Seasonal mood changes

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I've noticed that I get seasonal mood changes. In the winter I tend to get depressed and low energy but it's also kind of comforting because I'm an indoor person. In the summer I also get depressed, but it's a different kind of depression--it's more of a "sharp" feeling, like anxiety. In the spring I get so euphoric that it makes me think my life isn't as messed up as it is and it hinders me from responding to problems. In the fall I also get euphoric (despite the dread of winter coming), but it's somewhat more controllable. Spring and fall are generally the best times for me to socialize (in person or online).

There is actually a diagnosis called Seasonal Affective Disorder (also known as winter depression), and it's lesser known counterpart: Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder. I have also coined the terms "spring mania," and "fall mania" by myself. Right now my spring mania is out of control. It's a really good thing I have Wrong Planet as a social outlet and I know the spring mania would be even worse if I didn't.

Does anyone else get this? Does the change of seasons affect you any differently? For example, are there any people who actually get depressed during Spring? I'd be curious to know.

Yup, SAD does affect me somewhat. During the summer, I eat less, sleep less, and do more; during the winter, I eat more and tend to want to hibernate, and am more prone to depression.

Eh, I seem to have got it backwards, though I think for more practical reasons. Hate spring simply because I know summer will soon follow with its 300+ degree weather, and make me too lazy to really do much at all. Fall gets me in a much better mood, since I prefer cooler weather, the foliage and trees make for much better looking scenery, it gets darker out sooner, etc. Though I may be biased a bit since my birthday's in november. I've started to dislike snow a bit, though I guess that's only natural, but I still don't mind it near as much as summer.

Oh my gosh, yes I was just thinking about this the other day. When I was younger I've always hated winter and loved summer. Now that I'm home most of the time I've had this thing where I still hate freezing my bottom off in the winter but on the other hand it's more comforting to me because it's dark a lot and most people spend a lot of time indoors which I like doing. Now that it''s almost summer the weather's been bright and gorgeous out. I love that you don't have to bundle up into layers of clothes and I like the warm weather but I have to go outside more and it's so freaking bright and my anxiety just comes flooding in. I think I understand how you feel. The weather change can be a scary thing, especially if you're agoraphobic.

I get depressed in the winter months and eat more. I get depressed in early spring, but I think this is because I have light asthma and the extremely high pollen counts in my area drain all my strength. I am happier usually in the summer months, eat less and exercise more, and that will go until fall and the changing of the seasons.

I tend to have a limited apetite, too, during summer SAD season. And want to sleep more during winter. Nothing quite like a good heavy blanket for comfort. During the summer, I miss being able to have a blanket to cuddle under.

I get really down in the winter and I have done for years.

My worst season is winter for three reasons. I don't like cold, layers of clothing, and dark. Spring perhaps is the most loved season of all to me, I'm almost having a manic period now. Yes, summer is a bit too warm, sometimes too bright, and almost certainly makes me tired, drained, not to mention gnats, but there's so much opportunity to go out to the wilderness, forests, go to hiking, cycling, spend much time outside. I like the first half of autumn / fall, I love the beautiful autumn colors of forests, but as the weather becomes cold and the light recedes more and more my mood becomes more gloomy, too.

(edit: grammar...)

Last edited by OJani on 25 Mar 2012, 2:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Not me but I know a friend who is noticeably affected (but still not too badly, borderline between normal and it being a disorder) and lots and lots of other people who I know seem affected as well, albeit much less so. Still enough for me to feel weird about every other person being all moody and suddenly harder to communicate with.

Wow! Today I noticed three threads in General Autism that somehow deal with uncontrollable daydreaming. I daydream all the time (regardless of the season), but it's sharper and even less controllable during the spring mania and fall mania seasons. How many of you notice that your daydreams are harder to ignore this time of year?

Summer gives me anxiety and makes me feel trapped. I cant escape the heat and humidity and its so bright all of the time. Basically I just stay indoors for three months.

Winter makes me feel blah, no motivation, but I enjoy the darkness and sleeping under lots of blankets.

Spring and fall equal HAPPINESS!

I love winter, cold and dark.

Summer is OK too, warm nights.

Fall is fine, going to winter.

Spring, blech.

Winter = depression
summer = lots of activity and happiness.
where I live spring and fall also have a lot sun so I like those two seasons.

I find summer is when I feel lethargic, grumpy and I feel yuk I can't go for walks and I hibernate with the air conditioner on, winter is so much nicer I can go for long walks and I feel so much better.

Same here!

I always get depressed in the winter, but i never heard of SAD, interesting to know though :) I'm actually glad that winter is finally over, and i hope i feel better soon.