To reverse seasonal affective disorder, a doctor may recommend a variety of treatments for a senior. This could include light therapy, antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), vitamin D supplements, and senior health routines.
Seniors who live in Carroll, OH, just south of Columbus, may start to recognize mood changes once the fall and winter months roll around. Seasonal depression can affect anyone and can make it much harder to enjoy everyday life.
If you want to send the winter blues away, there are ways to do it. In this guide, we'll tell you how you can begin to reverse seasonal affective disorder in Carroll, OH.
Seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD, is a condition that is characterized by low mood, sadness, and emotional turmoil. SAD tends to occur in certain months of the year, ranging from the fall to winter.
Symptoms of seasonal depression typically start showing up as early as October and as late as February. Since the disorder is related to a lack of sunlight exposure, it's likely to develop in these months of the year, when days are shorter and when natural sunlight is at a minimum. The lack of sunlight exposure can lead to altered hormones and can change a person's circadian rhythm.
For a sufferer of SAD, addressing issues such as a decrease in serotonin and vitamin D, as well as an increase in melatonin, will be at the center of reversing seasonal affective disorder and improving emotional wellness.
Vitamin D is the vitamin most closely associated with seasonal affective disorder. Because sunlight exposure allows your skin to produce vitamin D, failing to get enough of it in the winter months can lead to a deficiency in it.
Vitamin D is beneficial to the body in many ways, and if you're lacking it, you may begin to experience fatigue, depression, and mood changes. In addition to this, a vitamin D deficiency can lead to problems with bone health and muscle function and can weaken the immune system.
Taking a vitamin D supplement or getting more of the vitamin through food may help to combat the symptoms of SAD and boost your mood during the colder months of the year. While vitamin D is often touted as a cure-all for SAD, however, the truth isn't as clear-cut. While boosting your vitamin D intake may provide significant benefits if you're lacking in the vitamin, doing so may or may not cure your SAD.
Studies on using vitamin D for SAD have been inconsistent, and individuals may feel better after adding vitamin D to their diets or they may not. In many cases, other treatments will also need to be utilized to reverse SAD.
There are a few treatments that are known to work well for seasonal depression. While vitamin D intake may be helpful, doctors may also recommend:
It's important to speak with a medical professional to create a game plan that's right for you when it comes to getting relief from SAD symptoms. Every individual is different, but a doctor can help you manage the symptoms and reverse seasonal affective disorder in an efficient and effective way.
SAD is incredibly common, and according to reports, it affects around 1 in 20 American adults each year. Seniors are particularly at risk of experiencing SAD symptoms since they often deal with issues such as isolation and a lack of contact with others. Additionally, symptoms seem to be most prevalent among women.
As you age, it's important to stay aware of risk factors. Ignore the stigma around mental health, take action, and speak to a doctor if you think that you may be suffering from seasonal depression.
Symptoms of SAD can be either mild or severe, and individuals vary in the way that they're affected by the disorder. For some people, SAD may feel similar to depression, while for others it may only cause mild emotional distress.
Although changes in mood are most associated with seasonal affective disorder, physical symptoms can occur as well. Physical symptoms could include weight gain, fatigue, changes in appetite, and a tendency to oversleep.
While you may find that vitamin D, CBT, and light therapy benefits are enough to cure SAD, sometimes a doctor will recommend antidepressants. Each person varies in their needs, but generally speaking, SSRIs are typically the ideal choice for a senior in need of an antidepressant.
If doctors think that an antidepressant is necessary for seasonal depression, they are most likely to recommend an SSRI such as sertraline (Zoloft) or escitalopram (Lexapro). These drugs are often first choices for seniors because of their relative safety and minimal interactions with other drugs.
For those with medical conditions and with other special needs, other antidepressants are available as well. A doctor may recommend one of these based on your specific medical background and condition.
If you want to reverse seasonal affective disorder as a senior in Carroll, OH, you'll likely need to use a combination of strategies. Boosting your vitamin D intake is a great start, but you may also want to speak to your doctor about other treatments such as light therapy, antidepressants, or cognitive behavioral therapy. You may also need to adopt some mood-boosting habits and make some adjustments to your diet, exercise routine, and sleep schedule.
If you're looking for a welcoming senior community in Ohio, consider Carroll Place Assisted Living. With excellent amenities, comfortable floor plans, and exciting events and winter activity ideas, you'll always have a great time as a senior living in Carroll, OH.
Wondering if senior assisted living is right for you? Contact us today to learn more about what Carroll Place has to offer seniors in Ohio.