Summertime Depression

I used to think every kid loves summer. School is out; no more early morning and late-night study sessions. But what I didn’t realize at first was the boredom that comes with a work-free summer. It can feel like everyone around you is having a blast – sitting by a pool, going to the beach, having summertime barbecues – while I’m stuck at home, not feeling that summertime happiness. Eventually, I learned that what I was experiencing was Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), something common in many teens and young adults, and many of them might not even know they have it. SAD can cause anxiety, weight loss, and trouble sleeping. There are ways that can help you cope with summer depression, like planning a schedule ahead of time, exercising and eating healthy, or even talking to a doctor about your symptoms. Summer depression can happen to anyone and should be spoken about more often to let people know they are not alone in feeling this way (Griffin, M. R.).

I was surprised to learn that SAD affects 4-6% of the US population, typically causing depression on colder and shorter days. Summer SAD affects 10% of the US population, causing people’s depression symptoms to occur during longer and hotter days (Griffin, M. R.). Mental health resources say it’s important to remember that SAD is a type of depression, and 20% of teenagers will experience a depressive episode before the age of 17.  People with depression know that having a steady routine helps get rid of symptoms. In the summertime, my routine pretty much disappears—even though I know having a steady routine helps ease my depression. Without school, there’s no structure, and that really messes with me. A lot of teens face body image problems. With the boiling hot weather, our winter layers are put away, and bathing suits and tank tops are needed. Teenagers in high school are very self-conscious about their bodies because they are comparing themselves to others, and puberty has changed their bodies. My friends and I have definitely experienced this before, so I wouldn’t be surprised how common it is. This can lead teens to avoid social events and situations so they don’t compare themselves and feel less vulnerable.

There are some ways to cope with summer depression. Getting help can be the first step, like talking with your doctor about how you’ve been feeling. They can direct you to a therapist or psychologist to give you better support. Waiting for the depression symptoms to go away on their own won’t do you any good. Planning ahead was the main coping mechanism that helped me bring back that steady routine you had during the school year. You can plan vacations or hangouts with friends to leave you with something to look forward to, another one of my favorites. Getting enough sleep can also reduce depression symptoms. Because teens don’t need to wake up early for school, they’ll stay up late and not get the full 8 hours of sleep. Exercising was also a big one for me because it kept me both healthy and busy during the day to help my body. Thinking about why you are depressed and what might be causing it could help you figure out how to get rid of your symptoms. Do you associate summer with a bad time? If something traumatic happened to your teen during the summer, talking to them about it can help them overcome their past trauma (Griffin, M. R.).

Summertime might seem like a fun and joyful time, but others may feel differently. I’ve learned that with a steady routine and prioritizing your help, you can ease into summer without the worry of summertime depression. If you or anyone you know needs to talk to someone, speak with a doctor or therapist about what you have been feeling. Morgan R. Griffin did a great job explaining what summer depression is and how you can cope with it. WebMD is a great source to use if you want to learn more about depression and other mental illnesses.


Griffin, M. R. (n.d.). Summer depression: Causes, symptoms, and tips to help. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/depression/summer-depression.

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