Society. Is summer a nightmare for you? You may be suffering from "reverse sadness."

Summer, sun, holidays, the beach, barbecues... For many, summer is the best time of year: the weather is nice, the days stretch out late, there are more and more outings... We stock up on vitamin D before facing the rainy weather of autumn and winter .

While some people look forward to summer, others dread it. Seasonal depression doesn't just occur in winter: the phenomenon even has a name: "reverse SAD," which stands for "reverse seasonal affective disorder." In other words: reverse seasonal depression.

Longer days impact sleep

This phenomenon particularly affects people sensitive to changes in circadian rhythm . Long days and light will cause them to have sleep disturbances. "Excess sunlight can lead to modulations in the production of melatonin," the natural hormone of the sun, explains Psychology Today magazine.

In addition to sleep deprivation, other symptoms that can appear for those suffering from summer depression include loss of appetite (often leading to weight loss), anxiety, mood swings, and lack of motivation. A 2023 Nature study showed that affective disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder peak in June and July.

Temperatures that are difficult to bear

Another aspect that is also difficult for many to bear in summer: high temperatures . "Living in a house with closed shutters is really depressing, but it's the only solution to living more or less decently. There's nothing to do except suffer from the heat," laments Jules, a reader from Grenoble (Isère). "Suffering from the heat at over 30 degrees is a real torture for people who are very overweight. It's also difficult to keep a house cool and manage lack of sleep," says Irène, from Montbrison (Loire). Also according to Psychology Today , summer depression also seems to "predominate in regions particularly prone to hot summers."

Summer is also the season for insects, and especially... mosquitoes and their bites. A real ordeal for Jean-Paul, from Moselle. During the summer, he also has a hard time with the noise: "Whether it's the neighbors who don't realize the disturbance caused by screaming children or noisy family gatherings. I don't dare mention the symphony of lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, or chainsaws. On the road, it's noisy motorcycles or mopeds. In short, it's far from the tranquility of sunny days," he laments. For Paul, from Valence (Drôme), it's the "pollution caused by vehicles using the highway" that is difficult to bear.

An injunction to have an active social life

Adding to these inconveniences is social pressure. Summer is a time when we tend to go out a lot and want to be outside to enjoy the nice weather. This can be a particularly difficult time for introverts and homebodies. Jules laments this: "We live in a society where loving summer is a real injunction. You absolutely have to go on vacation or risk getting prying eyes or even disappointing your family, and you have to go to places that are often crowded and expensive when budgets are already tight all year round," sighs Jules. The same goes for Mélène, a reader from Longvic, in Côte-d'Or, who doesn't understand "this injunction to have to go out and enjoy it." Especially since she can't expose herself to the sun, being photosensitive. "Summer is synonymous with tanning... and therefore sunburn for me," she explains.

Another factor that has become increasingly prevalent in recent years and may be affecting summer depression is "global warming, which is raising concerns about increased exposure to supposed triggers of heat and humidity," notes the Washington Post in an article. "With climate change, summer is becoming an unpleasant and disastrous season with all these forest fires," confirms Irene.

If you recognize yourself in certain symptoms and you suffer from discomfort or depressive disorders during this period, it is advisable to consult a professional.