Elderly Mental Health Crisis: Why Millions Go Untreated—and What We Can Do

                  One area of mental health that at times might be overlooked is the mental health of the elderly. I am aware of this because my mother falls into the group of elderly with a mental health condition. She does not acknowledge that she has a mental health condition. Maybe it is because of the generation she grew up in. Maybe it is because she has Alzheimer’s. It could also just be her personality and personal beliefs. More than likely it is a combination of all three. 

                  As I think about my mom, I am left wondering how many elderly people struggle with their mental health and what is the impact of mental illness on the elderly. Worldwide about 14% of elderly people live with a mental illness. Estimates for the Unites States indicate that 5-7 million elderly people live with mental illness. This includes disorders such as depression and anxiety. Other estimates indicates that 3-4 million of those elderly people with mental illness go untreated. 

                  Let’s look at some reasons the elderly may not receive treatment for their mental illness. 

·      Symptoms get mistaken for normal aging

·      The stigma surrounding mental health

·      Limited access to geriatric mental health specialists

·      Physical health issues overshadow mental health concerns

 

A simple Google search indicates that depression is the most common mental

health condition among the elderly. Approximately 15-20% of the elderly experience depression symptoms. There are even more who experience symptoms but do not meet the criteria of a diagnosis. It is estimated that about half of the elderly with depression do not receive treatment. This lack of treatment may be due to an overlap in symptoms of depression and the signs of aging or physical illness. These might include fatigue and sleep issues. Another issue is that the elderly often do not report mood changes. 

                  Anxiety disorders are unrecognized in the elderly even more than depression. It is estimated that up to 70% of elderly with anxiety go untreated. Sometimes it is seen as a personality trait or lifelong worry. When I read about this I immediately thought about my grandmother. Everyone always said she was just a worrier. What if she really had an anxiety disorder that was left untreated? It pains me to look back and realize that maybe her life would have been easier with treatment. Another reason anxiety disorders are left untreated in the elderly is there is less screening for anxiety than depression. 

                  When we look at the big picture, it is obvious that many of the elderly are living with untreated mental illness. I only looked at depression and anxiety. There are other mental illnesses that impact the elderly. We need to do a better job of recognizing and treating mental illness in the elderly. How do we do this? 

                  First, we need to make it easier for the elderly to access care. Primary care specialists can increase screening efforts. Mental health care should be included in home health services and senior living centers, assisted living facilities, and nursing facilities. These actions can be as simple as a doctor or other physical health provider asking a few simple mental health questions and carefully listening to the answers. It is important to pay attention to what the person is not saying as well. In care facilities personnel should monitor the elderly’s participation in activities and whether they are being visited. Personnel should be aware of isolation. This could be a sign of depression. Having care providers who are aware of what is going on in the lives of the elderly is important. 

If the person is not in a care facility, some of this responsibility lies in the hands of the person’s family. I get how hard this can be. Sometimes my work and life obligations make it difficult for me to monitor my mother’s mental health. I cannot allow that to be an excuse. At the same time, I need to recognize that I need to take care of my own mental health when I am with my mother. This has been a difficult task. My mother is in a care facility, but I cannot leave the task of monitoring her mental health to the facility staff. So, I understand how families can lose track of their elderly loved ones. This is where another strategy to increase mental health care for the elderly becomes apparent. We need to support caregivers and families. This can include teaching them early signs of depression and anxiety. Caregivers and families also need support navigating insurance services. This is an indirect support of the elderly but is vital.

Reducing stigma is another way to ensure that the elderly are receiving mental health care. This can begin with campaigns to normalize mental health as a part of overall health. We need trusted individuals to be a part of this campaign. Today awareness about mental health is increasing. That is a great, but we need to remember to include the elderly when we raise awareness. They are often forgotten or overlooked. 

                  The elderly are often isolated whether by choice or circumstance. Isolation is a risk factor for mental illness. The elderly need to be encouraged to participate in family activities. At the same time families need to be encouraged to include their elderly loved ones. It is easy to overlook our elderly loved ones, but we need to recognize how important connection is for them. We can set up regular check-ins. To lessen the load on family members, they can set up a system where different people check in at different times. The check-ins can also be done by neighbors or friends. Encouraging the elderly to become involved in activities in senior centers, assisted living or care facilities is important. Just a little social interaction can go a long way. 

