For most people, summer is something to look forward to. Longer days, warmer weather, time at the cottage, vacations, and family gatherings all contribute to the idea that summer is the “feel-good” season.
But that isn’t everyone’s experience.
Some people notice that their mood actually worsens as the weather becomes warmer. They may feel anxious, restless, irritable, or unusually sad. Sleep becomes difficult, their appetite changes, and they find themselves withdrawing from activities they would normally enjoy. Instead of feeling energized by summer, they count the weeks until autumn arrives.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not imagining it.
Although most people associate seasonal depression with the darker months of fall and winter, mental health professionals also recognize a less common form that occurs during the spring and summer. Today, clinicians refer to this as Major Depressive Disorder with a seasonal pattern. Many people still know it by its former name - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - but current diagnostic guidelines describe it as a pattern of depression rather than a separate diagnosis.
Researchers are still working to understand why this happens. Unlike winter depression, which has been linked to reduced daylight, summer-pattern depression appears to involve a combination of biological vulnerability and environmental factors. Heat, disrupted sleep, changes in daily routines, and even the pressure to be out enjoying the season may all play a role. For some people, these factors create a perfect storm that affects both physical and emotional well-being.
The symptoms are much the same as those seen in other forms of depression. Some people experience persistent sadness, while others notice that anxiety and irritability are more prominent. Difficulty sleeping is particularly common, and many people find themselves feeling emotionally exhausted despite the longer days.
The important thing to remember is that depression doesn’t follow a calendar. If your mood changes predictably every summer, and those changes interfere with your relationships, work, or enjoyment of life, it’s worth talking with a mental health professional. Seasonal patterns can be identified, understood, and treated.
Treatment depends on each person’s needs but often includes psychotherapy, attention to sleep and daily routines, stress management, and, for some individuals, medication prescribed by their physician. Just as importantly, therapy can help people understand their own seasonal patterns so they can recognize early warning signs and develop strategies before symptoms become overwhelming.
Although summer-pattern depression is less common than its winter counterpart, it is no less real. You don’t have to force yourself to enjoy the season simply because everyone else seems to. With the right support, most people can learn to manage seasonal changes in mood and feel more like themselves throughout the year.
For help with summer depression contact Medipsy at info@medipsy.ca or 514 419-3005.
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References
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., text rev.; DSM-5-TR).
Melrose, S. (2015). Seasonal affective disorder: An overview of assessment and treatment approaches. Depression Research and Treatment, 2015, Article 178564.
Rosenthal, N. E., & Wehr, T. A. (1987). Seasonal affective disorders. Psychiatric Annals, 17(10), 670–674.
