Why does springtime make some people depressed?

For many of us, springtime is something to look forward to. It signals the transition from winter's blistering chill to sunnier skies and warmer air.

Yet there are some people who begin to feel worse when the weather gets better. They may become depressed or even have thoughts of suicide. These feelings of sadness may be related to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also called major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern, a condition that occurs when the seasons change.

SAD in the spring

SAD commonly affects people during fall and winter, but it can also happen in the spring or summer. This less-common pattern, sometimes called reverse SAD, makes up less than 10 percent of SAD cases.

People who experience this type of depression often have difficulty focusing and sleeping, as well as a poor appetite. Though winter SAD tends to make people tired and zap their energy, reverse SAD often has the opposite effect, causing them to feel agitated and restless. They may also feel lethargic or hopeless, have a decreased interest in activities they once enjoyed, experience withdrawal from family and friends, or even have suicidal thoughts.

Reverse SAD may result from the discomfort of summer’s heat and humidity, which can trigger frustration, anxiety, and insomnia. Usually, just sitting in an air-conditioned room does not improve these symptoms. Instead, it might require the help of a physician or therapist. For some, taking trips to northern places with cooler temperatures helps during the spring and summer months.

The condition may also be affected by lifestyle changes, increased exposure to sunlight, and disruptions in circadian rhythm—your body’s natural clock—which can lead to changes in sleep patterns.

How to manage springtime depression

Managing springtime depression is similar to managing depression all year round. Here are some tips you can use to begin to feel better:

Take baby steps

“It's hard to get motivated when you're depressed,” says Bruce Conn, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Macon, Georgia. So, do something that interests you. It doesn’t have to be big; phoning a friend or crafting can be enough to help.

Get enough sleep

It’s not uncommon for those with depression to experience insomnia, so Conn urges people to practice good sleep hygiene. This means disconnecting, avoiding stimulants and turning off the lights before bedtime. “Let nighttime be nighttime,” says Conn. Allergies can also disrupt one’s sleep schedule, and a lack of sleep can feed into depression.

Try an exercise you like

“There's definitely a connection between how we feel emotionally and how we feel physically,” says Conn. If you’re feeling depressed, it can be difficult to jump into an exercise routine right away. So, start off doing an activity that you like, whether that’s walking outside for five minutes or riding your bike. If you don't have allergies, spring is the perfect time to try a new outdoor sport or running club.

Find people like you

Joining a support group is a good way to connect with people who share your experiences and can help you cope. Organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) have weekly and monthly support groups. NAMI Connection, for example, has peer-led meetings in cities across the nation for adults living with mental health conditions. Or, try the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, which has hundreds of support groups focusing on specific conditions, like anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression.

Talk to a therapist

If feelings like hopelessness or lethargy have persisted for more than two weeks, connect with a healthcare provider. They can check to see if your symptoms are related to something physical. If your physical health checks out, they can refer you to a specialist who can prescribe medication and recommend other therapies.

If you find that your springtime depression is becoming unmanageable and you're having thoughts of suicide, call, text, or chat 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also visit their website for help and more information.

Springtime doesn’t have to be a time to dread. With the right help from a professional, family, and friends, you can get back to enjoying the season.