                  I do not like to be political on this blog, but I will say that changes need to be made to Medicare. These changes need expand coverage for mental health services. We also need to fund community-based programs. This will provide more opportunities for the elderly to improve their mental health. It may also be necessary to provide incentives for mental health care professionals to work with the elderly.

                  As we look at improving mental health in the elderly we need to focus on identification of mental illness, providing easier access to care, and reducing isolation. These are simple actions that we can take as a society. We need to become advocates for mental health care for the elderly.

                  Another thing for many of us to consider is that if we have a mental illness now, we will still have that mental illness when we are elderly. We are going to want continued access to care. Our mental illness and our need for care is not going to disappear. If we work for increased mental health care for the elderly now, we are ensuring that those care practices will be in place as we age 

                  I encourage you to check in on the elderly in your life. Even just friendly visits can make a difference. Be aware of the symptoms of mental illness:

Emotional and Mood Changes

·      Persistent sadness, emptiness, and hopelessness

·      Increased irritability or anger

·      Loss of interest in hobbies or social activities

Physical Symptoms

·      Unexplained aches and pains

·      Fatigue or low energy

·      Changes in sleep (too much or too little)

·      Appetite or weight changes

Cognitive and Behavioral Changes

·      Trouble concentrating or making decisions

·      Withdrawing from family, friends, or usual routines

·      Neglecting personal care (hygiene, medication, meals)

·      Slower movement or speech

Anxiety-Related Signs

·      Excessive worry or fear

·      Restlessness or feeling “on edge”

·      Avoiding certain places or activities

·      Physical signs like rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath

Serious Warning Signs

·      Thoughts of death or suicide

·      Feeling like a burden or that life has no purpose

·      Confusion that is new or sudden (check that this is not related to dementia)

 

These are basically the same signs of mental illness in anyone, which is why learning about mental illness is so important for all of us. As far as the elderly it is most important to notice changes in mood, behavior, energy levels, and social engagement. The mental health of the elderly is an important social issue. It is one that needs more attention. Share this post with anyone who might be in a position to help an elderly person with their mental health. 

                  

 

 

 

Depression Told Me to Give Up—Why I Chose to Stay Alive

I often spend time thinking about my mental health. I have been through a lot in the near 40 years that I have been living with mental illness.  It has not been easy. My life is a series of ups and downs. Sometimes my mental health is in a good place. Other times I am near rock bottom. Then there are the in between times. Those in between times are probably where I dwell most often. The thing about mental illness is that it will teach you a lot if you listen. In all honesty, I do not always want to listen. Sometimes the pain is too much, but I have found that when I listen, I learn a lot about this journey I am on, who I am, and how I can help others who live with mental illness.

As I sit in front of my computer screen, I am not sure which lesson to start with. There are many. I think I will start with what might be the most important. Actually, the lessons are all important. This one just deals with the big picture. Simply put, I have learned that I love being alive. This knowledge is important because I have been to the edge where suicide seemed like my only option many times. There have been times when my mental health team or a loved one has had to reach out and gently pull me back from that edge. 

When I reflect on those moments, I realize that each time it was the depression screaming in my head that life was not worth living. It was not my own thoughts that were driving me. Recently, I heard a song that really got me thinking about all the times I have been on the edge and thought ending my life was the only way out. The song is “Bein’ Alive” by Melissa Etheridge. I think it is a new song. Let me share the part of that song that really hit me, although the whole song really speaks to me.

 

Then there were times I was down on my knees
Sayin', "This is gonna break me, this is gonna bleed for a while"
Then hours turned to days
And it all blew away
And I chose to survive
God, I love being alive

 

                  That line, “And I chose to survive” hits me. While my mental health team pulls me back from the edge of harming myslef, in the end I am the one who choose to survive. Yes. I need their support, but ultimately, I am the one who has decided I want to survive the pounding voice of depression. And you know what? When I am in a good place, and even during the in between times, “I love being alive.” I realize there are reasons to enjoy life. So, I think the lesson I can share from this is that there are going to be difficult times, but we can pull through those times and enjoy being alive.

                  Another lesson I have learned is that we do not need to be alone. I often feel alone. I do not have a partner in life. My friends are often busy with their own lives. A lot of my family is either spread out or has their own lives to live. So, I spend a lot of time alone. I understand loneliness. Depression likes to feed off that loneliness. Sometimes that is when its power over me gains strength. As part of the lesson that we do not need to be alone, it is important to recognize when we need to reach out for support. 

