytime tiredness, and decreased activity. Usually, these symptoms begin in the late fall and continue until spring or summer. However, people who have SAD in the summer often present with the opposite pattern, according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), the largest mental health teaching hospital in Canada.

Some of the more common symptoms include:

• Irritability
• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Weight loss
• Poor sleeping and sleeping less (insomnia)
• Changes in appetite

Everyone experiences some fluctuations in mood and sleep patterns, and it's normal if you get a little of this during seasonal changes. However, people with summertime depression experience much more pronounced symptoms that can interfere with their well-being and disrupt their ability to function in their normal daily lives.

Why Do People Get Summertime Depression?

There have been many theories as to why people experience depression during the summer months. However, the research is limited, and most of the studies reference fall and winter SAD. That said, there are some specific theories that many experts refer to when considering the cause of summer depression.

Most notable is exposure to too much sunlight in the summer months which leads to changes in the body's internal clock or circadian rhythm. When this happens, your melatonin production is lower, and your sleep-wake cycle is thrown off, resulting in disrupted sleep patterns.

Other theories that may explain why some people experience seasonal depression in the summer include:

• Increase in pollen counts
• High temperatures
• Longer days
• Lack of a routine or structure
• Negative body image
• Extreme heat
• Not enough sleep
• Feelings of loneliness
  

One study found that increased pollen counts during the summer are associated with worse mood. The study found that 0.4% of people experience summertime depression, and 4.5% have seasonal patterns of mood changes.

Diagnosing Summer Depression

To be diagnosed with SAD or summer depression, the National Institute of Mental Health says you must meet the full criteria for major depression coinciding with a specific season, in this case, summer.

To determine if you meet the criteria, practitioners need to ask the right questions to determine if individuals presenting with depression are, in fact, experiencing seasonal affective disorder. This can only be done by a thorough assessment of the relationship between an individual's depressive symptoms, time of year, and history. 

Since a diagnosis requires the presence of symptoms for a two-year period, it's important to note that you will not receive this diagnosis the first time you experience symptoms.

Summertime Depression Treatment

The presence of a seasonal depressive disorder such as summertime depression can be debilitating. Like many other mood disorders, there are actions you can take to help lessen the severity of the symptoms associated with summer depression. 

Seek Professional Help

Psychotherapy is highly recommended to treat depressive disorders, including summertime depression. More specifically, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) says the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has proven to be very effective in treating SAD.

Medication

Antidepressants are a group of drugs commonly prescribed for treating depression that work by increasing levels of a group of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters (primarily serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine) which are involved in regulating mood. 

The antidepressants approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for treating depression include:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Remeron (mirtazapine), among others, are also approved. Bupropion has an FDA indication specifically for the treatment of SAD.

Coping With Summertime Depression

If summer depression is interfering with your daily activities, working with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that involves psychotherapy and/or medication should be the first step. Beyond that, there are lifestyle modifications that may help ease the symptoms and boost your mood. 

Participate in Regular Exercise

Taking part in a regular exercise program that includes physical activities you enjoy may help decrease the symptoms of depression.

Observe Symptom Patterns

If the summer months are bothersome year after year, consider keeping track of any patterns or timelines of when symptoms develop. This information may be helpful when seeking a diagnosis. It also allows you to create a plan for managing the symptoms. 

Practice Mindfulness Meditation and Deep Breathing

Deep breathing exercises combined with a daily practice of mindfulness meditation can help you become aware of your thoughts, feelings, and body states without reacting to them or believing them to be true.

Takeaways

Recognizing the seasonal pattern that comes with summer depression can help you find ways to better manage the symptoms. That said, if you're concerned about your physical or mental health, you may want to consider making an appointment with your doctor to discuss any questions you may have.

Being open and honest about how you're feeling can help relieve some of the stress you may be experiencing. It also helps your doctor make a proper diagnosis. Working together, you can create a treatment plan that addresses your needs.