Over one billion people struggle with mental health worldwide, a burden that is increasing, mainly driven by anxiety and depression.
One less known type of depression is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a distinct form of depressive disorder characterised by a seasonal pattern, and, like any other form of depression, is a serious medical condition.
Seasonal depression is more common during winter, linked to the darker, colder days and a lack of social interaction. However, although only a few experience summer depression, it can be as debilitating as the more widely recognised winter one.
A recent study found that summer SAD is an atypical subtype that affects 0.57% of the global population, compared with winter SAD, which affects 5%.
The condition can be triggered by heatwaves and tropical nights, with symptoms ranging from milder “summer blues” to incapacitating depressive symptoms, such as insomnia, appetite loss, agitation and anxiety.