                  There was a time when I did not have a support system. My pain was deep, but I did not know there was support out there. I did not know that I could reach out for the support I needed. I have since found that reaching out is important when you live with mental illness. We cannot fight this illness alone. That part of the lesson really hit home for me when I was diagnosed with cancer. I was never alone in my cancer fight. I had the support I needed. As I was going through that I realized how important that support was for my mental illness battle. 

                  The important thing about reaching out for help is it allows us to build a support system for those times when we cannot get through things on our own. Support systems will look different for each of us. My support system has grown over the years, but it started small. At first, I only had my psychologist. He “carried” me through a lot and is still walking with me on this journey. Now, I have others who are a part of my support system. They buoy me when I struggle. They ensure that my treatment plan is adjusted when it needs to be. They provide the treatment. Sometimes it is just talking or emailing with one of them. I would be lost if I did not know I have a support system I can reach out to when I am struggling. An important lesson I have learned about mental illness is that I cannot fight it alone. I need to know that I can reach out. I need to know when to reach out and to trust that my support system will be there for me. This requires me to be okay with reaching out. 

                  I know I am lucky to have the incredible support system that I have. What if you do not have a support system? How do you create one? Before you try to create a support system, it is important to understand that you have choices. You can choose who is a part of your support system. You get to be comfortable with these people. It may take some work to develop the connections with your support system that allows you to trust them. Let’s look at a few steps to take when developing a support system.

                  First, tell yourself that is okay to reach out. If you are in crisis, a good first step is to call the 988 lifeline. If you are in danger or feel you may hurt yourself, call 911. These calls can lead to connections with mental health care provider, and more importantly will keep you safe in these times.

                  What if you are not in crisis? There are few ways you can start building a support system.

·      Make an appointment with your primary care provider. Discuss the feelings and emotions you are dealing with. Ask for a referral to a mental health professional.

·      If you do not have a primary care provider, you can go to an urgent care facility. A medical practitioner there can refer you to a mental health provider.

·      Some medical insurance programs will provide you with list of mental health providers in their network. Ask for this list. Then select a few providers from this list and look them up online. You might be able to find information about the provider and their practice. There may be reviews that can help you. 

·      Contact groups such as NAMI. This organization has support groups, classes, and other programs to help people living with mental illness and their loved ones. 

 

Once you have found a mental health provider it is important that you are honest

with them. They need to know what you are going through if they are going to be able to provide the support you need. I realize that sometimes it is hard to talk about what our mental illness is doing to us. We might feel embarrassed or like we should not be struggling. It is important that we push these ideas behind us. Creating a support system requires honesty and a willingness to accept support.

                  So, two of the most important lessons I have learned while living with mental illness are that want to live and that I need a support system I can rely on. I believe these are two of the most important things for any of us living with mental illness. Life is worth living and it is okay if we need support to live fully. 

        I keep hearing those lyrics written and sung by Melissa Etheridge, “And I chose to survive/God, I love being alive”. When we realize that we want to live and that we really do love life, we need to do whatever is necessary to be alive. Support systems are part of being alive for some of us. That is okay. So, I guess mental illness has taught me important lessons. It has taught me that I love being I alive and that life is worth living even when mental illness tries to tell me it is not. I hope that if you are struggling, you can find the support to learn that you love being alive.

 

 

 

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Negative Comments and Mental Health: Why Respect Matters Online

                  Mental health blogs, social media posts, and podcasts require vulnerability. When we share about mental health, we are opening up about things  that deeply affects us. Some of us live with mental illness. Others provide care for people living with mental illness. No matter what our role is we are trying to share how mental illness affects people and how important it is to have access to treatment.

                  I feel a need to write about this because recently I have seen negative and hurtful comments on mental health posts and been told about others. Why do people find the need to be hurtful? Is it a lack of understanding? A lack of empathy? A lack of compassion? I do not have an answer, but I feel that this is a topic worth discussing.

                  Blog posts and social media posts about mental health are usually honest and vulnerable. These posts are attempting spread awareness about mental illness, which impacts 1 in 5 adults in the United States and 1 in 8 adults worldwide. Put simply, over a lifetime nearly half of the people in the world will experience mental illness at some point in their lives. This is why awareness matters. So, when we share our stories, when we attempt to raise awareness, or when a provider shares treatment options, an attempt is being mad to normalize mental health struggles.  

How Do Hurtful and Dismissive Comments Affect People Living with Mental Illness?

