Seasonal Affective Disorder in the Spring?

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) doesn’t just come in one form; it has two main versions: winter-pattern and summer-pattern. You’ve probably heard of the winter blues, where folks feel down when the days get shorter. But there’s also a less common type that hits during the warmer months, called summer-pattern SAD.

The symptoms of both types of SAD are pretty similar to general depression. Things like feeling sad, hopeless, or irritable, losing interest in things you usually enjoy, changes in sleep and appetite, and even physical pains like headaches or digestive issues can all be signs that something’s not quite right.

But there are some differences between the two. With winter SAD, you might find yourself wanting to sleep more, craving carbs, and withdrawing from social activity. On the other hand, summer SAD can mess with your sleep, make you lose your appetite, and leave you feeling restless or anxious. Sometimes, it can even lead to aggressive behavior.

Diagnosing SAD involves recognizing these seasonal patterns of feeling down, happening over a couple of years. It’s more common in women and tends to show up more in places where the winters are longer and darker.

Researchers think that imbalances in certain brain chemicals like serotonin and melatonin might play a role in SAD. In winter, when there’s less sunlight, serotonin levels can drop, especially if your vitamin D levels are low. Meanwhile, summer SAD is thought to be linked to lower levels of melatonin because of all that extra sunlight messing with your sleep.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, so treating SAD is a process of trial and error. Therapy, especially a type called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can help us wrestle those negative thoughts to the ground and come up with ways to deal with the seasonal blues. Then there’s light therapy – literally sitting in front of a light box that mimics outdoor light for a bit each day – to help reset our body clocks and give serotonin levels a boost.

Sometimes, we might need a little extra help from medications like SSRIs to take the edge off those depressive symptoms. But it’s essential to chat with a healthcare pro to figure out what’s right for you.

And let’s not forget the power of lifestyle changes. Getting moving with regular exercise, munching on good stuff, catching some rays (when it’s safe, of course), and practicing relaxation tricks like mindfulness can all help take the sting out of SAD.

For those dealing with summer-pattern SAD, making sure we’re catching enough Z’s and finding ways to keep cool and calm are key. Setting up a sleep-friendly environment, ditching screens before bed, and finding ways to chill out can all help take the edge off those summer blues.

Just like with any mental health struggles, the sooner we tackle SAD, the better. And the good news is, help is just a click away with online therapy services. Therapists who specialize in mood issues can offer up personalized advice and support, all from the comfort of home.

So, whether it’s winter or summer, knowing the score on SAD and taking steps to tackle it head-on can make all the difference in how we soak up those sunny days and beat the seasonal blues.