The waiting-rooms of two categories of professional tend to be unusually full around this time of year: those of divorce lawyers and of psychotherapists. In the first case, the reason’s obvious. During vacation time couples are usually pushed together more than usual and may decide they have had enough of each other; they may also have an opportunity for a bit of hanky-panky in the sun and that can only make things worse.

“Post-vacation blues”
But leaving aside these conjugal issues which can surface about now, it’s also the case that it’s not only our children who can suffer from le mal de la rentrée I wrote about in our last issue as  a problem for parents. Just as some kids get physical and mental problems as the time approaches to go back to class, so a significant number of adults admit to post-vacation blues. Psychologist David Servan-Schreiber insists that this is quite normal, explaining that “very often the reason is partly biological. It’s a confirmed fact that as the days get shorter, as the amount of light is reduced – and that’s even true in the South – there’s a reaction in the brain which we often interpret as depression”.

But there’s more to it than that. “In countries like France vacations have taken on a very special cultural character. They are intervals of leisure and pleasure which contrast with our normal day-to-day routine. We look forward to them; we regret their coming to an end. During a vacation we have an unusual liberty and, hopefully, can forget, at least partially, the pressures and preoccupations of work. And don’t forget that in many cases we live more healthily – walking, swimming, sleeping in, relaxed meals. When work looms again this feel-good factor gives way to apprehension and even resentment.”

“Return with a positive attitude”
Is that true of most people? “Of quite a few, I’d say. But one thing it depends on is whether you are more or less happy in your job. Lots of people have a pang of regret when they have to “put the collar on again” as the French phrase has it, but usually they slip back into their routine fairly quickly, although for some it takes longer than for others. If you hate your job, of course, that’s a different problem.”

What’s the best way to deal with le mal de la rentrée? “Return to work with a positive attitude. Try to take things steadily. Don’t panic if you’ve got a very full in-tray. Go through it and set priorities. During the day, it’s a good idea to offer yourself little pleasures like a coffee on a café terrace. And try to keep up some of those healthy activities you practised on vacation. Go for walks. Work out. Have a swim. You know, there doesn’t have to be a total cut-off between your holiday life-style and how you live normally. If there is, then you should rethink the way you live.” 

According to current estimates in France around 30% of the population experience some reduction of their sense of well-being as the days grow shorter; a further 10% suffer more severely and are diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Symptoms can range from fatigue and depression through joint pains and stomach upsets to extreme irritability and loss of interest in sex.

So what’s going on?
Specialists believe that the condition – which is found even in sunnier climes like ours – is a result of an imbalance in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls many basic functions. To work as it should, it needs light; if the amount of light is reduced for some people the result is SAD.

What can be done about it?
There’s an effective treatment pioneered in the Nordic countries known as luminotherapy. This extends over two to three weeks and involves exposure to high-intensity (but non-harmful) light rays emitted by special lamps. Sessions last between 30 minutes and three hours, depending on the patient’s condition. And here’s something to cheer you up: if prescribed by a doctor luminotherapy is reimbursed by la Sécu.

For information on SAD see http://www.outsidein.co.uk

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