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Still feel SAD? Why spring doesn't always bring joy

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date16 April 2024
Publication titleHuddersfield Daily Examiner
But sometimes, even when the days are starting to get warmer and brighter, the new season instead seems to bring a wave of low energy and a dip in mood

This is sometimes known as 'spring asthenia', spring fatigue or springtime lethargy.

So what is it, and how do you know if you are dealing with it? What's going on?

There are a number of theories when it comes to spring asthenia or spring fatigue. While not medically recognised as a diagnosable condition, many people are familiar with the concept of hitting a bit of a slump as the season shifts. But usually, these changes will be temporary and manageable.

Dr Sharma

However, it's important to note that changes in mood and energy that seem to occur at certain times of the year could also be signs of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression which the NHS states can sometimes affect people in the summer as well as in winter.

"It causes symptoms of depression to emerge in the late spring to early summer months. Unlike the more prevalent SAD that is linked to shorter days and reduced sunlight exposure in the winter months, the exact causes of spring-onset SAD are not as well understood," says Dr Ashwin

Sharma, a clinical content lead and medical doctor at online pharmacy MedExpress.

"Some theories suggest the lengthening days and increased light exposure in spring may disrupt circadian rhythms and melatonin production in certain individuals, triggering depressive symptoms," Dr Sharma adds. "Others hypothesise that allergies or sudden temperature changes common during seasonal transitions could play a role." What are the...

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