Signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder in Seniors Living in Sun City Center

Seasonal depression is common in seniors, but the symptoms are easily identified. Sadness, hopelessness, disinterest in activities, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and oversleeping are all common signs that you may have seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

As many as 1 in 20 adults in the U.S. experience seasonal depression each year. If you're located in Tampa's southern suburb of Sun City Center, you may experience SAD symptoms. Despite getting plenty of rays for most of the year, fall and winter can still lead to a decrease in sun exposure and cause seniors to experience the winter blues.

So how can you know if you have SAD? Start by watching out for the signs of seasonal affective disorder listed below.

What Are Five Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder?

There are a variety of different signs that you may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder. Here are a few of the most common symptoms you may notice if you have seasonal depression in Sun City Center, FL.

1. Hopelessness

The most common symptom of SAD is a feeling of depression, sadness, or a low mood. If you have a feeling of emptiness or hopelessness, or if you've noticed mood changes in aging, then you need to take action. Consider looking for a solution that can help you feel like your happier self again.

2. Lack of Interest

Along with these mood changes, there may be a lack of interest in activities that otherwise bring you a lot of joy. While it's normal to lose interest in certain things as you grow and evolve in your life, a sudden disinterest in your favorite activities should be cause for concern. It may be due to the arrival of seasonal depression.

3. Concentration Problems

If you've discovered that your ability to concentrate has been suffering, it could also be because you have SAD. Focusing on tasks can become difficult as your mood declines and as you start feeling the effects of a lack of sunlight exposure during the fall and winter months.

4. Fatigue

Seasonal depression can also lead to significant feelings of fatigue and tiredness as it begins to affect you. You may find that you lack motivation to do things that need to get done. Consider looking for treatment options and making lifestyle changes if you want to get your energy levels back to normal.

5. Poor Sleep

Various sleep changes may also occur as you begin suffering from SAD. You may find that you have a harder time getting up in the morning, or you may feel restless at night and have a more difficult time getting to sleep each night.

How Do You Treat Seasonal Affective Disorder?

It's important to move past the stigma surrounding senior mental health and to take steps to treat seasonal affective disorder. It's best to use multiple treatment options rather than just one if you need emotional care in senior living.

Here are some of the most common ways that you can start to reverse SAD:

• Getting better quality sleep
• Improving your diet
• Increasing vitamin intake
• Exercising more often
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Talk therapy
• Light therapy

The treatment options you choose may depend on the severity of the disorder. Mild SAD may only require basic lifestyle changes for treatment, while severe cases may require more extreme measures such as taking antidepressants. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Month Does SAD Start?

People tend to notice seasonal depression symptoms start to appear as early as October, but it's commonly experienced as late as February. While many people do experience symptoms throughout this span of time, others will only suffer from the disorder during some of the fall and winter months.

January and February tend to be the worst months for sufferers of seasonal depression due to their lack of sunlight and because the days of these months are so short when compared to others in the year.

Does Vitamin D Help With SAD?

Upping vitamin D intake is one of the most common winter wellness tips given to those who suffer from seasonal depression, and there may be some truth in its effectiveness. Seasonal depression is caused by a lack of sun exposure, which can make it harder for vitamin D to be produced in the body.Because of this, many people who suffer from SAD are deficient in vitamin D.

For those who are deficient in the vitamin, increasing vitamin D intake may help significantly with depression and other symptoms that they're facing. Despite this, keep in mind that vitamin D isn't always the answer. Studies have had mixed results, and it appears that not everyone who experiences SAD gets relief from adding more vitamin D to their diets. 

Are There Foods That Help Improve Your Mood?

Eating certain foods can markedly improve a person's mood and is worth considering when experiencing seasonal depression. Common foods that are known to help improve mood include fatty fish, dark chocolate, nuts, seeds, oats, and berries. Many of these foods provide excellent vitamins to the body, including vitamin D, which can help with mood regulation.

In addition to vitamin D, many other vitamins can have an effect on a person's mood as well. This includes magnesium, vitamin C, and B vitamins such as B6, B9 (folate), and B12. Adding foods with these vitamins, omega-3s, and nutrients such as tryptophan to your diet can be helpful for improving symptoms of SAD and helping you feel more at ease.

Understanding the Signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder

In the fall and winter months, be sure to look out for these signs of seasonal affective disorder. Sadness, hopelessness, fatigue, and oversleeping are all common signs of seasonal depression.

If you're looking for a great senior assisted living community in the Tampa area, consider Aston Gardens At the Courtyards. With exceptional amenities, fun events and activities, comfortable floor plans, and memory care support in Sun City Center, you'll be glad you moved in.

Interested in learning more about assisted living? Reach out to us today to learn more about what we have to offer seniors in Sun City Center, FL.