The summertime is known for vacations, family gatherings, warm weather and just feeling happy overall; at least that can often be our expectation. The “blues” can happen to anyone anytime and is quite normal – even in the summertime known for fun. The “summer blues” is usually short lived and can include mild feelings of sadness, lower energy and maybe some brief moments of anxiety. With some time and patience, the blues will usually disappear.
But what if that is not your experience? What if you are doing all the things expected of the summer: vacations, parties, family gatherings, and you do not feel like yourself? What if you are missing loved ones? Still recuperating and dealing with our on-going battle with Covid 19? The list can go on and on. What if your symptoms are lasting longer than a few days and become more intense and severe? Perhaps your summer blues have turned into something more significant?
Sadly, summertime does not always mean we will be happy. Life keeps presenting us with challenges no matter the time of year. Your summer blues may actually be depression or anxiety to name a few. Here are some symptoms and changes to be aware of that may indicate mental health concerns or diagnosis’ and that it’s time to seek professional help; increased and daily depression or sadness, tearfulness, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, isolation from loved ones and friends, changes in sleep and eating patterns, increased worry, fears about one’s future, increased agitation, physical symptoms that have not resolved after medical intervention like heart racing, sweating, chronic headaches etc… Some people even begin to feel hopeless about their lives and have suicidal thoughts. If you have any or some of these changes in mood, consider seeking mental health treatment. ETHOS Treatment can offer you a comprehensive assessment and make recommendations for appropriate mental health treatment and services. Certainly, if you’re having hopeless thoughts, thoughts of not wanting to wake up in the morning, or suicidal thoughts please go to your closest emergency room/ crisis center or call National Suicide Prevention Line at 988.
If you are struggling with something beyond “the summer blues” help is only a phone call away.