
We, as a nation, are going through some seriously stressful times. I can’t help to think environmental factors may play another large role in reverse SAD. There is also some evidence suggesting a low thyroid funtion could be the culprit in reverse SAD. The production of Serotonin (a brain chemical that is involved with the regulation of mood) and the hormone Melatonin appear to play a major role in the symptoms of SAD. As the temperature rises and the sun beats down on the patient afflicted with reverse SAD, the body’s natural ability to find a balance appears to be thrown off. Reverse SAD can be linked to the brain’s hypothalamus and temperature control issues in the body. I thought, “How can you feel bad during the summer?” The signs and symptoms are very tangible and can be debilitating at times. It was perplexing to me, at first, when patients came in suffering from reverse SAD. The very thought of a summer job or summer reading did send me in a bad mood, but I would quickly bounce back when a fun activity presented itself. I still get a minor thrill when I hear the bells from the ice cream truck or the sounds of the midway at a school festival. Growing up in a city community, there were always kids around to do all the aforementioned activities. During our summer vacations from school, we would gather other kids from the neighborhood and play baseball, capture the flag, football, head up to the community pool, ride bikes, tell jokes, and plan adventures. Inevitably, we went back in time and talked about some of the fun things we did “back in the day”. It was great seeing him and catching up with all the happenings in our lives. Recently, I ran into a friend from the old neighborhood. Please humor me because I have to take a moment and again reflect back to my youth. “Reverse SAD” presents itself in the sunny summer months and will often include the symptoms of anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, feeling uncomfortably warm during the night, episodic anger, weight loss, irritabilty and decreased appetite. SAD is most commonly asociated with the dark and gloomy days of winter where afflicted people suffer symptoms of depression including, but not limited to, fatigue, lethargy, excessive sleep, hopelessness, social withdrawal, decreased interest in activities, weight gain, irritability, and general feelings of apathy.

This trend is the emergence of what the National Institute of Mental Mental (NIMH) has termed “reverse SAD” or reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder. A trend, which at best, seems to be growing in a very rapid pace over the past few summers.

#The who summertime blues free#
In a previous posting, I discussed the joys of having a stress free summer vacation, but I have noticed a significant trend among patients this summer. ’cause there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues’ (Eddie Cochran) My boss says, “no dice, son, you gotta work late” Well i’m a-gonna raise a fuss, i’m gonna raise a hollerĪbout workin’ all summer just to try an’ earn a dollarĮverytime i call my baby, to try to get a date CD Summertime Blues Cmon Everybody Dont Ever Let Me Go Jeannie, Jeannie, Jeannie Love Again Pocketful of Hearts Teresa Pretty Girl Twenty Flight Rock Cradle Baby Lovin Time 7 Im Alone Because I Love You One Kiss Undying Love Tell Me Why CompletĢ.Ain’t No Cure for Summertime Blues or is there?
