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Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'Reverse SAD' Is A Real Thing. Here Are The Signs.
When you hear the term 'seasonal affective disorder,' odds are you think of wintertime blues. 'We tend to associate shorter days, less sunlight and cold weather with higher chances of depressed mood,' therapist Natalie Moore told HuffPost. 'Conversely, when we think of summertime, we imagine longer days, sunshine and picture people being more joyful and optimistic.' For some people, however, the sunnier seasons bring an emotional struggle. This lesser-known ― and often overlooked ― condition is called 'reverse SAD' or summer-pattern SAD. 'Reverse seasonal affective disorder, or summer-pattern SAD, is a type of depression that occurs during the spring and summer months, as opposed to the more common winter-pattern SAD,' said board-certified psychiatrist and 'Practical Optimism' author Dr. Sue Varma. 'While most people associate SAD with the colder, darker months, some individuals experience a worsening of mood when the days get longer and brighter.' A number of different factors can cause reverse SAD. 'Reverse SAD is thought to affect individuals who are particularly sensitive to circadian rhythm changes,' Moore said. 'Physiological factors include discomfort from increased heat and humidity and sleep disruption caused by early sunrise.' Changes in light exposure can throw off mood-regulating hormones like serotonin and melatonin in the summer, just as in the winter. 'Psychological factors include internal pressure to be happy during this time of year,' Moore said. Summer comes with expectations to be outdoors, attend barbecues, take vacations, and generally be 'on.'Erin Pash, licensed marriage and family therapist The summer can be particularly tough for introverts, since social conventions call for increased participation in potentially energy-depleting activities in the summer. 'Other triggers may include summer stressors like vacation costs, childcare pressures, or problems with body image that are enhanced by our summer wardrobes,' said Dr. Samar McCutcheon, a psychiatrist with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Summer tends to disrupt routines, which is especially challenging for parents. 'Everything feels a little less structured with kids out of school, parents shuttling children around summer camps, more workload because coworkers are on vacation and pushing off work later at night to accommodate summer day time schedules,' said Mabel Yiu, a marriage and family therapist and founding director of Women's Therapy Institute. 'For people who rely on routine to feel stable, that lack of consistency can be destabilizing.' 'The symptoms of reverse SAD can differ slightly from winter-pattern SAD,' Varma said. 'People should look out for insomnia or trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, difficulty concentrating, irritability or mood swings.' It's common for those with this condition to feel extra pressure, which leads to a challenging disconnect. 'When you're not feeling great but feel like you should be, it can lead to guilt, shame, and isolation, which only worsens mental health,' Yiu said. Although the warm weather months are typically associated with more occasions to socialize, people struggling with reverse SAD may engage in social withdrawal. 'Summer comes with expectations to be outdoors, attend barbecues, take vacations, and generally be 'on,'' said Erin Pash, a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Pash Co. 'For someone already struggling, these expectations can feel like a heavy weight.' She recalled a past client who expressed feeling guilty for wanting to stay inside in the air conditioning while it seemed like everyone else was at the beach. They felt as though something was wrong with them for not loving the summertime. 'You might notice you're snappier with family members, avoiding social gatherings you'd normally enjoy or feeling physically uncomfortable even in mildly warm weather,' Pash added. In addition to social withdrawal, restlessness and overwhelm are typical signs of the condition. 'The intense sunlight that energizes others can feel overwhelming, like sensory overload that leaves you agitated rather than refreshed,' Pash said. Many people with reverse SAD report feeling overstimulated and anxious. But ultimately, the biggest sign is timing. Pay attention to patterns in your depression symptoms year over year. 'If you notice that around spring or summer time you experience these signs of reverse SAD, you should speak to your doctor or therapist about your symptoms,' Moore noted. 'Because it's not a well-documented condition, you may need to advocate for yourself in medical environments and seek a mood disorder specialist who has experience treating patients with this issue.' 'Because it is not a well-known mood disorder, the first step in treating and managing reverse SAD is recognizing that you struggle with it,' Moore said. 'Although reverse SAD is rare, you are not alone. Awareness around this condition is increasing.' Take steps to create an environment at home that will support your mental health in the summer. 'Use air conditioning or fans to maintain a comfortable temperature,' Varma advised. 'Heat intolerance is a big trigger. And while bright light can be helpful in the winter, those with reverse SAD may benefit from limiting light during certain times of day, especially in the evening.' Avoid excessive light exposure to promote good sleep as well. 'Use blackout curtains or eye masks if there's still light,' Yiu suggested. 'Minimize blue light screen time and have deliberate dim hours before bed.' Think about lifestyle factors that can affect your mood, and take care of yourself with good nutrition, regular exercise and breaks to rest and recharge. 'Prioritize being proactive about your wellbeing ― nourish your body with healthy food and remember to hydrate and replenish your body,' suggested Rachel Thomasian, a licensed therapist and owner of Playa Vista Counseling. 'Start or maintain a yoga or meditation routine to help manage feelings of anxiety or overwhelm.' Be mindful about your schedule and how you divide your time as well. 