#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth – Heat Got You Down? #Summer #SeasonalAffectiveDisorder Is MORE Deadly Than #Winter #Depression, As #Suicide Rates Peak During #Spring And #Summer Months

• Heat, pollen and humidity are cited as triggers for #summer #depression 
• Researchers recommend cooling strategies and therapy 

By STEPHEN M. LEPORE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

While #seasonalaffectivedisorder is often cited as a problem for many during the winter months, researchers have found that suicides and #mentalhealthproblems peak during summertime. 

The summer version of #SAD needs more research, say scientists, as it has not received the same level of attention as its winter counterpart.

‘It certainly deserves more study, certainly deserves more concern,’ Norman Rosenthal, the #psychiatrist who first described #seasonalaffectivedisorder, has said.

In 2020 and 2021, suicides in #America peaked from May until October, dipping for the colder months, according to the #CDC. 

Historical research backs up that trend. 

While many people talk about suffering the effects of #SeasonalAffectiveDisorder during the cold, bitter winter months, it turns out it may be more impactful during the summertime, with #suiciderates increasing May through October

The two seasons appear to have opposing symptoms, though both result in poor moods and reduced pleasure, according to the Washington Post. 

Whereas winter depressives may tend to oversleep, overeat and feel sluggish, summer depressives may feel #insomnia and have a lesser appetite. 

Researchers also note that summer depressives tend to be more agitated, rather than the lethargy shown in winter depressives. 

#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation
website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

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The key to the disturbing trend may be in energy levels, according to Rosenthal, who is publishing a book on the disorder. 

Those who feel suicidal during the winter may not have the energy to actually commit #suicide, whereas the agitation of summer #depression may convince people to harm themselves. 

Summer depressives may blame the weather, including high pollen counts, for their feelings.

‘They say constant heat, or I can’t stand the light,’ according to Rosenthal. ‘I’ve had people say that the light kind of cuts through me like a knife, I can’t stand it. And bright light actually can predispose to mania.’ 

Studies showed that high pollen days often corresponded with the worst of peoples’ moods during the summer and allergies are often common in the depressed.

The key to the disturbing trend may lie in energy levels, according to Norman Rosenthal (pictured), who is publishing a book on the disorder

Those who feel suicidal during the winter may not have the energy to actually commit #suicide, whereas the agitation of summer #depression may convince people to harm themselves

Rosenthal believes that all seasonal #depression may be down to having a biological difficulty adjusting to the seasons. 

‘We have these homeostatic or self-adjusting mechanisms,’ Rosenthal said. ‘But clearly in some people, they don’t work as well as in other people.’

‘Maybe it’s a shared vulnerability to a #mooddisorder and an issue with the ability to thermal regularly in response to heat and humidity,’ said Kelly Rohan, professor of psychological science at the University of Vermont.

Rohan believes that climate change may lead to higher levels of summer #depression.

‘I will make a prediction that summer #SAD certainly has increasing importance considering global warming, raising concerns regarding increased exposure to the assumed triggers heat and humidity,’ Rohan said, noting that she only started receiving questions about summer SAD recently. 

‘I strongly suspect that we’re going to see more cases of this popping up.’ 

Researchers agree that coming up with a ‘cooling strategy’ to beat the heat, combined with seeking out therapy, could be a potential solution to seasonal #depression in the summer, though all say more research is needed.