Ever heard of summer boredom? We are not talking about "Summertime Sadness" and Lana Del Rey's song, but a disorder related to mental health that can be negatively affected by seasonal changes.
This phenomenon is often called seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder, or in more professional terms simply SAD. A type of depression caused by the change of seasons, but not necessarily with winter, cold and short days causing fatigue and lack of motivation. 10-15% of people with SAD experience symptoms during the summer, according to psychiatrist Norman Rosenthal, who first coined the term at the National Institute of Mental Health in 1984 in the US.
What are the symptoms of this disorder?
Although SAD is characterized by depression regardless of the season, the symptoms people experience in winter and summer can vary drastically. Winter types of SAD are a type of depression with "slow thought and movement" and candy consumption. On the other hand, this disorder in summer leads to loss of appetite and insomnia.
What causes summer depression?
There are several possible triggers, from changing temperatures to changes in your routine.
-Heat and light: Dr. Rosenthal says heat and light can be two major factors when it comes to summertime depression. Evidence shows that some people's bodies react poorly to high temperatures and light, creating a physiological imbalance that can harm their mental health.
-Social factors: Swimwear or summer travel can lead to the creation of a negative body image, while the financial aspect can often turn into sadness during this season.
-Routine changes: There are many people who go to work, while others go to beaches and swimming pools. This makes them feel unmotivated and a failure, while the rest of the world enjoys life.
-Feelings of isolation: In the summer, people think about vacations and fun, but for people who cannot reach this standard, it leads to a feeling of isolation and sadness during the hot months of this season.
How to handle it?
Dr. Rosenthal suggests the idea of ??finding time for yourself, for some rest and relaxation during the summer. He noticed that some of his patients felt better after swimming in the sea or pool, staying inside with air conditioning or wearing sunglasses. So, as little exposure to the sun and strong light as possible. At the same time, you can get your body moving by taking a dance or swimming course, watching a cool movie, etc.
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