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Researchers say all the sunshine most have enjoyed can cause depression much like winter seasonal affective disorder. (AP Photo/File)

Depressed? It could be all the sunshine

BY Josh Kerns  on October 9, 2012 @ 12:30 pm (Updated: 2:41 pm - 10/9/12 )

With just four hours of rain total since July 22, Western Washington has enjoyed a virtually unprecedented run of sunny weather. But not everyone's happy about it. Just as our persistent grey can cause seasonal affective disorder, experts say too much sunshine can also cause depression.

Doctors say summer depression only affects about one percent of the population, who tend to sleep and eat less, lose weight and generally experience a heightened state of agitation, NBC News reports.

Dr. Norman Rosenthal, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical School, says summer depression was first recognized back in 1986. He says while first thought to be tied to heat and humidity, it's also believed to be caused by excessive light that can cause problems with some people's circadian rhythms.

Dr. Alfred Lewy, a professor of psychiatry at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, says he's been successful treating some patients with the hormone melatonin, which can trick the body's natural cycles into getting back in sync with the sun.

"I can't tell you have many people have told me that the incessant sun and warmth is getting them down, making them feel anxious or depressed," says University of Washington meteorologist and Northwest weather guru Cliff Mass in a post on his blog.

But Mass says those who suffer from too much sun can rest easy. He's forecasting a heavy wave of rain to move into Western Washington by the weekend, bringing up to five inches in the Cascades and Olympics by Saturday night.

"Our dry spell will end in a bang, if not a flood," Mass writes.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (17)


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  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    In other words...
    October 9, 2012 1:53 pm
    Everyone should go see a psychiatrist and give them some money for time and pills they don't need.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TwoTrees wrote...
    ""I can't tell you have many people have told me that the incessant sun and warmth is getting them down, making them feel anxious or depressed," says University of Washington meteorologist and Northwest weather guru Cliff Mass..."
    October 9, 2012 1:56 pm
    It's official: Seattle is the whiniest city in the nation. "I just can't take it anymore...[sniff, sniff]...all this sunshine and warmth...[sniffle]...it's HORRIBLE!"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    @JoshKerns
    October 9, 2012 2:14 pm
    ~~~~~~~~~BEE ESS~~~~~~~

    I have never been happier with all the sunshine. I will worry about the snow pack later.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • C"mon Man wrote...
    1-800-...................
    October 9, 2012 2:20 pm
    Stay tuned,soon you will be see "Disaster" Jim Foreman , waist deep in Snohomish River water in Monroe after record rainfall!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cobradvm wrote...
    What utter BS
    October 9, 2012 2:41 pm
    This is the biggest load of crap I've heard in a long time. I'd be thrilled if we could get another 4 months of this - bring on the climate change!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hnuh wrote...
    10-09-2012 Depressed? It could be all the...
    October 9, 2012 2:49 pm
    cheezzz! Is there nothing you gimps won't complain about? Anything?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    And here dated grunt
    October 9, 2012 3:08 pm
    I was just thinking that about you.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Saltchucker wrote...
    I'll admit to getting twitchy.
    October 9, 2012 2:50 pm
    Yep, this Native Washingtonian does not care for all this sun. I think my circadian rythums are just fine however. I've been comparing this year to 1991 quite a bit. Too dry, lucky, lucky us to get the late snowpack. The real thing that DOES make me ill about too much fry weather is how NASTY our air quality gets! How can anyone declare how wonderful the sunny weather is when one can not even see our mountains through the haze of smog?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Well all these whinney little crybabies are about to get their wish!
    October 9, 2012 2:59 pm
    Their precious rain is on it's way back! And in a few months they will be screaming about all the rain and grey!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ye Olde Hagge wrote...
    Saltchucker is right
    October 9, 2012 3:21 pm
    I am NOT going to complain about the sun, but with all the smoke from east of the moutains and all the smog and gunk that is floating in the air??? I live in Orting and have a wonderful view of Mt. Rainier driving into town on a clear day, but unless it's windy ugly. There have been a few days that I can barely even see the Mountain even in downtown Orting where the view is one of the best.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    The view of the volcano is mostly obscured by
    October 9, 2012 3:25 pm
    the smoke from the Eastern Washington wildfires drifting across the Cascades to the coast!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }