I have had both summer SAD as long as I can remember and winter SAD since my 20's, but here i will talk only of summer SAD. I have researched it until I am sick to death of it, but here goes. Hope this helps.

SSRI's do not usually help with summer SAD, welbutrin is the best thing for that if you want to take something. You are not lacking in serotonin because of light as in winter SAD.

Summer SAD usually brings on extreme irritability. Sleep disruptions. I get food sensitivities that can bring on diarrhea. This is along with the usual depressive symptoms. I actually started smoking during July one year when I was so ticked at my ex-boss. I was absolutely enraged over something trivial and somehow just knew smoking would make me feel better. And it did. But now I am hooked. (Smoking increases dopamine).

Well, I finally "beat it" this year. I stayed inside all summer. Yep, that is what I did. Took no medicine. Didn't even go out in the mornings because it was so hot this year. No matter what needed to get done, I stayed inside. When I mowed, I did it in the early morning on the weekends. This was really tough because I am an avid gardener. But I finally had a somewhat sane summer for the first time ever. Unlike winter SAD, and even though I believe that part of it is the light, I think a bigger part of it is the heat. I did not open my shades this year either. I bascially went from house to car to work and back again.

I always knew I "hated" summer, but just thought it was because I go sunburned so easily. Now I know why.

My husband talks endlessly about moving to the beach or a warmer climate...no way. Because even tho' I have both winter and summer SAD, the summer stuff is harder to contain and deal with.

I just read the other day that SAD affects children of alcholics more often than any other. I already knew it was hereditary. Both my daughters already have it.

Hope this info helps somewhat.