Common Signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder in Seniors
When the days get shorter and the leaves start to turn brown, it can trigger episodes of seasonal depression for seniors in Marysville, CA. While most of these seniors will shake off the winter blues within a few days, those who experience persistent low mood are likely to be diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder or SAD.
SAD is the seasonal form of major depression, as recognized by the DSM-5, which causes five distinct symptoms:
- Low mood
- Sleep disruption
- Appetite change
- Cognitive fog
- Decreased motivation
Treatments such as light therapy, CBT, and medication can be effective when combined with professional medical advice.
Are you interested in learning more about the signs of seasonal affective disorder? Learn more about this senior mental health topic.
What are the Five Signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder?
SAD presents like a case of major depressive disorder, but it sets itself apart because of the seasonal pattern. When someone has SAD, they can predict quite accurately when the depressive symptoms will emerge.
When major depressive symptoms last for two weeks or more and recur at the same time for two years in a row, doctors are likely to make an SAD diagnosis.
Impact on Mood
One of the most obvious signs of seasonal affective disorder is a persistent low mood. SAD feels like waves of sadness are washing over you, making you feel tearful and low, particularly in the early mornings and in the evening.
Affected seniors will also experience symptoms like:
- Reduced enjoyment of activities
- Less time spent socializing
- Less interest in hobbies
Sleep and Appetite Changes
Sleep disruption further exacerbates these difficulties. When SAD occurs in the winter, seniors sleep for longer but feel significantly less refreshed.
The summer presentation is the opposite, where affected individuals don't get much sleep.
There's also an appetite change with a similar pattern. The winter symptoms include strong cravings for carbohydrate-rich foods, like bread, chocolate, and pastry.
In summer, it's the opposite, and you don't have much of an appetite at all.
Cognitive and Functional Impact
Finally, there's the cognitive fog, which causes:
- Slowed-down thinking
- Lapses in focus
- Difficulty in making decisions
Persistent SAD can also negatively impact attention span, making it difficult to sustain your activity.
When these symptoms interfere with day-to-day life, they'll all cause problems in relationships. And when the symptoms come back on a predictable yearly schedule, it suggests SAD.
Evidence-Based Treatments
So what are some evidence-based treatments to support emotional wellness in aging? According to the NCBI, there are several interventions that are backed by credible science.
The first is bright light therapy, in which you can use a 10,000 lux light box immediately after waking up to help kick-start the body's internal rhythms. This helps with better sleep and improves mood.
Those who get a medical diagnosis might pursue cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). When correctly applied, CBT can help seniors beat seasonal depression.
CBT targets patterns that exacerbate the winter episodes, such as unhelpful thoughts about the season and disengaging from cognitively helpful activities, such as social visits and exercise, because of the bad weather.
Medication Options
In some cases, medication might be an option. For example, antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications can potentially help with seasonal depression.
Vitamin D and Supplements
Suppose a senior has a deficiency in vitamin D. In that case, it's possible that supplements can improve mood, cognition, and energy levels.
This treatment is only effective if there is a genuine deficiency.
Given that vitamin D deficiency resembles various other health complaints, it's essential to consult your doctor before starting any supplement routine.
FAQs
How Does SAD Differ From Winter Blues?
These conditions are remarkably similar, but one is an official medical diagnosis. The other is a more casual, loosely defined label.
While there's no authoritative definition of the winter blues, most people understand it to be a short-lived mood that's connected to the reduced daylight and poor weather of the winter months.
According to the Mayo Clinic, people with the winter blues experience many similar symptoms to those with SAD, but the differences are :
- The total duration
- The extent of impairment
- The consistency of the seasonal pattern
Seasonal patterns can affect our mood, with some people experiencing the winter blues or seasonal affective disorder (SAD). While the blues will ease within a few days, SAD persists for weeks or even months at a time.
The winter blues might make you feel less motivated and alert, but it won't leave you completely dysfunctional or struggling with self-care like SAD will. It's tempting to frame the winter blues as subclinical SAD, but doctors prefer to keep these terms separate to ensure SAD cases are taken seriously.
Why Are Seniors Especially Vulnerable?
So why do seniors need extra assisted living support to fight SAD and look out for winter depression signs? One reason is that they are less receptive to light cues in the morning.
So when the sun rises later in the day, it can upset the body's internal circuit systems. Due to vision changes, they might also be receiving less light through the retina, and this can also impact the internal body clock.
There are many different health conditions and medication side effects that can amplify feelings of fatigue and low mood, especially when winter rolls around and the daylight drops.
Seniors also face a variety of difficult social events, such as finding purpose after retirement, dealing with bereavement, experiencing anxiety, and beginning memory care engagement.
Discover a Supportive Community
Many older adults can lessen the effects of seasonal episodes and preserve everyday functioning during the most difficult time of the year. The keys to reducing the symptoms are knowing the signs of seasonal affective disorder and having a plan based on morning light, consistent routines, and frequent contact.
Here at Marbella Marysville, we believe engagement and connection are key to a happy retirement. Our residents ' calendars are full of exciting opportunities for Vibrant Life Events & Activities.
Interested in seeing our supportive community for yourself? Contact us today to schedule a tour.