When most people think of summer, they imagine carefree vacations, long sunny days, and a general sense of freedom and joy. However, for many individuals, the summer months bring with them unexpected and often misunderstood mental health challenges. At Triumph Behavioral Health, we have worked with countless individuals who find summer to be more overwhelming than uplifting.
Understanding these seasonal stressors is key to offering support, promoting self-awareness, and reducing the stigma around summer-related mental health concerns. Today, we are going to take a closer look at some common mental health challenges during the summer. If you find that you relate to any of these scenarios, it is never too soon to reach out to our team of licensed PMHNPs and get the support you need and deserve.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (Summer-Onset SAD)
While Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is typically associated with the winter months, a lesser-known variant occurs during the summer. Summer-onset SAD can present with symptoms such as insomnia, irritability, restlessness, agitation, and even anxiety. The increased daylight hours can disrupt melatonin production and circadian rhythms, leading to sleep disturbances and mood swings.
People often dismiss these symptoms because of the assumption that sunshine and warmth naturally equate to happiness. However, for those experiencing summer-onset SAD, these changes can feel alienating, particularly when everyone else seems to be enjoying the season.
Heat and Mental Health
Excessive heat is not just physically draining. It can also impact mental health. Studies have shown that extreme temperatures are associated with increased irritability, agitation, and even higher rates of emergency psychiatric visits. Individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions, such as mood disorders or schizophrenia, may find their symptoms worsening during heatwaves.
Additionally, many psychiatric medications affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature, making people more vulnerable to dehydration and heat-related stress. This creates a compounding effect that can lead to physical discomfort, emotional instability, and even hospitalization if not managed properly.
Body Image and Self-Esteem
Summer brings with it a cultural emphasis on physical appearance: think “beach bodies,” swimsuits, and social media portrayals of “ideal” summer looks. For individuals struggling with body image concerns, eating disorders, or low self-esteem, these pressures can be triggering and disheartening.
This heightened focus can intensify pre-existing insecurities or even lead to disordered eating behaviors. At Triumph Behavioral Health, we often work with clients during the summer to develop self-compassionate coping strategies, challenge negative thought patterns, and build a healthier relationship with their bodies.
Disrupted Routines and Loss of Structure
Many people, especially students, parents, and teachers, experience a drastic shift in routine during the summer months. While the lack of structure can feel freeing at first, it often leads to increased anxiety, depression, or lack of motivation – especially for individuals who rely on daily schedules to maintain their mental health.
Without the structure of school, work, or regular activities, it’s easy to fall into inconsistent sleep patterns, poor eating habits, and decreased physical activity, all of which can contribute to a decline in mental well-being.
Social Comparison and the Fear of Missing Out
With the rise of social media, summer is a prime time for highlight reels: vacations, parties, and picture-perfect outings. For those experiencing loneliness, financial limitations, or mental health challenges, watching others seemingly thrive during the summer can create feelings of inadequacy and social isolation.
Fear of missing out, or FOMO, can lead to increased depressive symptoms, anxiety, and self-doubt. Clients often report feeling “left out” or “behind” in life during the summer months, even if they are doing well in other areas. Summer can be a season when comparison becomes more frequent and more painful.
Substance Use and Risk-Taking Behaviors
Summer tends to bring a rise in social activities, parties, and outdoor gatherings, which can sometimes lead to increased alcohol and drug use. For individuals in recovery or those with a history of substance use, the season can be particularly challenging.
Warmer weather and social pressure can trigger relapse or promote risky behaviors, especially when access to substances is easier and oversight is less structured. At Triumph Behavioral Health, we emphasize prevention planning, relapse education, and healthy coping alternatives to help our clients navigate these high-risk situations.
Parenting Stress and Childcare Challenges
Summer can be a particularly stressful time for parents and caregivers. With school out of session, many families struggle to find affordable childcare or structured activities to keep children engaged. The added responsibility and financial strain can lead to increased parental stress, burnout, and mental fatigue.
Single parents, in particular, may experience a lack of support and feelings of guilt for not being able to provide an "ideal summer" experience. In therapy, we help parents set realistic expectations, prioritize self-care, and find balance amidst competing demands.
Grief and Anniversary Reactions
Summer is often associated with important life events: think weddings, family reunions, and graduations. For those who have lost loved ones, the season can bring painful reminders of absence. Anniversary reactions (a resurgence of grief around the date of a loss) can make summer emotionally challenging.
Even positive events can trigger complex feelings for individuals who are grieving or estranged from family. Holding space for these emotions and honoring personal grief journeys is an essential part of mental health care during the summer months.
Tips for Reducing Your Summertime Stress
While summer can be mentally challenging for many, there are proactive steps individuals can take to support their well-being:
Stick to a Routine: Even a loose schedule can provide stability. Prioritize consistent sleep, meals, and exercise.
Limit Screen Time and Social Media: Unplugging or setting boundaries can reduce comparison and anxiety.
Stay Cool and Hydrated: Protect both physical and mental health by avoiding overheating and drinking plenty of water.
Seek Shade and Solitude: Allow time for reflection, rest, and quiet – especially if you are often overstimulated by social obligations.
Talk to a Mental Health Professional: If summer intensifies your symptoms, don’t wait until fall to seek help. Support is available year-round.
Get the Help You Need at Triumph Behavioral Health
At Triumph Behavioral Health, we are a team of specialists who support clients in the Baltimore County area and beyond. If you are looking for a therapist in Towson or mental health care in Arbutus, we are here to help. We have two offices, one in Linthicum Heights and one in Catonsville, and we can also see clients digitally. Our guiding principle is providing a listening ear and empathetic, rewarding services for our clients. You can trust that at Triumph, we care.
Get in touch with us today to schedule your same week therapy appointment.