For many people, summer is an exciting time. People will go on vacation, work on their gardens, and enjoy the warm
weather. Unfortunately, summer can lead to depression in people. PsychCentral, a website geared towards mental health issues shared 5 things that cause summer depression.

1. Summer seasonal  affective disorder – In approximately 10% of individuals who experience SAD, their bodies work counter intuitive to everyone else. The longer summer days and warmer temperature actually bring about unhappiness.

2. Changes in schedules – Summer for parents with children can bring about a change in mood. Children are out of school and trying to find a babysitter can be stressful and expensive. Furthermore, vacations can cause disruptions in sleep-wake cycles, appetite, and other routines that occur throughout the year.

3.  Body image – Summer equals sun and sand.  It can also equal poor body image.  People tend to feel self-conscious about their bodies.  For them, summer can be a grueling time where they would rather stay covered up.

4. Financial problems – Vacations or even stay-cations can be costly for people. With the rising cost of gas and the already increased costs of hotels/motels during the summer months, summer can be expensive if one wants to travel. For parents of children, this can also mean more money going into groceries. Children also want to play sports or camp and this can increase depression symptoms.

5. Heat – people who live in warm weather locations or areas of the country where the humidity is unbearable can become depressed easier. Staying inside may be boring for some who want to get out but can’t. Buying takeout food which may not be the most healthy could be also done which can lead to depression. 
 
Anyone experiencing depression during the summer months can do a few simple things that can make summer more exciting and get one out of the summer blues.  
 
1.  Get plenty of sleep –  While summer months may have more sunshine during the day, our bodies still need
plenty of sleep.  We need to be rested both physically and mentally.

 2. Exercise – Summer can be fun and give people the opportunity to get out of the house. For those who need something other than the gym, try going out and rollerblading, biking, jogging, rock climbing, or swimming. Mixing up exercise routines can be fun and easy to do in the summer.

3. Be social – Being  around others is always positive and helpful for people dealing with depression.  We as humans are
social creatures and love interacting with one another.  
      
4. Planning something fun  – this does not mean that you have to go on vacation.  However, plan an event that you can do that would be fun and exciting (i.e. family cookout, taking a short trip to someplace nearby that you have always wanted to go). Doing things like this will keep you motivated.

5. Get on a schedule – Begin planning how you want to arrange your summer schedule as soon as possible  to work around the kids being off school, if you are off from work during the summer, or other things that may cause your routine to be off. 
Humans love routines and the quicker you can get on a routine, the better off you will feel.

If you are still experiencing summer blues, don’t hesitate to talk with your medical doctor or mental health provider about your symptoms to determine if any changes need to be made.  
 

Do the bleak winter months get you down  more than you think they should? Maybe you have seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD. Seasonal  depression is a mood disorderthat happens every year at the same time. A rare  form of seasonal depression, known as "summer depression," begins in late spring or early summer and ends in fall. But in general, seasonal affective disorder starts in fall or winter and ends in spring or early summer.
 
What Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder?
  
There are two seasonal patterns with SAD. One starts in the fall and continues through the winter, and the other starts in late spring or early summer. The fall-onset type of SAD, often referred to as "winter depression," is better known and easier to recognize -- and we know more about it than we know about its counterpart.
 
Hormones manufactured deep in the brain automatically trigger attitudinal changes at certain times of year. Experts believe that SAD is related to these hormonal changes. One theory is that reduced sunlight during fall and winter leads to reduced production of serotonin in the the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has a soothing, calming effect. The result of there not being enough serotonin is feelings of depression along with symptoms of fatigue, carbohydrate craving, and weight gain. Because foods high in carbohydrates (chips, pretzels, cookies) boost serotonin, it is thought that they have a calming,
soothing affect on the body and mind.
 
SAD usually starts in young adulthood and is more common in females than in males. Some people with SAD experience
very mild symptoms and feel out of sorts or irritable. Others have debilitating symptoms that interfere with relationships and productivity. 
 
Because the lack of enough  daylight during wintertime is related to SAD, it is seldom found in countries within 30 degrees of the equator, where there is plenty of sunshine year round.
 
What Are the Symptoms of SAD During Winter? 

