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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Run_Wild on February 25, 2005, at 11:37:35
Greetings! I suffer from Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder and am hoping to connect with others who have the same condition. It's not even the end of February and I'm already starting to dread the summer months.
I've done quite a bit of research on Summer SAD and have been disappointed by how little information there is. I'm a fledgling feature writer and am putting together a piece to submit to several magazines. I hope that I can begin a dialog with some Summer SADs and include their experiences in the piece.
Any other Summer SADs out there who want to talk?
Posted by sunny10 on February 25, 2005, at 11:50:18
In reply to Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder, posted by Run_Wild on February 25, 2005, at 11:37:35
wow, I never heard of that one...
What kinds of dread do you have in the summer?
Posted by Run_Wild on February 25, 2005, at 12:06:24
In reply to Re: Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder, posted by sunny10 on February 25, 2005, at 11:50:18
> wow, I never heard of that one...
>
> What kinds of dread do you have in the summer?Thanks for your question. To help you understand Summer SAD a bit, here are some excerpts from the article I'm working on.
******
Most people have heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and associate it with the dark and gloomy, shortened days of winter. Few people realize, however, that there are actually two types of SAD. While Winter SAD affects a little over five percent of the general population, Summer SAD, on the other hand, affects far fewer and is less known.Seasonal Affective Disorder is a cyclical mood condition that results in periods of depression during specific seasons year after year. When the season ends, the signs and symptoms of the condition disappear. Although there is no cure for Summer SAD, there are ways patients can help themselves feel better and get through summer season.
In addition to a mild to moderate depression, the symptoms for Summer SAD include anxiety, irritability, and insomnia. Some researchers believe that summer heat affects sleep patterns which then leads to anxiety and irritability. Summer SAD sufferers point to a variety of triggers. For many, increased sunlight is secondary to heat and humidity. Most Summer SADs are in agreement that both increased sunlight and temperature are factors, but they differ on the weight of each of the factors in relation to their own symptoms.
Although Summer SAD patients can close window curtains and lower air conditioning thermostats to help themselves feel better, it is difficult for them to control their environment to reduce their depression. The main difference between Winter SADS and Summer SADs in this aspect is that Winter SADs experience relief with 30 minutes of light therapy while Summer SADs need to alter their environment all throughout the day.
******
Although I hate sunshine any time of the year, summer heat increases that feeling. For me, summer means irritability and insomnia. I run very early in the morning to beat the heat and the sun; exercise helps reduce stress. I've noticed an improvement if I reduce my carb intake because eating carbs seems to increase my internal body temperature. I also improved once I started taking thyroid medication because it helps me regulate my body temp and decrease my irritability. Sometimes I close the blinds and play Christmas music to try and set a Winter theme. ;-)
Posted by sunny10 on February 25, 2005, at 12:46:30
In reply to Re: Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder » sunny10, posted by Run_Wild on February 25, 2005, at 12:06:24
wow- thanks for sharing... I never knew that existed!
I'm a total summer baby...can't stand winter! I knew there were losts of people who get cranky in the heat and humidity, but I had no idea that it was a different type of disorder for some!
Good to know...
Posted by ron1953 on February 25, 2005, at 14:26:13
In reply to Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder, posted by Run_Wild on February 25, 2005, at 11:37:35
Posted by Jai Narayan on February 25, 2005, at 15:21:27
In reply to Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder, posted by Run_Wild on February 25, 2005, at 11:37:35
yes, I am one.
I hate summer but really didn't know why.
I love the rainy weather of Portland, Or.
hate the sun.
wow, I am so amazed.
Ja*
Posted by Phil on February 25, 2005, at 16:07:17
In reply to Move to Seattle?? (nm), posted by ron1953 on February 25, 2005, at 14:26:13
Posted by Run_Wild on February 25, 2005, at 16:22:19
In reply to Re: Move to Seattle?? LOL (nm) » ron1953, posted by Phil on February 25, 2005, at 16:07:17
Ron and Phil,
I have considered moving to Seattle; in fact I recently turned down a job there because my husband can't stand the rain. So, for years, my dilemma was move to a better climate and leave my family or try to make my life as comfortable as possible here in sunny Nevada. After many years of frustration, we've agreed to move to Idaho where we hope it will be a happy medium for both of us.
