Summer Depression
Hello all! Hoping you are all having a good day! Today we are going to be going over the seasonal depression for summertime. If you're not in the U.S. you can relate to this to when it's summer for you.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons.
With winter depression, there is at least the small comfort that everyone else is hunkered down in their apartments watching Netflix, too. Summer depression, on the other hand, can feel isolating, like youre missing out on some big party. Theyre hiding in their dark rooms, and they feel like theyre not part of this great pageant thats going on outdoors, in the swimming pools and going for hikes.
Did you know the highest number of suicides rates are in the summer? Most would say it was winter. Here's why:
First, the increased socializing and contact with that many people do during the holidays may actually keep those suicidal thoughts at bay. The support of family and friends is one thing that keeps people from utter despair. Second, there are plenty of distractions.
Some suggest that sunshine triggers suicidal thoughts, making self-harm more common in months with longer days. Temperature is also a suspect.
Doctors point out that allergens trigger the release of anxiety-producing chemicals, and studies have linked the pollen count to the number of people killing themselves.
If you are someone that does not like heat, sweat, sunlight, or have self-esteem issues or social issues, you might the summer part of SAD. Please be aware of SAD, and if you feel as if you or someone else might have this, know that it CAN be treated.
Everyone please stay safe and comfortable this summer.
I have been reading about SAD a lot, and I started to think that I may be a part of it, too. Since I'm a girl, I really like when things are clean and aesthetic and colorful- not as my home. I share room with my siblings and that makes it even worse. I think that's what triggers my depression, along with seasons, of course. I don't know how I'll get through it this summer, since I don't have any friends and I don't like my body.
@MyDreamIsToBeANeurobiologist Sorry to hear that you get depressed. Many times changing our routine to keep the focus on self-care helps us a great deal. And also learning to enjoy solitude by making use of it for self-introspection can bring us inner peace. Hope you feel better soon. Stay strong and take care.
A couple rambling thoughts:
People in the southern hemisphere may not have summer at this time of the year but the holidays or long breaks in between school semesters, etc can be at about the same as the US. I feel like there's not just one factor that contributes to this seasonal depression but, if it has anything to do with those then it's probably not really related to the weather itself.
Toward the end of the post it was kinda weird because it makes it sound like people are depressed just dislike the weather? It kinda feels like it downplays the seriousness of it. I'm no expert but I feel like the way the heat brings on lethargy and exhaustion, probably is a big cause for a seasonal spike in someone's depression. It feels that way for me, anyway. I seem to find myself just laying around in bed with no motivation and no care around the hottest part of the afternoon. Also in my case there's the mental stimulation aspect...other than school and maybe work (I lost my first and only job back in May though) I'm not really allowed to leave the house on my own very often, even though I'm an adult! so I rarely get to get out and experience new things and have real social contact with people outside my family. Obviously in the summer, school is taken away so...that eliminates pretty much everything...luckily I have a once-a-week summer class but that really isn't enough...
Uh, hi... I'm Jack and new to this site.... this is actually the reason that I joined... I live in the UK and this past week summer has gone into full swing its 30 degrees outside, i don't know if that's hot on US standards, but for England, that's super hot.
I just feel totally alone,I hate being stuck inside on my own all day. even as I write this, in my room watching HIMYM on netflix for the 7th time, I can hear kids playing outside, and I can see a family across the street having a BBQ, i feel so jealous, like im missing out. I alienated my friends when I broke up with my first girlfriend, and now I have only 3 friends, one, my best friend who i spend all my time with is just as depressed as I am. the other 2, one has a girlfriend and spends literally every second with her, and the other one is always working or with his other friend.
im 24 in august, and I feel terrified that im wasting the best years of my life sitting inside alone watching tv shows ive seen 100 times already. I so desperately want to be outside, socialising and having a good time, meeting women, but i just dont know how to. my best friend, has no desire to go out with people, he just wants to ride his bike alone, so I cant go out with him, and the other 2 are always at work or staying home. I feel like im missing out on being young, I dont want to wake up one day in my 30s and realise ive never been truly had a good time, only ever sat indoors.
does anyone have any advice on how to break the cycle? I hate my life full stop, Im stuck in a woefully low paid job that i hate since january, where my wage literally covers my bills and that's it, no money to save or to go out with, I stopped going to the gym when i broke up with my first girlfriend in 2013, lost all of my weight (12 1/2 stone to 8 stone) which ive never gotten back, and as a result of being super skinny, super poor and never getting the chance to socialise with people, I have become cripplingly shy, I have 0 confidence and id say that im severely depressed. I just want to be happy again, with a circle of supportive friends.
@JustJack93
I'm glad you replied :) Although, I'm sorry to hear about what's been happening. I know what it's like to be an introvert, it's not easy socializing with anyone, or having the motivation to. Sometimes you just really have to push yourself extra hard to get that sense of freedom and happiness.
I didn't like life in summer since I was a kid, even before I found out SAD (or even depression itself) was a thing. I think being a girl who used to hate her body (now learning to love it no matter what, actually made progress), summer for me was indeed a big party outdoors that I had to either stop being "sad" and join in or bottle up everything and try to join in anyway- most of the time it was easier to do the latter.
Having palmar hyperhidrosis since teenage years and up to this day made it even worse. I can't wear sandals or slippers because my feet feel so slippery I literally can't walk and fear falling, and there are some fabrics that I cringe so hard when I touch because the contact with my hands feels weird and they start sweating even more - basically everytime of the year when it's warm, of course, except winter time, but it's horrible in summer. This particular condition made me dread this season that's supposed to be fun; there's nothing enjoyable about being uncomfortable.
@Raya501 Sorry to hear that you have been facing issues regarding sweating. I really hope, over the years you have somehow learned to control the effects of this without causing you depression. And I'm proud of you that you have started to love your body now. Stay strong and takecare. We are here for you.