Seasonal Depression Treatment: Holiday/Seasonal Depression
The Holidays are Coming… So Why Do I Feel So Bad?
Most people experience joyful emotions around the holiday season. The days are filled with holiday parties, social gatherings and time spent with family and friends. But for some of us, this time of year starts a steady progression of seasonal depression that may include anxiety, sadness, self-reflection and isolation for which seasonal depression treatment should be sought.
Why do some people react with joy and others with dread? “Sadness is a very personal emotion”, explains Dr. John Sharp, Executive Medical Director at Bridges to Recovery. “What makes one person feel sad may differ from person to person”, says Dr. Sharp. During the holidays, people may feel overwhelmed trying to balance the demands of family, shopping and other obligations. “To add to what some people experience as the normal stress of the holidays, the severe recession we are experiencing is causing added financial strain and anxiety”, continues Dr. Sharp.
“Even people who don’t view themselves as depressed may develop stress responses,” adds Dr. Hilary Combs, Clinical Director at Bridges, which may include:
• Headaches
• Excessive drinking
• Overeating, and
• Insomnia
“Others may experience some post-holiday sadness after Christmas, which results from built up expectations and disappointments from previous holidays seasons, compounded with stress and fatigue”, says Dr. Combs. “Most people hold on to an unrealistic ideal of what the holidays should be”, adds Dr. Sharp “and that inevitably leads to disappointment”, he says.
To reduce unrealistic expectations, the clinical team at the Bridges to Recovery depression and anxiety treatment facility in Pacific Palisades recommends that you follow these tips:
• Make realistic expectations for the holiday season-be honest with yourself about what
you can expect from yourself and others.
• Set realistic goals for yourself- don’t think you can get all your shopping, wrapping
and socializing done in one day.
• Pace yourself. Do not take on more responsibilities than you can handle.
• Make a list and prioritize the important activities. This can help make holiday tasks
more manageable.
• Do not put all your energy into just one day (for example, Thanksgiving Day,
New Year's Eve). Seasonal cheer can be spread from one holiday event
to the next.
• Live "in the moment" and enjoy the present.
• Look to the future with optimism- don’t focus on past disappointments.
• Don't set yourself up for disappointment and sadness by comparing today with the
"good old days" of the past or a fantasy of what this day should be.
• If you are lonely, try volunteering some of your time to help others.
• Find holiday activities that are free, such as looking at seasonal decorations,
going window-shopping, and watching the winter weather, whether it's a
snowflake or a raindrop.
• Limit your consumption of alcohol, since excessive drinking will only increase your
feelings of depression.
• Try something new. Celebrate the holidays in a new way.
• Spend time with supportive and caring people that are a healthy and positive
influence for you.
• Reach out and make new friends through volunteer work or trying a new activity.
• Make time to contact a long lost friend or relative and spread some holiday cheer
to those who are in need.
• Make time for yourself- take a walk, exercise, go to a matinee.
• Let others share the responsibilities of holiday tasks.
• Keep track of your holiday spending. Overspending can lead to seasonal depression when
the bills arrive after the holidays are over. Extra bills with little budget to pay them
can lead to further stress and depression.
If you or someone you know has feelings of hopelessness, fatigue and/or has thoughts of death, these may be more than the holiday blues and professional seasonal depression treatment should be sought. Contact Bridges to Recovery today for help. Getting back to a good place emotionally starts with just a simple inquiry.
Learn more about the Difference between Holiday Blues and Seasonal Depression Disorder.