Comments that are hurtful or dismissive of mental illness sting. These comments can discourage people from reading posts that are intended to help those who are struggling. Hurtful and dismissive comments can discourage people from reading about mental illness. Posts such as my blog are intended to share what it is like to live with mental illness. They are intended to spread awareness and let people know they are not alone in their struggles. When we read hurtful or dismissive comments, we might question our illness. We might be hesitant to reach out for help. It can worsen our symptoms.

                  I am not saying that every comment needs to agree with what we are sharing about mental illness, but a person can disagree in a respectful way. It is okay to say something like “I see it differently because…” I can respect a different viewpoint when it is presented respectfully. What I cannot respect are comments that are mocking, minimizing, or attacking. If you have not lived with mental illness, you may not understand what is being shared about mental health You may not be able to relate. That is okay. Just be kind. 

                  My blog does not generate a lot of comments, but since starting this blog in 2023, I have deleted a few hurtful comments. These comments have no place on my blog. I do not see a purpose in engaging with hurtful or dismissive comments. Other people I know who have mental health blogs, social media accounts, or podcasts feel the same way. We are not going to engage with the negative. Our purpose is to spread awareness about mental health in a safe and positive environment.

                  The other day I was listening to a video post on social media by a psychiatrist I have received treatment from. It was an informative video that shared how a particular treatment can benefit people living with depression. There were only a couple of comments, but one was really inappropriate. It attacked the provider. My first instinct was to write a comment in response to defend the provider. I resisted this urge. There was nothing I could say to change this person’s mind. I was not going to get this commenter to understand that their comment could prevent someone from seeking a treatment that could help them. Maybe the commenter had a bad experience with the treatment, but that is not a reason to attack. Move on. Not every treatment is going to work for everyone. Instead of writing an attacking comment, this person could have just continued scrolling. While I did not respond to the commentor, I did leave my own comment on the post. I simply said thank you to the provider. 

                  If you are reading blog or social media posts about mental health (and since you are here, I am assuming that you do), learn from the posts. If you want to comment, and I encourage you to comment on my blog posts, there are a few ways you can engage. You might share a personal experience, offer support, ask thoughtful questions, or simply leave a thumbs up or heart. 

                  When we post about living with mental illness, we are opening ourselves up to others. We are sharing our personal experience. We are allowing ourselves to be vulnerable. These experiences are real and often difficult to share because of the pain that has been a part of the experience. Read what we share. Understand that we are attempting to raise awareness about mental illness and let others know they are not alone. Providers who post are trying to help people living with mental illness. They are raising awareness about the help and support that is available. Our posts are an important aspect of mental health awareness.

                  I encourage people to engage with mental health blogs and social media posts but do so with the intent of learning and supporting. There are many mental health blogs and social media accounts. These posts can make a difference in someone’s life. If you choose to engage, make sure you are positive and supportive. Add to the discussion and be a part of the awareness that is generated.

 

Why ‘Doing Enough’ Is Enough: Living with Depression and Letting Go of Pressure

        Recently, I saw a social media post that said, “Just because you could do more doesn’t mean you’re not doing enough already.” This statement really struck me. I felt it. My guess is that a lot of us can relate to this. It seems there is always a push to do more, but maybe what we really need to do is take a step back and let what are doing be enough.

                  While this statement likely applies to most people, I think it has even more meaning for those of us living with mental illness. When we are struggling with our mental health, it can be hard to accomplish all we think we need to get done. Our mental illness gets in the way. Tasks become harder to do. We place pressure on ourselves. The pressure than makes it more difficult for us to do things. Then our mental illness grows louder.

                  When you live with depression there is a heaviness that makes it difficult to be as productive as we might like to be. There is a weight bearing down on us. We try to do things, but our mood prevents us from engaging in activities. We may be able to go through the motions, but we tell ourselves we are not doing enough. Sometimes we can be productive. Many of us living with depression have jobs or go to school. We are out there in the world doing our best to be productive. Still a darkness may hang over us. We might get things done, but it never seems to be enough. When we get trapped into thinking that we are not doing enough, our depression grows louder in our minds. We are unable to recognize what we have done. We feel we haven’t done enough or even that we are not enough. This is part of the cycle of lies that depression tells us.

