Smithsonian Magazine has an in-depth article on seasonal affective disorder. The article covers the differences, symptoms and current understandings of winter SAD and summer SAD.
“Often times, children and adolescents experience an increase in depression and anxiety in the summer months. Increased freedom and lack of structure can lead to an increase in mental health symptoms. A lot of youth experience less social connection in summer leading to increased feelings of loneliness, isolation, and withdrawal which can thus lead to deeper depression and anxiety.” says Lauren Lawson, Psy.D., LMFT, Clinical Program Manager, START Program at Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families.
Because SAD may trigger deeper depression in your child, it’s important to know what your options as a parent are. That’s why the START program at Casa Pacifica is here.
At Casa Pacifica, we help kids and families to overcome some of life’s most difficult circumstances – trauma, complex emotional and behavioral issues, family crises and other emotionally-based challenges. Call us at (805) 366-4000 for a confidential conversation, to help you in these circumstances.