If you have the idea of suicide, or someone you know is in direct danger, you should call 911 (or your country’s Local emergency line) or go to the emergency room. It means that this is a psychiatric emergency and someone is required to be trained in this situation.
On a gray, rainy day in March 2024, Dr. Norman Rosenthal, a professor of clinical psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine, called me from Maryland to discuss Euphoria in spring sarcastically. Rosenthal, the first to describe seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a depression caused by seasonal changes (usually winter), pioneered by Phototherapy As a treatment for this disease.
At the beginning of our call, Rosenthal considered how the weather contrasted with the sunny weather earlier this week, clashing with the current theme: the mood of spring. “Then I realized it was part of the troubles of spring,” he mused. “Yesterday, it was so good, maybe tomorrow or the next day, but it’s up and down.”
How the winter to spring transition affects us
We’ve talked a lot Health Impacts In winter, daylight saves time and mood down, but the vibrant, sometimes unstable effects of spring are worth mentioning. For many Seasonal affective disorderThe first gust of spring air can bring great energy, mood improvement, and even mild euphoria. This is not a medical term, but we can also call it “spring fever.”
When someone who grew up in the Midwest and now lives on the East Coast, I have been counting on the first few days of spring to strengthen my mood and reinvigorate me. For me, the transition from dark to light, bitter to sunny frozen soil is like the first few sips of coffee and warmth The sun hits your face. Judging from the number of people who were suddenly inspired Clean their home And our nature Attract the sun As a human, I know I’m not alone.
But, like spring, our mood and reasons are far from direct, he notes that it is not like “It’s dark, it’s sunny now; I’m sad; I’m sad, and I’m happy now.” Not only will it feel rejoiced during the first warm week, it suggests that mental health conditions that need attention, such as bipolar disorder or other mood disorders, but the up and down nature of spring can bring other factors that affect our mood, such as changing relationships, date changes, etc.
“These things have to be accommodated by your biology and your psychology,” Rosenthal said. Defeat sadness.
Why You May Feel Vibrant in Early Spring
Spring brings more exposure opportunities for many people. As humans, we are biologically effective in benefiting from the sunshine, our Sleeping method Or the circadian rhythm depends on it. We tend to get better when we get the right amount of sun exposure Body and Spirit. (As long as you protect your skin and Eyecertainly. )
“The spring sunshine will certainly make a difference,” said Dr. Natasha Bhuyan, a family physician based in Arizona. She said that sunshine improves our mood in several different ways.
“The sun can actually help lower melatonin levels, so we don’t feel sleepy during the day,” Bhuyan explained. “The sun can also help increase the neurotransmitter serotonin.”Feel good“Chemical.
Additionally, the extra sun, especially in the late afternoon when people get off work or graduate, makes us more social and even more likely to exercise – two separate factors can enhance mood.
Now it’s time to add some nuances: Some people may report greater mood changes in spring than others in spring. They may come out of the symptoms of grief, which is the seasonal depression that winter brings in most (not all).
Additionally, some people are prone to experiencing more intense mood swings or may be more sensitive to serotonin due to depression, Rosenthal said.
“The lack of light is frustrating among people with bipolar tendencies,” he explained. “The expansion of light is activate.”
In this case, Rosenthal notes that the “bipolar trend” means not only those with clinically relevant bipolar disorder, but also others who have experienced more up and down moods and may be “more susceptible to spring impacts than factory running.”
“In every mental state, it’s a question of degree,” Rosenthal said, adding that it’s important how it affects your quality of life.
“Based on the iconic sign, euphoria or bad things are good or bad,” he said. “For most people, it’s welcome energy and emotions and something to celebrate.”
Read more: The morning sun improves my sleep: That’s why you should
Why You May Feel “Disenged” in Spring
If you’ve just read all the good news about the sun and its positive impact on our mood, but you’re craving morning sun or rolling up from March’s clock adjustments, you’re not without benefits: Negative impact Negative impact Related to the time of daylight saving time, many of which are related to that hour of sleep, we lose sleep deprivation trick streaming effect.
There are also Better to be lighter and darkerdepending on factors like your family’s schedule and preferences – negating all the feeling of “happy” warm weather, and later sunsets will pop up a little.
Another reason Rosenthal mentioned about spring may have a negative impact on someone’s mood: the ups and downs of the weather and the way we try to follow our natural environment. For example, people who need it may not use light boxes or Treatment lamp He explained that because yesterday was super poor, although today was a dull day.
“It may be a bit frustrating,” Rosenthal said.
Bhuyan agrees that dramatic weather spring can attract and its impact on some people.
“Sudden changes in the weather do affect people’s mood,” she said.
SAD is not limited to winter, because it only appears to affect people’s mood. Summer sadness It will also greatly affect people’s mood. For those who experience depression or other symptoms during the warmer months, whether it is spring or summer, they may have less support because people have a weaker understanding of what is going on. For example, people who experience sadness in the summer may sleep less than more and feel more irritable or upset Compared to the “typical” of winter.
“For many people who suffer from seasonal affective disorder in the spring, it’s more isolated because it’s not well recognized,” Bhuyan said.
When euphoria is a problem
For having Bipolar disorder Or another mental health condition, sunshine or spring will trigger Maniawhich may include energy, thoughts, racing thoughts, and extraordinary plans or actions that may or will not be harmful to you. You may feel very upset or very happy.
Research shows that suicide rates are higher in spring and summer. We may expect darker, colder times like winter. In addition to mania and its Link to suicide and depressionand there are some information that can suggest inflammation and allergies associated with spring and depression Probably a contributing factor. Experts also theoretically Emphasize social interaction Relationships in spring and summer may also work, and those who feel frustrated or restless during the warmer months may I feel like they missed it.
But the reasons behind the pattern are not entirely clear. “It tells me clearly that there is a deeper connection to mental health issues,” Buyan said of the lack of certainty research.
When to repeat or revitalize spring emotions may require more attention or help mental health providers, Bhuyan and Rosenthal identified some of the same “red flags” that suggest you can benefit from management or treatment plans. Here’s something to note:
Lack of sleep: If you are Skip sleep Because you feel like you don’t need it, or you’re too upset to rest, this means the problem.
You are irritated: Except for extreme euphoria, happiness, euphoria or top of the world Rosenthal said spring mood troughs may also have “quality of irritability.”
Others are commenting: If you have a shocking new plan buzzing throughout your life, you’ll chat in ways that people can’t understand until four-point cleaning or anything else that’s different, you might start saying something. If they do, listen to them because it is one of the most important signs of euphoria or happiness that may be more extreme and guarantee the help of medical professionals.
And if a friend or someone you know is acting with a normal person, don’t stick out your tongue out of worrying about driving them crazy or hurting your feelings.
“Please make sure to mention it to them, because they may not notice it themselves,” Bunyan said.
Impulsive decision: Bhuyan said spending a lot of money, making a lot of life choices that you don’t usually make, or other “non-blue” choices can also mean you are at risk of mania.
These are just some banners of experiences worth paying attention to by healthcare providers; other things besides spring or seasonal changes Can trigger mania Or a mental health crisis. If you are considering suicide, or you are considering performing an act that may harm you, call 911 or tell someone nearby so they can help you get help or call emergency services. According to Harvard School of Public Health, a suicide crisis, someone at risk of dying may be short-lived Questions of hours or even minuteshelping immediately is crucial.
