How to Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder in Rogers Senior Living
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can create either mild or severe symptoms in sufferers, but a combination of light therapy, antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and lifestyle changes can help relieve them.
Every fall and winter, many seniors in the Ozark Mountain city of Rogers, AR, find that they suddenly start suffering from low mood and other physical symptoms that can make everyday life much harder to bear. While there are many reasons for these types of mood changes, in many cases, the season itself and a lack of adequate sunlight exposure is to blame.
If you're experiencing SAD symptoms, however, you can take steps to reverse the disorder. Here's how you can reverse seasonal affective disorder in Rogers senior living.
Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder
If you find yourself becoming uncharacteristically depressed or sad during the colder season of the year, you should see a doctor and determine whether you're suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
As the name would suggest, SAD is typically characterized by feelings of sadness and emptiness or difficulty enjoying activities that one would otherwise enjoy. A sufferer of the condition may also feel more anxiety, general irritability, or even hopelessness.
Physical symptoms can occur as well. These could include:
- Excessive morning drowsiness and oversleeping
- Weight gain
- Appetite changes
- Fatigue
Although there is a stigma around mental health, SAD commonly shows up in adults and seniors of all ages during the fall and winter seasons, between October and February. However, the onset of SAD is tied to the amount of sunlight a person gets from day to day, so it can occur in other parts of the year as well. If a senior isn't getting enough sun exposure, they may experience symptoms.
Seniors are particularly at risk of SAD because they often deal with challenges such as isolation. They may stay inside more often, and this can cause them to get a minimal amount of sunlight, leading to Rogers, AR, senior wellness issues.
Does Vitamin D Help With Seasonal Depression?
Because seasonal depression is tied to a lack of sunlight exposure, which provides the body with vitamin D, taking a vitamin D supplement is often touted as a solution for the disorder. However, the truth is that vitamin D may or may not serve as an adequate treatment option for SAD. While some studies have shown it to be useful for seniors with a vitamin D deficiency, others have been less encouraging.
In mild cases, vitamin D may be worth trying to improve winter emotional health. Vitamin D can be useful in other ways as well. In addition to potentially helping with seasonal depression symptoms, it may also support cognitive function and the immune system, while additionally assisting with the absorption of calcium.
Especially for more severe cases, however, other types of treatment are generally recommended for seniors who are suffering from seasonal affective disorder.
What Does the Most Effective Treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder Appear to Be?
Aside from the potential assistance that vitamin D can provide sufferers of SAD, there are other treatment options as well. Usually, a combination of treatments is recommended for the best results in reversing the disorder.
Seeing a doctor is key if you want to overcome SAD. A doctor may recommend emotional wellness activities and general lifestyle changes such as staying active in colder months, spending more time outdoors, and improving sleep quality.
Light therapy is also commonly used. Light therapy serves as an artificial replacement to natural light and can help to improve serotonin and melatonin levels in the brain while resetting a patient's circadian rhythm, helping to treat SAD in the process.
Additionally, doctors may also recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques or prescribe antidepressants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Common is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal affective disorder is relatively common and has been reported to affect as many as 5% of American adults. However, the prevalence of the disorder varies based on age, location, gender, and other factors.
As with other mental health disorders, seniors may be more at risk of SAD than people in other age groups. Women tend to be most at risk of seasonal depression.
Whether you're a senior in senior living or living on your own, staying inside too long can lead to SAD. It's common to experience the disorder as you get older.
How Bad Can Seasonal Affective Disorder Be?
Symptoms of SAD can vary greatly on an individual basis, with some experiencing the seasonal mental wellness symptoms more severely than others. While many cases are mild and lead to only small mood changes, some people can experience SAD similarly to a full-blown depression. In these cases, relationships and daily activities can be affected.
If you think you may be experiencing more severe symptoms, it's important to see a doctor and get mood support in aging. Severe, untreated cases can lead to significant hardships in everyday life.
What Is the Toughest Month of SAD?
Generally, the months with the lowest amount of sunlight and shortest days are the toughest when it comes to seasonal depression. January and February are commonly seen as the most difficult since days in these months are the shortest and sunlight exposure is minimal.
If you experience symptoms of SAD, you may also find that these are the toughest months. Since you may have already begun being affected by it as early as October, the condition may worsen as the months span into late winter.
Learning How to Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder
If you've been experiencing symptoms of SAD, be sure to take steps to reverse seasonal affective disorder. With the right steps and professional guidance, you can improve your mood, reduce symptoms, and get through the season more easily.
Fostering more social connections in your life is a great way to boost your mood and reduce stress and anxiety. Consider joining a senior living community such as Morada Rogers in Rogers, AR, to live your best life as a senior.
Interested in learning more about Rogers senior living? Contact us now to learn more about what our senior community has to offer seniors in Arkansas.