Britain heading for 'epidemic' of winter blues after miserable summer

The relentless rain and dark skies mean that many sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) will be starting the autumn already depressed.

Their anxiety has been made worse by the string of national crises over the last few months which have brought floods, foot and mouth disease and now the threat of banking chaos to the UK, psychologists say.

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An estimated one person in 20 suffers from a serious SAD-related depression, while one in eight say they suffer from "blues", lethargy and loss of libido because of lack of sunshine in the winter.

Normally, the summer months offer victims some respite.

Although the last couple of weeks have seen some belated sunshine after months of rain and overcast skies, experts say it is too little, too late.

Dr Natasha Bijlani, a mental health expert at the Priory in south-west London, said: "I'm sure this unpleasant summer may have an effect."

"Poor weather that's associated with a lack of sunlight has an effect on some sufferers so I think those already susceptible will be even more vulnerable this winter."

SAD is linked to the number of hours of sunshine and its intensity.

Over the last few months, sufferers have reported symptoms of depression, lethargy, anxiety, overeating, loss of libido and mood swings.

Eryl Price, a spokesman for Outside In, a company that sells light therapy boxes to SAD victims, said: "In June, the last month where we have figures, sales were three times higher than normal for the time of year."

"In August we were seeing four times as many clicks on our online adverts as normal - it was more like the response we get in November."

"It was still pretty gloomy in June."

"Normally sales tail off in March and don't get going again until the end of August when people start to think about winter. But they have been ticking over all summer."

"On the forum on our website SAD sufferers have been saying how difficult it has been. People are more anxious because normally they look forward to the summer - and they didn't get one this year."

The Seasonal Affective Disorder Association estimates that half a million Britons suffer from the condition between September and April.

Studies have shown that the condition can be eased with bright light therapy, antidepressants and psychotherapy.

Dr David Lewis, a psychologist who researches SAD, believes the gloomy summer may make things worse over the winter.

"There are two elements to Seasonal Affective Disorder," he said. "The first is the biochemical element where the body does not function properly in the absence of sunlight."

"There is also a psychological effect. Because we expect the weather to be good in the summer, when it is windy and wet and grey, so there's this double whammy of a bad summer, and the fact that their expectations are not met."

"So for people who experience the psychological effect, there is likely to be a cumulative impact from the bad summer."

It's not just the lack of sunlight that has seen winter blues arriving early.

The torrential floods of June and July left thousands of homeless and vulnerable to depression.

Farmers have been under stress from the foot and mouth epidemic which began in early August and is still yet to be wiped out.

And the problems with Northern Rock have added to people's insecurity.

"I'm a big believer in the national psyche," said Dr Lewis.

"The financial problems, concerns about housing and the Northern Rock situation is likely to make people even more depressed - particularly after the bad summer."