The therapist named the reasons for the feelings of guilt and anxiety in the last weeks of August

At the end of August, many people begin to experience anxiety, irritation, and guilt due to the fact that summer passed too quickly and planned tasks remained unfulfilled. This reaction is called "underachievement" syndrome, and it is not a diagnosis, but a common psychological condition. Irina Krashkina, a psychotherapist at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg clinic), PhD, told Izvestia about this on August 6.

"The feeling that a person has not done anything is rarely associated with the actual number of completed tasks. It often arises from high expectations, the habit of comparing oneself with others, and the tendency to notice one's own failures more than achievements," the specialist noted.

According to the doctor, one of the reasons for this condition is an attempt to accommodate too many goals in a short summer period. Some people plan travel, repairs, sports, meetings with loved ones, and professional tasks at the same time, and then they get frustrated if they can't complete the entire list.

Others, on the contrary, constantly postpone their rest, hoping to do it later. As a result, summer is ending, but there is still no sense of recovery. By the end of August, anxiety may increase due to the perception of this month as a kind of border. A person begins to mentally summarize and evaluate the past months, although there are no objective reasons to consider summer a "completed exam."

"August is perceived as a symbolic border. We are starting to mentally summarize the results, although there is no objective reason to do so right now. There is a feeling of lost time, and with it the desire to urgently make up for everything that did not work out," Krashkina explained.

Social media has an additional impact. Photos of vacations, trips, and bright events give the impression that other people had a richer and more successful summer. At the same time, users usually see only the best moments of someone else's life, and not everyday difficulties.

A small life: how can a child spend the summer profitably

Long vacations can be used to repeat school material, but do not forget about rest.

Cognitive biases are another factor. A person can devalue their own achievements, focus only on unfulfilled tasks and perceive the situation according to the "all or nothing" principle.

According to the therapist, the reason to seek help appears if the feeling of inadequacy persists for a long time and is accompanied by constant anxiety, sleep disorders, loss of interest in habitual activities or communication problems.

"It is important to remember that summer is not an exam that you can pass "perfectly" or fail. Its value is not measured by the number of trips, photos, or completed goals," the specialist emphasized.

Instead of a harsh assessment of the past months, the doctor recommends conducting a calm analysis: pay attention not only to what could not be done, but also to the experience gained and the results achieved. Also, do not try to urgently fulfill all deferred plans. According to Krashkina, it is more effective to select several really important tasks and divide them into small stages.

The specialist noted that avoiding comparisons with other people's expectations helps to reduce anxiety. In this case, the feeling of "I didn't have time" may turn not into a source of guilt, but into a calm motivation to move on.

Alexander Yuzhalin, head of SuperJob's legal practice, said on July 31 that in 2027, March, July, August, September and December will be the most favorable months for taking a vacation from a financial point of view. He noted that the presence of holidays and additional days off does not affect the salary amount — the employee receives it in full, regardless of the number of working days per month. However, the cost of one working day varies.