Summertime Blues

Warmer temperatures and sunshine can make life feel like a day at the beach, but for some, the summertime blues of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) usher in mental and emotional difficulties. SAD is more commonly thought of as a winter condition, characterized by significant changes in mood and behavior when seasons change, but summer-pattern SAD can be just as severe. Data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) even shows that suicide rates climb between June and August. Rutgers–Camden psychologists Lauren Daniel and Daniel Lee offered their insight into why the summer months can drag us down.

“We need to sleep in darkness and cool temperatures—65 degrees is ideal,” said Lauren Daniel, associate professor of psychology and health sciences in the Camden College of Arts and Sciences. “Hot summer weather coupled with early-morning sunshine may cut sleep short. Insufficient sleep is closely related to depressed mood, so the weather may trigger depression through its impact on our sleep.”

Studies indicate that those with SAD exhibit lower levels of serotonin, a chemical that helps regulate mood. Some findings also suggest that people with SAD produce too much melatonin, a critical hormone for maintaining normal sleep patterns. Daniel said that university students and community members could be particularly susceptible due to the seasonal ebbs and flows of the academic year.

“Change in schedules and lack of daily structure provided by the academic year can impact physical symptoms like fatigue and mood, as individuals have more daylight hours and time to fill,” Daniel said. “Humans thrive on structure despite often craving the freedom of summer. Over time, the lack of structure may impact mood.”

Lauren Daniel, associate professor of psychology and health sciences in the Camden College of Arts and Sciences

Daniel Lee, director of the Student Wellness Center.

Daniel Lee, director of the Student Wellness Center.

Student Wellness Center Director Daniel Lee said individuals should consider whether changes in mood can be explained as just a few bad days or may be indicative of something more serious.

“If behavior, routine, social interactions, and general disposition are altered to the point that someone is not their usual self, then it is likely a seasonal affective disorder that warrants further evaluation,” Lee said.

Lee recommended a clinical screening with a mental health professional and a physical examination with blood work to clarify or confirm a diagnosis. He cautioned against self-diagnosis, noting that symptoms could meet the criteria for other mood disorders, sleep disorders, or medical disorders, like hypothyroidism. He said maintaining good sleep habits and proper nutrition can help individuals manage symptoms of summer-pattern SAD.

“Summertime blues are more transient and tend to resolve with minimal to no interventions, whereas summer SAD will require more support and likely have a more significant impact,” Lee said.

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