Signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder in Seniors

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is more than just cases of the winter blues. It's a consistent pattern of depressive symptoms that recurs during a specific season. It can cause difficulties such as low mood, loss of appetite, and low energy.

Doctors in Southport, NC recommend treatments such as taking vitamin supplements, getting enough sunlight, and taking advantage of opportunities for social interaction.

According to the American Psychological Association, this seasonal depression is a distinct subtype of major depressive disorder. Interested in learning more about how to spot the signs of seasonal affective disorder?

Read on to learn more about how winter mood changes can have a significant impact on aging and mental wellness.

What Are the Symptoms of SAD?

The signs of seasonal affective disorder are similar to depression. The key difference is that they appear in a specific season and return each year. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, common symptoms include:

Low mood: Feeling down most days for at least two weeks in the same season each year.
Loss of interest: Usual hobbies, social groups, worship, or family time no longer feel rewarding.
Sleep changes: Sleeping longer than usual, difficulty waking, and daytime sleepiness.
Appetite and weight changes: Strong cravings for bread, pasta, or sweets that lead to overeating and changes in weight.
Low energy: Everyday tasks feel exhausting, and concentration is reduced.
Social withdrawal, irritability, and poor concentration: Avoiding calls or visits, increased impatience, and difficulty following conversations or TV.

If several of these symptoms persist for two or more weeks and recur in the same season each year, contact a clinician. You should always seek urgent help for thoughts of self-harm or sudden confusion.

How Do You Treat SAD?

While serious cases of SAD often require medical intervention, more moderate cases are treatable with accessible methods. Here are some useful aging and mental wellness techniques to help seniors fight SAD:

More sunlight: During the winter months, people tend to get less sunlight, and spending time in the sun often improves symptoms of SAD
Social contact: People thrive on social interaction, but often people with SAD don't get enough contact with friends and family
Exercise routines: Getting out in the fresh air and sun is great for SAD, and exercise is effective for all types of depression.
Bright light therapy: Use a 10,000 lux light box for 20-30 minutes soon after waking to help reset your body clock and lift mood
Consistent sleep: Keep the same bedtime and wake at the same time every day

In more serious cases, a doctor might prescribe medications like antidepressants. Never start any psychiatric medications without getting explicit advice from a doctor.

With that said, medication isn't always necessary; seniors can often avoid difficult medication side effects through lifestyle changes.

Does Vitamin D Help With SAD?

Shorter days mean you get less sunlight, which isn't ideal for good emotional health for seniors. Less sunlight means less vitamin D, so naturally, people try taking vitamin D supplements to improve SAD symptoms.

According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, these supplements can be effective, but they're not a miracle cure.

Correcting a vitamin D deficiency can help alleviate SAD, but that doesn't mean you can just take a few pills while sitting in isolation and still turn things around.

You'll also need to implement lifestyle changes, like getting more exercise and social activity.

Of course, vitamin D supplements will only have a positive effect if your levels are actually low. If you don't have a vitamin D deficiency, taking supplements isn't going to help lift your winter depression.

The symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are easily confused with other illnesses, so consulting with your doctor and getting an objective blood test is usually the best course of action.

Don't take high doses of vitamin D without getting advice from your doctor, as according to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, too much vitamin D can cause health problems such as excessive calcium levels in the blood.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Winter Depression a Real Thing?

Yes. The onset of seasonal affective disorder is a recognized pattern of major depression that subsides upon the return of daylight. For seniors, shorter days, illness, and less time outside increase risk.

SAD is a more extreme form of the winter bluesthat most people experience from time to time.

Can Magnesium Help With Depression?

Though magnesium can't cure depression or seasonal affective disorder, it can help people relax and sleep better. Evidence is modest and inconsistent; therefore, it should be considered a helpful supplement at best. Magnesium oxide can make people have diarrhea, but magnesium glycinate or citrate is usually okay for adults.

Individuals who have heart issues or kidney disease require medical clearance. Seniors should separate magnesium dosage times from thyroid medication, antibiotics, and bone drugs by several hours to avoid reducing absorption.

How Fast Does Bright Light Therapy Start Helping?

When used every day, bright light therapy can help quickly. Many people feel better in one to two weeks if they sit near a 10,000 lux light box for 20 to 30 minutes right after they wake up, according to the Cleaveland Clinic.

Consistency matters because missed days delay progress. Keep your eyes open, but don't stare directly at the lamp (particularly if you have bad eyes).

You should also keep a good sleep schedule and have plenty of social visits throughout the week.

Can You Take Too Much Vitamin D?

Yes, you can experience bad side effects from too much vitamin D, such as nausea and high calcium levels. Always follow your doctor's orders for dosage.

Know the Signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder

Many seniors are able to deal with the colder months more effectively by being proactive, identifying symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, and establishing protective routines.

Keeping routines is easier when you're part of a supportive community. Here at TerraBella Southport, we help our residents deal with winter mood changes through comprehensive assisted living wellness programs, such as Dimensions Health & Wellness. Whether you're looking for memory care support or senior assisted living, we're here to help all our residents recognize the signs of seasonal affective disorder and fight back effectively.

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