People with SAD have many of the normal signs of depression, including:

• Decreased levels of  energy 
• Difficulty concentrating    
• Fatigue
• Increase in appetite
• Increased desire to be alone
• Increased need for sleep 
• Weight gain
   

What Are the Signs of SAD During  Summer?

Symptoms of summer SAD include:

• Decreased appetite
• Trouble sleeping
• Weight loss

How Is Seasonal Affective Disorder Diagnosed?
  
It is very important that you do not diagnose yourself with seasonal affective disorder. If you have symptoms of
depression, see your doctor for a thorough assessment. Sometimes, physical problems can cause depression. But other times, symptoms of seasonal depression are part of a more complex psychiatric problem. A health professional should be the one to determine your level of depression and recommend the right form of treatment.
 
How Is Seasonal Depression Treated?
  
There are different treatments for  seasonal depression, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Also, if you  have another type of depression or bipolar disorder, the treatment may be different. Many doctors recommend that patients with SAD try to get outside early in the morning to increase their exposure to  natural light. If this is impossible because of the dark winter months, antidepressant medications and/or light therapy (phototherapy)  may help.
 
What Is Light Therapy for SAD?

Light therapy for SAD uses a full-spectrum bright light that is shined indirectly into your eyes. When you use light therapy, you sit about 2 feet away from a bright light -- about 20 times brighter than normal room lighting. The therapy starts
with one 10- to 15-minute session per day. Then the times increase to 30 to 45 minutes a day, depending on your response. It is important not to look directly at the light source of any light box for extended periods in order to minimize
the risk of damage to your eyes.

Some people with SAD recover within days using light therapy. Others take much longer. If the SAD symptoms are not resolved, the prescribing doctor may increase the light therapy sessions to twice daily. Those who respond to light therapy are encouraged to continue until they can be out in the sunshine again in the springtime.

Does Light Therapy Work for Seasonal Depression?

Some researchers link seasonal depression to the natural hormone melatonin, which causes drowsiness. When light strikes the human retina, a process in the body decreases the secretion of melatonin. Light modifies the amount of melatonin in the human nervous system and boosts serotonin in the brain. So light therapy has an antidepressant effect.
 
Experts now believe that light therapy may be an effective treatment for people who have eating disorders, insomnia, and major depression (unrelated to SAD). Researchers have found that when depressed  patients without SAD take antidepressants and use light therapy, there is an added benefit of increased energy and improved mood.
 
Can I Prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder?

If you have been diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder, here are some things you can do to help prevent it from coming back: 

• Try to spend some amount of time outside every day, even when it's very cloudy. The effects of daylight are still beneficial.
• Begin using a light box when fall starts, even before you feel the effects of winter SAD.
• Eat a well-balanced diet, including sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals as recommended by the FDA. This will help you have more energy even if your body is craving starchy and sweet foods.
• Try exercising for 30 minutes a day, three times a week.
• Stay involved with your social circle and regular activities. Social  support is extremely important for
  those with mood disorders, especially during winter months.

When Should I Call my Doctor About Seasonal Depression?
  
If you experience feelings of depression, fatigue, and irritability that come at the same time each year and appear to be seasonal in nature, you may have a form of SAD. Talk openly with your doctor about your feelings. Follow the doctor's recommendations for lifestyle changes and/or treatment if you have SAD.

If your doctor recommends light therapy, ask if the practice provides light boxes for patients with SAD. You can also
rent or purchase a light box, but they are expensive and health insurance companies do not usually cover them. While side effects are minimal with light therapy, be cautious if you have sensitive skin or a history of bipolar disorder.

Source: Web MD: http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/seasonal-affective-disorder

Holiday depression and stress facts 

• A number of factors, including unrealistic expectations, financial
  pressures, and too many commitments can cause stress at holiday time.
• Certain people may feel depressed around the winter holidays due toseasonal affective disorder (SAD), sometimes
  referred to as seasonal depression.
• Headaches, excessive drinking, overeating, and insomnia are some of the possible consequences of
  poorly managed holiday stress.
• Those suffering from any type of holiday depression or stress can benefit from increased
  social support during this time of year. Counseling or support groups can also
  be beneficial.
• In addition to being an important step in preventing the symptoms of
  seasonal affective disorder, regular exposure to light that is bright,
  particularly fluorescent lights, significantly improves depression in people
  with SAD during the fall and winter.
• Setting realistic goals and expectations, reaching out to friends, sharing
  tasks with family members, finding inexpensive ways to enjoy yourself, and
  helping others are all ways to help beat holiday stress.

