July 4 and the summer holidays have arrived. For women with mental health and substance abuse issues, summer can be an emotionally difficult time of year. Culturally, summer is known as a time to enjoy vacation, relax and feel carefree. Yet for women suffering from mental illness, this cultural expectation can aggravate anxiety, grief and depression.
While winter weather is well known for causing seasonal depression, summer can be equally distressing. Despite the long and sunny days, summer depression is actually quite common. Rising temperatures and high humidity both increase irritability and depression. Women are also more likely to stay inside where sunshine cannot stimulate the body’s production of mood-boosting vitamin D.
The vacation season can be especially difficult for women dealing with bereavement and loss. There is nothing more painful for a woman dealing with grief than to find herself alone, emotionally hungry and unable to process her loss. Summer can be very triggering, making women more likely to isolate and thus worsen their condition.
Although women may be reluctant to seek treatment during the summer holidays, their wellbeing, happiness and future may depend on this help. This summer, Brookhaven Retreat encourages women to note how they feel and what aspects of their schedule could be causing them to feel this way. Residential treatment can help develop the self-awareness and confidence needed to manage emotions and behaviors that contribute to summertime depression.
