SUMMERTIME SADNESS IS A REAL CONDITION THAT IMPACTS UP TO TWO MILLION PEOPLE IN THE US
(St. Louis, Missouri): “Summertime Sadness” was a hit song by singer Lana Del Rey a few years ago. It is also a true medical condition that impacts up to two million people in the US. Most people are aware of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This condition occurs in the winter when the weather cools off, the amount of sunlight each day reduces, and people spend more time indoors.
Summertime is a trigger for those who suffer from Summertime Seasonal Affective Disorder (Summertime SAD). When summer begins, those with Summertime SAD begin to experience depressive symptoms. Summer depression often include loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, weight loss, and anxiety. Medical experts are divided on the exact causes of the disorder, but many believe that it has to do with schedule changes in the summer for students and families, body image concerns due to pool/beach attire, and potentially financial worries due to vacation spending.
Dr. Lena Pearlman, a mental health therapist in Creve Coeur, has the following advice and suggestions for those who feel depressive symptoms primarily in the summer, “Summertime sadness impacts people in much the same way that the winter version does. People feel tired, they are stressed, and they often have difficulty getting out of bed. My advice would be to seek out help from a licensed therapist, to plan ahead for the season, and to make certain to notify your primary care physician about the symptoms that you experience only during the summer.”
Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a team of seven mental health therapists in St. Louis, Missouri. The practice works with patients of all ages. They specialize in stress, depression, anxiety, relationships, and other mental health issues. The office is located at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141.