Help is  available to individuals and families 24 hours a day by calling the Counseling
Center’s crisis team at 330-264-9029 - or any of the Counseling Center office
locations.

This guide provides practical advice on how to deal with the effects financial difficulties can have on your physical and mental health is from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Possible Health Risks

Economic turmoil (e.g., increased unemployment, foreclosures, loss of investments and other financial distress) can result in a whole host of negative health effects - both physical and mental. It can be particularly devastating to your emotional and mental well-being. Although each of us is affected differently by economic troubles, these problems can add tremendous stress, which in turn can substantially increase the risk for developing such problems as:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Compulsive Behaviors (over-eating, excessive gambling, spending, etc.)
• Substance Abuse

Warning Signs

It is important to be aware of signs that financial problems may be adversely affecting your emotional or mental well being --or that of someone you care about. These signs include:

• Persistent Sadness/Crying
• Excessive Anxiety
• Lack of Sleep/Constant Fatigue
• Excessive Irritability/Anger
• Increased drinking
• Illicit drug use, including misuse of medications
• Difficulty paying attention or staying focused
• Apathy - not caring about things that are usually important to you
• Not being able to function as well at work, school or home

Managing Stress

If you or someone you care about is experiencing these symptoms, you are not alone. These are common reactions to stress, and there are coping techniques that you can use to help manage it. They include:

• Trying to keep things in perspective - recognize the good aspects of life and retain hope for the future.
• Strengthening connections with family and friends who can provide important emotional support.
• Engaging in activities such as physical exercise, sports or hobbies that can relieve stress and anxiety.
• Developing new employment skills that can provide a practical and highly effective means of coping and directly address financial difficulties.

Getting Help

Even with these coping techniques, however, sometimes these problems can seem overwhelming and you may need additional help to get through "rough patches." Fortunately, there are many people and services that can provide help. These include your:

• Healthcare provider
• Spiritual leader
• School counselor
• Community health clinic
• The Counseling Center - 24 hours per day at (330) 264-9029 

If you need help finding treatment services you can access our Mental Health Services Locator for information and mental health resources near you. Similarly, if you need help with a substance abuse problem you can use our Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator.

Specific help for financial hardship is also available, on issues such as:

• Making Home Affordable
• Foreclosure
• Reemployment
• Financial assistance

There are many other places where you can turn for guidance and support in dealing with the financial problems affecting you or someone you care about. These resources exist at the federal, state and community level and can be found through many sources such as:

• Federal and state government
• Civic associations
• Spiritual groups
• Other sources such as the government services section of a phone book

Suicide Warning Signs

Unemployment and other kinds of financial distress do not "cause" suicide directly, but they can be factors that interact dynamically within individuals and affect their risk for suicide. These financial factors can cause strong feelings such as humiliation and despair, which can precipitate suicidal thoughts or actions among those who may already be vulnerable to having these feelings because of life-experiences or underlying mental or emotional conditions (e.g., depression, bi-polar disorder) that place them at greater risk of suicide.

These are some of the signs you may want to be aware of in trying to determine whether you or someone you care about could be at risk for suicide:

• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
• Looking for ways to kill oneself
• Thinking or fantasying about suicide
• Acting recklessly
• Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life

If you or someone you care about are having suicidal thoughts or showing these symptoms SEEK IMMEDIATE HELP. Contact your healthcare provider, mental health crisis center, hospital emergency room or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at1-800-273-TALK (8255) for help.

Other Steps You Can Take

• Acknowledge that economic downturns can be frightening to everyone, but that there are ways of getting through them - from engaging in healthy activities, positive thinking, supportive relationships, to seeking help when needed from health professionals.
  
  
• Encourage community-based organizations and groups to provide increased levels of mental health treatment and support to those who are severely affected by the economy.
  
  
• Work together to help all members of the community build their resiliency and successfully return to healthy and productive lives.

For further information on mental health or substance abuse issues please visit The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).