                  This feeling of not doing enough also occurs when we live with anxiety. When anxiety controls our thoughts, we worry more about not doing enough. Pressure to accomplish tasks grows. It suffocates us. We tell ourselves that we need to do more. We become anxious about what others will think or say. We might become convinced that we are going to lose our job or that we will fail a class. So, we push ourselves to our breaking point. This might lead to an anxiety attack that leaves us unable to do anything. The pressure we put on ourselves to do more can leave us unable to do anything. 

                  But as the statement above says, we are doing enough. I know it is hard a lesson to learn, but we need to remember that doing what we can is enough. We do not need to push ourselves beyond our limit. Sometimes it is okay to just say, “I have done what I can and that is enough.” I know that is easy to say, but hard to believe. I get it. I struggle with the pressure I put on myself. My last post (April 13^th) is an example of letting what I can do be enough. I had a rough weekend and could not write the post I wanted to write for Monday. I beat myself up about it. I told myself I had to write a post. As Sunday neared an end and Monday’s post was not written, I had a choice. I could stay up all night and beat myself up or I could post something simple and let that be good enough. In the end, I chose to let what I could do be enough. I posted a poem I had previously written, but never shared. It did not receive the number of reads I had hoped for, but I posted on schedule.

                  Was it hard for me to allow myself not to write full post? Yes, it was very hard. Monday, I kept telling myself that I should have written more. That was the voice of my depression and anxiety. These two illnesses were trying to tear me down. While it is hard, I need to recognize the “voices” for what they are. Depression and anxiety feed off telling me I am not enough. I am sure many others can relate to this. We put pressure on ourselves. We question our worth. I am working on telling myself that what I am able to do is enough. I do not need to be perfect. I do not need to push myself beyond my limits. Neither do you. What we can do is enough. It is going to look different on different days. We need to respect ourselves and understand that we are doing the best we can. Living with mental illness is a challenge. Whatever effort we can put forth is worthy.  Even if we feel we can do more, we need to remember that what we can do is enough. 

                  This means not comparing ourselves to others. We are all different. We all face different challenges. While it is hard to avoid comparisons, we need to try to give ourselves the grace to be who we are and accept our abilities for what they are. We do what we can. Others do what they can. Let it be enough to do what we can. We need to honor ourselves by recognizing that we do our best and that is enough. 

                  So, remember “Just because you could do more doesn’t mean you’re not doing enough already.” 

 

 

 

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Reaching Out During Depression: Why Asking for Help Matters

        As I write this post it is Sunday evening. I usually write my posts the day before I post them so that I can post it early the next morning. In all honesty I am not up to writing a post right now. I have tried to write a few times today, but nothing is forming on the page. Recently, I have been struggling with my mental health. It happens. I go through stretches when things are not what I would I like them to be. It is part of living with mental illness. I understand that there will be difficult times. I know I need to reach out for help in these moments. I am lucky to have an amazing mental health team who I can reach out to and know they will support me. I am grateful for them. 

                  Since I am not up to writing a post, I thought I would share a poem. I found one I wrote in 2024. It seems fitting, given how I am feeling, to share this poem about reaching out. It is also National Poetry Month. So, there is another reason to share a poem. 

                  I plan to be back to a regular post on Thursday. I hope everyone can understand my need to take a break today. For now, I hope this poem shares some insight into the need to reach out for help when we are struggling.  

 

Reaching Out

 

Reaching out for help

When the darkness becomes overwhelming

Is not an easy task.

It requires strength when we feel so weak.

We often think we cannot reach out.

We fear we will be rejected.

Afraid others will not understand.

Unsure of who to seek out.

One word is all it takes, or even

A simple phrase,

“I need help”.

 

The darkness is real.

Depression lies to us,

Makes us believe the darkness is all there is,

But that is a lie.

We may not see the light, but

The light is there.

Waiting to embrace us.

Welcoming us into healing.

While it is not easy,

We must reach out.

 

One hand emerges from the darkness.

Reaches out to you.

Grabs hold and strengthens you.

Extend your hand and hold on.

Accepting help is okay.

Reaching out should be our norm.

Others have been there.

We are not alone.

 

Depression Doesn’t Discriminate: What Lauren Betts Teaches Us About Mental Health

“My mental health isn’t perfect. It’s an ongoing project.”

 – Lauren Betts, college basketball player

 

 

                  The above quote is incredibly powerful and wise. Lauren Betts is a college (soon to be WNBA) player, who has lived with depression. Her realization that “mental health isn’t perfect” and that it is an “ongoing project” shows so much insight for a young person. I feel sadden that such a young person has had the experience to understand this about mental illness. At the same time, I have so much admiration for her. Her story is a powerful lesson, but it is hers to tell, not mine. She has shared it in a beautifully written essay for The Players’ Tribune. Read it here: "I Want to Be Here". 

