For numerous Canadians, summer is a cherished season filled with bustling patios, open swimming pools, and fully booked social calendars.
However, for Mark Manning, the heat, humidity, and extended daylight can negatively affect his mental well-being.
To cope, he often spends one weekend day sequestered in his apartment, drawing the shades to help manage his anxiety.
“Navigating the world feels much easier in winter compared to summer,” shared the 38-year-old sales representative from Calgary during an interview with The Current.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is typically linked to winter, but summer SAD—also referred to as reverse SAD—poses significant challenges for some individuals. This condition can be particularly hard to manage during a season that encourages maximizing enjoyment of the sunny days.
In contrast to the winter variant, which is characterized by oversleeping, overeating, and social withdrawal, summer SAD manifests through insomnia, decreased appetite, anxiety, restlessness, and agitation, according to American psychiatrist Norman Rosenthal. Symptoms generally arise and subside at the same time each year, typically lasting four to five months.
Variations in sunlight can disrupt our circadian rhythms, influencing our emotional states. A clinical psychologist elaborates on how seasonal affective disorder can manifest in summer.
Rosenthal, who played a key role in coining the term SAD at the National Institutes of Health during the early 1980s, speculates that the prevalence of summer SAD may increase as the planet endures more severe heat due to climate change.
“I certainly believe that as temperatures rise, individuals who struggle in summer will face greater challenges,” Rosenthal affirmed. “It’s that straightforward.”
The fear of missing out
August Winter has experienced summertime depression for several years and notes that the fear of missing out adds another dimension to his difficulties.
“It feels like I’m not part of something that everyone else seems to be enjoying,” explained the 30-year-old musician and filmmaker from Vancouver. “As summer ends, if we expect it to be the highlight of our year, it raises the question: am I missing out on my own life?”
Winter also points out that the lack of awareness surrounding summer SAD can be particularly frustrating for him.
August Winter, a musician and filmmaker from Vancouver, has been grappling with summertime depression for years. (Submitted by August Winter)
Practitioners are often unaware of summer-onset major depression, as summer is typically regarded as a lively season for Canadians, according to Simon Sherry, a clinical psychologist and psychology and neuroscience professor at Dalhousie University.
“I am quite convinced that this pattern often goes unnoticed in places like Canada,” he stated.
“This is a counter-stereotypical issue that doesn’t receive much empathy or understanding,” he added. “We rarely inquire about it because we lack the training, and it contradicts our stereotypes and expectations.”
These societal expectations weigh heavily on Manning, he mentions.
“The pressure that society seems to impose, suggesting that when it’s not snowing and not cold, you must be out engaging in some activity… that creates an unusual level of anxiety in an already challenging situation for me.”
The issue lies partly in the fact that summer SAD has not been studied as extensively as its winter counterpart, making it less understood, according to Sherry. He believes the primary factor is the alteration in sunlight exposure and its potential to disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm.
“This can lead to mood dysregulation, disturbed sleep, and changes in hormonal balance. We’re discussing significant shifts in the biological functioning of an individual,” he explained.
Clinical psychologist Simon Sherry states that summertime SAD can affect both mood and sleep. (Submitted by Simon Sherry)
Effects of extreme heat on mental health
An increasing number of studies are revealing connections between extreme heat and mood and mental health crises.
Amruta Nori-Sarma, an assistant professor of environmental health and population sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, notes that heightened summer temperatures correlate with a rise in psychiatric emergency department visits.
“We believe that extreme heat serves as an external stressor that exacerbates existing mental health conditions,” she explained, adding that this research primarily involved individuals with access to commercial health insurance in the U.S., indicating a potential underrepresentation.
However, according to Rosenthal, some individuals experience SAD without any prior mental health issues. He and his wife encountered this when they relocated from South Africa to New York City in 1976 and faced their first severe winter.
Nori-Sarma states that sleep disturbances caused by relentless heat can trigger various mental health disorders, including mood disorders. Her research also indicates that higher temperatures may reduce the effectiveness of certain medications.
Currently, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are standard treatments for depression and mood disorders, but she cautions that these medications can heighten sensitivity to heat as they disrupt the body’s thermoregulation.
American psychiatrist Norman Rosenthal was instrumental in coining the term SAD at the National Institutes of Health during the early ‘80s. (Submitted by Norman Rosenthal)
Ways to alleviate symptoms
Due to the limited research on summer SAD, Sherry notes that treatment can be challenging. Nevertheless, there are strategies to help alleviate some symptoms.
For those experiencing a milder form of the disorder, he suggests modifying one’s environment, such as investing in blackout curtains or acquiring an air conditioning unit.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is another option, providing short-term support aimed at helping individuals challenge unhelpful thoughts or behaviors.
“For instance, in winter, we encourage people not to isolate but to engage in activities like public skating, walking, or tobogganing that bring joy. I believe a similar strategy, which we might refer to as behavioral activation, is beneficial for summer SAD,” Sherry stated.
“There are also thought patterns that may hinder individuals from participating in their surroundings. For example, thinking ‘I can never go outside because it’s always hot and I’m always miserable’ may seem accurate but is not universally true. Thus, we can sometimes challenge and reshape overly extreme thought patterns.”
Mark Manning, a Calgary-based salesperson, notes that summer impacts his mental health. (Submitted by Mark Manning)
While Manning opts to avoid busy public parks and beaches, he finds that having a small inflatable pool in his backyard is “fantastic.” He also appreciates the respite provided by movie theaters and is striving to take part in the aspects of summer that his friends and family enjoy.
“To foster understanding and respect for your challenges with summer, it’s important to also appreciate and respect others’ enjoyment of the season,” he advised.
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For Winter, a significant part of overcoming the summer blues has involved being more candid with others about how this season affects him.
“It feels good to be honest with my friends and say, ‘Yes, this time of year is particularly challenging for me. And that’s perfectly fine.’”
If you or someone you know is facing difficulties, here are some resources for assistance:
- Provincial and territorial mental health resources.
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counseling available on the website.
