hi Deb,

As a matter of fact, there IS a summer SAD. I'm having difficulty locating any meaningful information online ... there's a book though, "Don't be SAD", by Celeste Peters, well-written and a whole chapter devoted to the spring/summer depressive pattern. Your library might have a copy to borrow.

It seems the summer variant is mediated more by a thermal dysregulation ... ie, it's the heat and humidity .. more than lack or excess of available sunlight. As with all areas of our mental well-being though, no studies conclusive ... and most theories are just that .. theories. One theory suggests the heat factor affects the sleep patterns, hence you become lethargic, lack energy and just generally blah. The bright light therapy, so helpful for winter SAD (I use a lightbox myself, it makes all the difference in the world ... but I digress ....) is less effective for summer SAD. Cooler climate, getting sleep patterns regulated, and dietary control (in particular carbs, go figure ) ... plus SSRI medications appear to be more helpful.

Here are some links to web articles about SAD, with a brief mention given to summer symptoms in each.

• http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30...tories/s230.htm
  
• http://www.brown.edu/Administration.../v22n9/SAD.html
  
• http://www.outsidein.co.uk/index.htm ... Outside-In is an excellent information site for SAD and other "bodyclock" related problems. I recommend it highly. Use their search engine to find info. on summer symptoms (there's not a lot, but the site is still well worth a visit)

Doreen