                  This young woman shares her story for attention, but the not the attention that brings fans or grows a social media platform. She is using her story to bring attention and awareness to mental illness. At first glance this is a young woman who has so much. An elite basketball player with opportunity waiting for her in the WNBA, she seems to have everything going for her. Depression still attacked her. She fought the darkness and the hard thoughts that go with depression. She sought help. She realized that she wanted to fight depression and live. Now, as she shares her story, her goal is to help others. On the brightest stage of women’s basketball, right after winning a national championship with her UCLA teammates and being named most outstanding player, she said she wants to help others. Despite the struggles she has been through, she has set her sights on helping others discover that even when depression is at its darkest, life is worth living. 

                  Before I move on, I encourage you to read her story after you read this post. If you have young people in your life, share her story with them. If you have student athletes in your life, share her story with them. Share the resilience and hope that Lauren Betts exudes with them. Many young people are struggling with mental illness even if we do not know it. Let them hear the story of a student athlete who has been in their shoes. 

                  Acknowledging that mental health is not perfect is important. Even on our best days, on the days when the world thinks we have it altogether, we might still be struggling. Our mental health ebbs and flows. We need to remember that it is an illness. It requires care and treatment. There is no perfect cure for mental illness. We can learn to manage our mental health. We can heal with treatment. Even with all this, there are still going to be difficult times. There are going to be times when depression or anxiety (or the symptoms of any mental illness) will remind us they are there. We will experience the darkness of depression. Our thoughts may turn negative or hopeless. Remember it is okay to experience these emotions and thoughts. As Betts states, “…mental health isn’t perfect.” What matters is that we show up each day and are willing to work on our mental health. 

                  In this way mental health is an “ongoing project.” We need to work to heal. That work involves taking medication, participating in therapy, seeing our mental health care providers, receiving non-traditional treatments, and/or practicing self-care strategies and coping skills. Living with mental illness is not easy. Working to better our mental health is necessary. It is hard work, but the rewards, the healing, are worth the effort. 

I love that Betts calls mental health an “ongoing project”. It is incredible that such a young person understands this. I do not think that I understood that at her age. She is absolutely right. We can never stop working on our mental health. When we work on our mental health, we make discoveries about ourselves. We learn that we do not need to listen to what depression tells us. We learn that depression and anxiety lie to us. Depression and anxiety have loud, strong voices. It takes work to drown them out. As we work on our mental health, we learn to talk back to the voices of depression and anxiety. It is not an easy process, but if we see it as an ongoing process, one that will have ups and downs, we are better able to focus on the work. 

Depression often makes us feel that life is not worth living. It is lying to us, but the lies are spewed in a loud, convincing voice. We start to believe the voice. At times we want to give up. With the help of our mental health providers, we do the work necessary to overcome the voice of depression. When we read stories like the story Lauren Betts has shared, we learn that we “want to be here.” We learn that we want to live. 

Sharing our stories is an important part of the “ongoing project” of living with depression and other mental illnesses. Even as someone who has lived with depression and anxiety for almost 40 years, I learn from hearing or reading someone else’s story. I learned from Lauren Betts’ story. Our stories are valuable. They allow us to realize that we are resilient. When we share our stories, we share our resilience. We give each other hope. That is why I write this blog and work so hard to post twice each week. I never know who will gain something from my story and what I am sharing. 

There are many young people like Lauren Betts, who at first look have it all together. Many young people who excel at something like sports, may seem to be alright, but under all the accolades might be struggling. Behind the baskets, the homeruns, the touchdowns, or the goals is human who experiences emotions that we do not see. The same is true of the young person who excels at music, art, or gets good grades. Just as important, the young person who is just one face in the crowd, the one who fades into the background, or the one who is getting into trouble all experience emotions. We do not always see the struggle. So, it is important that we check in on all these young people. It is important that we check in on each other, too. We are all ongoing projects. Our mental health is not perfect, no matter what we show on the outside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Depression Is Real: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Cope

                When we think about the seasons affecting depression, we usually think about depression worsening in the winter months. Many of us struggle more during winter, but our depression can be affected by other seasons. Spring is a time when many people expect to feel better. As winter ends, we often expect our mood to lighten with sunnier days. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. There is a variation of seasonal affective disorder that arises during the spring. In this post I am going to focus on how our depression might be present in the spring months. 