Posted by Run_Wild on February 25, 2005, at 17:18:47
In reply to Re: Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder, posted by Jai Narayan on February 25, 2005, at 15:21:27
> yes, I am one.
> I hate summer but really didn't know why.
> I love the rainy weather of Portland, Or.
> hate the sun.
> wow, I am so amazed.
> Ja*Jai,
Thank you for responding. As I said before, I'm researching an article and would like to include some quotes and experiences from Summer SADS--both those who know they have it and those who don't. I'd love to ask you a couple of questions about this. Are you okay with that? If so, I'll send a post with about ten questions. Thanks!
Posted by ron1953 on February 25, 2005, at 18:53:49
In reply to Re: Move to Seattle?? LOL, posted by Run_Wild on February 25, 2005, at 16:22:19
It's kinda interesting because I'm moving to Oregon from PA to be with my new (1/28) wife, who I met here in babble-land. When I first visited last November, I was thankful that I don't have Winter SAD. Wish you luck.
Ron
Posted by SadDoggie on February 26, 2005, at 3:08:00
In reply to Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder, posted by Run_Wild on February 25, 2005, at 11:41:47
Hi,
Well I used to have it, and I was also a fledgling writer! What a coincidence. SSAD is the strangest thing. While everybody else is getting depressed in the winter time and having a great time in the summer, you are plunging into depression in the summer. I got it various times throughout my teen years, and the last one was a big one, it made me suicidal. Every summer I would think about other summer's gone by, about a girl I liked then, get nostalgic, I would obsess about it, and eventually get into a deep depression. A lot of people during this time of depression also look at the outside world and think everybody's enjoying themselves outside except themselves. That seems to be the nature of the beast. Now a decade later my mental disorder is much more serious. No more summer depressions, just ongoing depression, non-working medications, my disorder is just much more complicated. I'm not trying to scare you or anything, it doesn't mean this is going to happen to you. For you a psychiatrist would prescribe something like prozac or something and you'll probably get better. Good Luck.
SadDoggie> Greetings! I suffer from Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder and am hoping to connect with others who have the same condition. It's not even the end of February and I'm already starting to dread the summer months.
>
> I've done quite a bit of research on Summer SAD and have been disappointed by how little information there is. I'm a fledgling feature writer and am putting together a piece to submit to several magazines. I hope that I can begin a dialog with some Summer SADs and include their experiences in the piece.
>
> Any other Summer SADs out there who want to talk?
>
>
Posted by SLS on February 26, 2005, at 3:08:01
In reply to Re: Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder, posted by SadDoggie on February 25, 2005, at 14:17:12
I know this sounds pretty out there, but has anyone ever recommended wearing smoke-colored sunglasses or taking Neurontin?
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on February 26, 2005, at 3:08:01
In reply to Re: Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder, posted by SLS on February 25, 2005, at 14:43:05
I've never heard of it before, but I can understand it. If you look ahead too much and don't live in the moment, maybe one is looking ahead and saying, "Fall is just around the corner, and then Winter". Just a thought. Fondly Phillipa
Posted by Cecilia on February 26, 2005, at 4:55:26
In reply to Re: Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder, posted by SLS on February 25, 2005, at 14:43:05
I`m curious-how would Neurontin help? Cecilia
Posted by Jai Narayan on February 26, 2005, at 10:56:01
In reply to Re: Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder, posted by Run_Wild on February 25, 2005, at 17:18:47
please feel free to email me on the babble site or post publicly.
You have no idea how relieved I am to know someone else has this same problem. All my life I have hated sunny days.
honestly the hard part is when I am happy with a clouds most winter SAD people are quite grumpy....
please ask me anything.
thank you for this post.
I am deeply relieved.