'Find indoor activities during the day to avoid being outside at the peak of heat or humidity,' McCutcheon said. 'It can be especially helpful if these activities involve your friends or family, to further prevent depressive symptoms.' She also recommended taking vacations to cooler climates during the summer. 'Give yourself permission to have a different kind of summer,' Pash said. 'Maybe your ideal July evening is a movie night with the AC cranked up, not a rooftop party. That's completely valid. And if you know summer is tough, plan easier months around it. Maybe you schedule your big work projects for fall and keep summer commitments lighter.' The same goes for social commitments. If you find endless summer barbecues too draining, you don't have to say yes to every invitation. 'Let friends and family know that you experience summer differently,' Pash said. 'A simple 'I'm more of a fall person, but I'd love to hang out somewhere air-conditioned' can go a long way.' In addition to leaning on loved ones for support, consider seeking professional help. 'For treatment interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy can be a helpful place to start to treat mild or moderate symptoms, and antidepressants should be considered when someone is experiencing moderate to severe symptoms,' McCutcheon noted. Whatever approach you try, just remember to be kind to yourself. 'Your experience is real and valid, even if it goes against the cultural narrative that summer equals happiness,' Pash said. 'Remember there's no 'right' way to experience any season. Your mental health matters year-round, including during those long, bright summer days.' 13 Vacation Habits That Are Secretly Stressing You Out Is This ADHD Symptom Messing With Your Sex Life? Why Does Talking About Bugs Make You Itchy?
The Independent
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Three things a partner should do to help lighten a mother's workload
A study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family in December 2024 revealed that mothers undertake 71 per cent of the mental workload associated with managing a household. The research indicates that mothers predominantly handle core daily tasks related to family well-being, whereas fathers typically manage episodic tasks concerning maintenance and finances. Dr. Sue Varma, a board-certified psychiatrist, highlighted that mothers often experience an emotional overload, stemming from anticipating potential issues and being the primary contact for children's needs. To help alleviate this significant burden, partners are encouraged to do three things; acknowledge the mental load, proactively initiate household tasks, and engage in consistent communication and shared decision-making. Experts advise women to communicate their needs clearly to partners, fostering a collaborative environment where partners actively ask how they can assist and participate in responsibilities.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How moms are impacted more by household management
Research shows moms carry most of the mental work load when it comes to managing responsibilities at home. A report published in the Journal of Marriage and Family found women manage 71% of family tasks such as planning, organizing and scheduling. "I think the number should be higher," board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Sue Varma told "CBS Mornings." Varma said it's not only the cognitive overload that women face, but the emotional impact as well. "A child is often turning to the mother in most cases, assuming it's a heterosexual couple, for comfort, and the school is calling the mother when the child is sick and who's taking time off from work? So all of it comes back down to the woman often," she explained. Mental load impacts can include: Persistent feelings of anxietySleep disturbancesIncreased irritabilityLack of energyFrequent forgetfulnessDifficulty focusing Varna said it's crucial for partners to be part of the conversation to help ease what she described as an invisible load for women. "We see that the dads are involved in things that might be monthly or quarterly, looking at the finances, cutting the grass – all of these things happen at a less frequent cadence than the daily minutia," she said. "Coming to the table and saying … 'what can I own? What responsibility?' … Rolling your sleeves up, getting to the dishes and unloading them before you need to be asked." It's important for women to express how they're feeling, Varner added, saying partners "simply showing up and saying 'talk to me about what you're experiencing,' which is stressed out, burden, unseen, undervalued, under appreciated," is helpful. She emphasized the impact on women whose primary role is caregiver. "I feel like a lot of women who are staying at home and caregiving are not getting that value. So we want to make sure we check in with them and even just to say, 'What can I do to help you? Talk to me about what you're going through and how can we prevent this as a team?' That feeling of you're with me, you're on my side. So many times, women tell me, 'I don't feel like I have a partner,'" Varner said. How to share the mental load:Acknowledge itInitiate household tasksRegular, open communicationShare planning and decision making "Take something permanently off our plate," Varner advised partners. For women who need or want help, she said, "if you're going to ask your partner for more help you cannot throw the kitchen sink at them … Don't say 'you're a horrible person. You don't love me. You're not there for me.'" Instead, she suggested women try saying, "I love it when you do all these things, when you ask me how I feel, when you ask me how my day was, when get in there and you roll up your sleeves and you're doing the dishes, when you say 'you know what, I'll do the pickup today. You know what, 'I'll do the pickup every Tuesday, Wednesday.'" Teen questioned after family's quadruple murder Iranians evacuate capital Tehran, some say the regime is frightened Parents, brother of slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman speak about her death
CBS News
18-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Research shows moms overwhelmingly carry the workload at home. Here's how partners can help.
