Fall is the time to enjoy the beauty and colors of nature as leaves change, mums bloom and pumpkins are carved. Autumn is also the time of year when seasonal affective disorder (SAD) begins to surface, a concern for many adults including seniors and caregivers.
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), SAD affects between 4% and 6% of U.S. population.
“Another 10% to 20% may experience a mild form of winter-onset SAD,” says the AAFP.
Research shows that seasonal affective disorder is more common in women than men. The AAFP has also found that winter-onset SAD is more common in northern regions, “where the winter season is typically longer and more harsh.”
“At Great Care we’re fortunate to serve families in Indiana, where we experience the change in all four seasons. But Mother Nature can sometimes have affect on our mental health that we can’t always control,” says Great Care Founder and CEO Julie Sullivan. “The more we know about SAD and how it effects the seniors and caregivers we serve, the better we all are in dealing with specific form of depression.”
The Mayo Clinic defines the disorder as a type of depression related to changes in seasons, beginning and ending at about the same times every year.
“Seasonal affective disorder is a subtype of major depression that comes and goes based on seasons,” the clinic says. “If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody.”
Recognizing SAD, its symptoms and timing — as well as taking steps to keep mood and motivation steady throughout the year — are all integral in coping with the disorder, says Mayo Clinic experts.
“Don’t brush off that yearly feeling as simply a case of the ‘winter blues’ or a seasonal funk that you have to tough out on your own,” says the clinic. “In most cases, seasonal affective disorder symptoms appear during late fall or early winter and go away during the sunnier days of spring and summer. However, some people with the opposite pattern have symptoms that begin in spring or summer. In either case, symptoms may start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses.”
Symptoms of major depression may be part of SAD, such as:
Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
Feeling hopeless or worthless
Having low energy
Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
Having problems with sleeping
Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
Feeling sluggish or agitated
Having difficulty concentrating
Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide
Symptoms specific to winter-onset SAD, sometimes called winter depression, that can start as early as fall and winter, may include:
Irritability
Tiredness or low energy
Problems getting along with other people
Hypersensitivity to rejection
Heavy, “leaden” feeling in the arms or legs
Oversleeping
Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
Weight gain
If you, a loved one, or someone you may be caregiving for are experiencing symptoms of SAD, please consult a healthcare provider. According to the Mayo Clinic, it can be normal to have some days when you feel down. But if you feel down for days at a time and you can’t get motivated to do activities you normally enjoy, see a doctor.
“This is especially important if your sleep patterns and appetite have changed or if you feel hopeless, think about suicide, or turn to alcohol for comfort or relaxation,” the clinic says.
For more information on SAD, visit:
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder.html.
The professionals at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs. Great Care is a non medical in-home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care in Fishers, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (317) 595-9933 for more information.
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