With all due respect to winter, summer can also bring the blues just as much for people with addiction and mental health issues. For starters, the addiction cycle happens all year round. Not to mention, extremely hot temperatures can lead us to isolate inside just as much as winter weather. If you suffer from the summer blues, let’s take a look at what could be causing it.
Seasonal Trauma
Seasonal trauma isn’t an official term from the field of psychology, but it’s a fitting phrase I use to describe past traumatic events that seem to revisit us during the same seasons every year. If something bad happened to you years ago in the beginning of June that caused you a bunch of pain, you may feel squirrelly every beginning of June. And the interesting part is, you may not even remember what’s coming up. Even though your mind can’t remember everything in order to protect itself, your body remembers. Ever heard of the book The Body Keeps the Score?
Family Stress
Summer can be a stressful time, especially for those with kids. One day they’re gone for 7 hours a day, and now suddenly they’re around all the time, needing love and attention. It can be draining to say the least. Summer is also the season of two major holidays, tons of birthdays, graduations, and the biggest one of all… family vacations. That’s a lot for any adult to handle.
Depression
It’s also possible you simply have depression this summer. Do you feel down just as you did in the winter? Are you lacking excitement, motivation, and energy? Is there overwhelming sadness that causes you to not leave the house? These are all signs of various forms of depression. Talk with your doctor, therapist, or psychiatrist (if you have one) to come up with a treatment plan.
If you feel it’s time to treat addiction issues in your life with detox, please reach out to us today.