Research shows moms carry most of the mental work load when it comes to managing responsibilities at home. A report published in the Journal of Marriage and Family found women manage 71% of family tasks such as planning, organizing and scheduling. "I think the number should be higher," board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Sue Varma told "CBS Mornings." Board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Sue Varma on "CBS Mornings' on June 18, 2025. CBS News Varma said it's not only the cognitive overload that women face, but the emotional impact as well. "A child is often turning to the mother in most cases, assuming it's a heterosexual couple, for comfort, and the school is calling the mother when the child is sick and who's taking time off from work? So all of it comes back down to the woman often," she explained. Mental load impacts can include: Persistent feelings of anxiety Sleep disturbances Increased irritability Lack of energy Frequent forgetfulness Difficulty focusing Varna said it's crucial for partners to be part of the conversation to help ease what she described as an invisible load for women. "We see that the dads are involved in things that might be monthly or quarterly, looking at the finances, cutting the grass – all of these things happen at a less frequent cadence than the daily minutia," she said. "Coming to the table and saying … 'what can I own? What responsibility?' … Rolling your sleeves up, getting to the dishes and unloading them before you need to be asked." It's important for women to express how they're feeling, Varner added, saying partners "simply showing up and saying 'talk to me about what you're experiencing,' which is stressed out, burden, unseen, undervalued, under appreciated," is helpful. She emphasized the impact on women whose primary role is caregiver. "I feel like a lot of women who are staying at home and caregiving are not getting that value. So we want to make sure we check in with them and even just to say, 'What can I do to help you? Talk to me about what you're going through and how can we prevent this as a team?' That feeling of you're with me, you're on my side. So many times, women tell me, 'I don't feel like I have a partner,'" Varner said. How to share the mental load: Acknowledge it Initiate household tasks Regular, open communication Share planning and decision making "Take something permanently off our plate," Varner advised partners. For women who need or want help, she said, "if you're going to ask your partner for more help you cannot throw the kitchen sink at them … Don't say 'you're a horrible person. You don't love me. You're not there for me.'" Instead, she suggested women try saying, "I love it when you do all these things, when you ask me how I feel, when you ask me how my day was, when get in there and you roll up your sleeves and you're doing the dishes, when you say 'you know what, I'll do the pickup today. You know what, 'I'll do the pickup every Tuesday, Wednesday.'"
CBS News
21-02-2025
- General
- CBS News
Do you have a favorite child? Here's what factors research says contribute to perception
A new study from Brigham Young University found that parental favoritism is real and that factors like gender, birth order and a child's temperament can serve as influences. The study, which was done in Europe and North America, looked at data from 20,000 people and showed parents tend to favor daughters slightly more than sons. "We have to keep in mind that culture plays a big difference," said Dr. Sue Varma, a board-certified psychiatrist, on "CBS Mornings." "I know my Asian and South Asian friends will say, 'Daughters? Are you kidding me? No, the sons are the favorite children.'" Varma, author of the book "Practical Optimism," said in addition to traditions and culture, it's also about perception. "A lot of times, the agreeable child may get less attention even though they are the favored child," she said. "The parent is like, 'I need to focus on the child that needs me more,' the kid that's having rebellious behavior or oppositional." Varma said daughters are sometimes favored because they are often considered "easier to parent." "Part of what makes parenting easier for some parents is, 'Is my kid also agreeable and conscientious and diligent and dutiful and obedient and respectful?'" Varma explained. "If a parent feels insecure or that the child is demanding too much, it makes the parents feel less competent and therefore shows less favoritism to the child." She said the key for parents is listening. "So you may say, 'What constitutes favoritism?' Is it how much time you spend with me? Is it how much affection? I think parents really need to listen to the kid and validate what they're expressing," Varma said. Tips for parents Varma offered advice on how not to show favoritism, including: Listen to your child's complaints Don't get defensive Validate your child's experience Spend one-on-one time Invest in your child's talents Another tip from Varma: "Don't dismiss what your child is saying and try to spend more one-on-one time if there's multiple children."
