A reader asks:
I suffer from a VERY serious condition of summer depression. Each year around this time (April) I start to become very worried about the bad weather that is due. What can I do, and how can it be cured?
Our New York area survey suggested that summer depression occurs only at about 10% the rate of winter depression. Our best understanding is that (1) it is not responsive to light therapy, (2) standard antidepressant medication is probably indicated. Some patients have reported temporary — but major — relief by staying in cold, air conditioned environments as much as possible. However, their mood is likely to plummet when they go outdoors. Sad to say, there has been very little research on this “minority” seasonal pattern.