                  First, a quick look at symptoms we might see during the spring. These symptoms are not limited to the spring. When we live with depression these symptoms can be present year-round, but these symptoms might increase or change during spring.

 

·      Low mood or lingering sadness

·      Anxiety or restlessness (often higher than in winter months)

·      Trouble sleeping (insomnia or disrupted sleep cycles)

·      Irritability or agitation

·      Loss of motivation or feeling “off”

·      Difficulty concentrating

        We might think that our moods should improve as spring arrives. Days are longer. There is more sunlight. Days are brighter. Our mood should be brighter, too, right? Not always. There are several reasons why our mood might drop and why we might experience the symptoms listed above.

                  One reason is a disruption in circadian rhythm. Our internal clock might be thrown off by the longer hours of daylight. This can impact sleep patterns. When our sleep patterns are disrupted, we can experience insomnia. That insomnia can affect our mood negatively. Maintaining regular sleep patterns is an important part of stabilizing our mood. It may take time to adjust to the longer hours of daylight. There are also hormonal changes as our bodies adjust to being exposed to more light. 

                  Spring brings increased social pressures. We may expect ourselves to be happy as the season changes. Often, we expect ourselves to be more socially active. There is more sunlight. We might think that means we need to get out and do things. This leads to thinking that we should be more productive. We see others who seem more energized. As we place these expectations on ourselves and see others who are engaged, our mood can be affected. We might experience an increase in depression.  

                  Spring can bring busier schedules and more obligations. We are emerging from the cocoon of winter. As our schedules become fuller, we may place pressure on ourselves to accomplish everything. Sometimes this pressure becomes unrealistic. Spring seems like the time to get things done. There is that concept of “spring cleaning” where we clean out the old and start new. This can create a pressure that allows our depression to move to the forefront of our lives. Our brains scream that they are overwhelmed with everything spring brings. 

                  As we struggle with the depression, we see an external environment that does not match how we are feeling. Spring brings sunshine and blooming flowers. Everyone around us seems to be in a good mood. We start to question why we do not feel “happy”. We think something is wrong with us. This increases the depression that has already slipped into our lives. As a result, we might isolate more. We might doubt our abilities. Depression takes over. 

                  How do we cope with spring depression? There are a few things we can do to ease the depression. Of course, first is to maintain our treatments. If we are taking medication, in therapy, and/or receiving a non-traditional treatment, we need to continue with those and not let there be an interruption to that care. What else can we do?

 

·      Stabilize our routine: This includes keeping consistent sleep/wake times. It also means not overcommitting socially or with work.

·      Be intentional with sunlight: Let ourselves gradually get more sunlight. This gradual process will prevent feeling overwhelmed by increased sunlight. 

·      Manage anxiety: We can experience increased anxiety during spring. So, it is important to practice our coping strategies. This can include breathing exercises, grounding techniques, mindfulness activities, gentle stretching, and journaling. 

·      Lower expectations: We do not need to be ready for the changes spring brings right away. We should remind ourselves that we only need to do what we are able to do. We do not need to keep up with what we see others doing. Our pace is just that, our pace and our pace is just what we need. 

·      Stay connected: Talking to a loved one or friend we trust can be important. It helps us share what we are feeling and receive support. It is also important to keep our appointments with our mental health professionals. They are key in supporting us through the changes new seasons might bring.

        Seeking help might be necessary. We all experience difficulties with our mentalhealth at times. When these difficulties persist, symptoms interfere with daily functioning, or we have increased anxiety, panic, or hopelessness, and/or decreased mood it is important to reach out to a mental health professional. Reaching out for professional health is important. It is not only a sign of strength, but also a sign that we value our mental health. Awareness that we need help with our mental health is a key aspect of healing. Seeking help is also a normal action. We would see a doctor if we had an issue with our physical health. We should do the same with our mental health.

                  Often, spring is thought of as a time new beginnings and growth. Not all of us experience spring that way. That is okay. Spring can affect each of us differently. Spring can be difficult. It is not all sunshine and flowers. When we struggle the first step is awareness. If you recognize any of the symptoms above or feel that you are struggling with an aspect of your mental health, it is okay to seek help. Seeking help is normal whatever season it is.

                  Let me end with a thought for all of us to reflect on: What does my mind need this season, not what the world expects, rather what does my mind need?