Severe depression brought on by spring/summer - does anything help?

[MerLOWnomore]

Posting here for traffic…

For the last few years I’ve experienced severe depression that coincides with the change in weather. I did start to experience mental health issues during the pandemic, but this depression that is specific to spring/summer seems to have become more pronounced in the last few years.

September-March - motivated, have drive, reasonable energy, level mood.
April-August - Over the course of April and May I start to become less focused, feel more apathetic. By the end of May/beginning of June I will literally be unable to get out of bed for more than a few hours a day. Anything such as cooking and cleaning is a massive struggle. I’m currently unemployed following a redundancy, but have previously had to take sick leave when employed during the months this happens.

It feels like a horrible nightmare and I’d do anything for it to stop. I don’t necessarily even feel sad/weepy, just a complete disinterest in anything and a need to hide from the world. Complete loss of energy, to the point all my movements are slug-like. It can be accompanied by anxiety at times. I’ve previously taken ADs, which actually made some of my symptoms worse. I’m on medication for ADHD, which again, worked great in the autumn/winter, but seems to have lost its effect now the seasons have changed.

I’ve seen a few people post about suffering from depression in the summer. I’m not sure if it’s reverse SAD or something else, in my case.

I know little research has been done into this, but from my own research I do know suicides spike in the spring. There’s some who think it may be due to pollen/allergens/inflammation that come with the spring.

I honestly don’t know what the cause is with me, but I’ve currently got a HEPA filter running and have previously tried going in a room with blackout curtains after about 6/7pm. Neither of these actions seem to have done much.

I honestly can’t cope living like this much longer. Several months a year I don’t socialise, go out, eat healthily, exercise. Nothing. It’s like living a half-life. I was just wondering if anyone who has suffered from this has found a solution or something that improves it? Come September, it’s like a light switch and I go back to my normal self.

Oh I’m sorry you feel like this. Unfortunately I have no advice but sending you a hug. (I tend to get it more in the winter months)

Have you tried going out first thing for a walk when the light strength is at its weakest? By first thing I mean 5-6, 6-7am.
I ask because I feel horribly sluggish late morning and afternoon and don’t have that feeling September to Easter so I think it’s possibly the raised atmospheric pressure plus heat later in the day. It raises the inflammation in my body.

it’s definitely helped me over the last month, I tried it because I read an article on summer SAD a few weeks ago. The added benefit is of course that you get some steps in so you don’t have that internal monologue of ‘I SHOULD be exercising/getting outside’ or whatever crap holds you back.

if you try it I’d love to hear if it works for you

I'm not as severe as you but I always say I have reverse SAD too. I don't like the change into summer at all.

I too have felt like this, especially over the last couple of years. I feel completely burnt out come summer time. No idea why though.