Ja*
Posted by Optimist on February 26, 2005, at 23:51:14
In reply to Re: Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder » sunny10, posted by Run_Wild on February 25, 2005, at 12:06:24
Some of what you said rang a bell of dysphoric mania or a mixed episode. A lot of your symptoms seem opposite to what most winter SAD's experience similar to atypical depression features which is often the flip side of mania. Most atypicals have an increased need for carbs and sleep. You sound like you have the physical features of a hypomania combined with a negative mood. The fact that thyroid medication also helped rings another bell, which seems to help many bipolars albeit depressives as well though.
Have you been on any psych meds yet? Perhaps a mood stabilizer would do you well.
Brian
Posted by Run_Wild on February 28, 2005, at 17:54:09
In reply to Re: Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder » Run_Wild, posted by Optimist on February 26, 2005, at 23:51:14
> Some of what you said rang a bell of dysphoric mania or a mixed episode. A lot of your symptoms seem opposite to what most winter SAD's experience similar to atypical depression features which is often the flip side of mania. Most atypicals have an increased need for carbs and sleep. You sound like you have the physical features of a hypomania combined with a negative mood. The fact that thyroid medication also helped rings another bell, which seems to help many bipolars albeit depressives as well though.
>
> Have you been on any psych meds yet? Perhaps a mood stabilizer would do you well.
>
> BrianBrian,
Thanks for your response. I agree that a lot of my symptoms are opposite of Winter SADs, and most of the experts agree that Winter SADs and Summer SADs have very different symptoms; in fact the only similarity is the depression and the fact that it’s cyclical.
As for meds, other than Cytomel (T3 for thyroid) I’ve been on several anti-depressants, Lexapro most recently. The Lexapro has helped a lot over the last three years I’ve been on it.
I’ve read about some Summer SADs who are on anti-depressants year-round and kick in with a mood stabilizer in the summer. So far, I’m lucky enough to get by with no more additional meds as long as I get exercise (in the early morning) and limit my carbs in the summer. Oh, and an occassional whine session about the sunshine and heat! :-)
I’m not familiar with some of the other things you mention: hypomania, dysphoric mania or mixed episode. I’ll have to do some research on those.
Thanks again and take care, Run_Wild
Posted by Optimist on March 1, 2005, at 8:30:05
In reply to Re: Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder, posted by Run_Wild on February 28, 2005, at 17:54:09
I get depressions in both the winter and summer but not spring and fall go figure. :) Both are atypical depressions though; tiredness, lack of motivation, social anxiety, more sleeping, and mood reactivity.
I've considered adding low dose lithium to my regimand if things drop off after spring. I've heard it can be quite helpful in that regard.
Good luck!
Brian
Posted by SLS on March 1, 2005, at 13:06:24
In reply to Re: Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder-SLS, posted by Cecilia on February 26, 2005, at 4:55:26
> I`m curious-how would Neurontin help? Cecilia
I'm wondering if there isn't a little TLE (temporal lobe epilepsy) stuff going on there.
- Scott
Posted by MM on March 4, 2005, at 21:54:58
In reply to Re: Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder-SLS » Cecilia, posted by SLS on March 1, 2005, at 13:06:24
I think I totally have this. I have depression in the winter, but I've always hated sunshine, and have wanted to move to Seattle since I was a little girl. Love the rain...makes me calm and happy. I've heard of this before and you can either take it as a summer SAD thing or possibly a bipolar thing because the increased light would increase natural anti-depressant properties which might make someone "hypo". I think I'm somewhere between an atypical depressed person and bipolar, but I've never had a really clear hypo episode so I dunno. Seems like Bipolar is thrown around everywhere now...there's a "spectrum". That'd be fine and wonderful if that meant I would get a med that would fix me but.....I'm also a night owl, which is because I'm Bipolar right? Or is it cuz I hate sunshine? Maybe it just depends on who you talk to? Maybe we're all bipolar, some are just more so than others depending on what chemicals are being tweaked where and how?
Here's a link for what a hypomanic episode is for Run Wild: http://counsellingresource.com/distress/mood-disorders/hypomanic-symptoms.html
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