Holiday Depression & Stress
The holiday season is a time full of joy, cheer, parties, and
family gatherings. However, for many people, it is a time of
self-evaluation, loneliness, reflection on past failures, and
anxiety about an uncertain future.
What Causes Holiday Blues?
Many factors can cause the “holiday blues”: stress,
fatigue, unrealistic expectations, over-commercialization,
financial constraints, and the inability to be with one’s
family and friends. The demands of shopping, parties, family
reunions, and house guests also contribute to feelings of tension.
People who do not become depressed may develop other stress
responses, such as: headaches, excessive drinking, over-eating, and
difficulty sleeping. Even more people experience post-holiday let
down after January 1. This can result from disappointments during
the preceding months compounded with the excess fatigue and
stress.
Coping with Stress and Depression During the Holidays
Can Environment Be a Factor?
Recent studies show that some people suffer from seasonal
affective disorder (SAD) which results from fewer hours of sunlight
as the days grow shorter during the winter months. Phototherapy, a
treatment involving a few hours of exposure to intense light, is
effective in relieving depressive symptoms in patients with
SAD.
Other studies on the benefits of phototherapy found that exposure
to early morning sunlight was effective in relieving seasonal
depression. Recent findings, however, suggest that patients respond
equally well to phototherapy whether it is scheduled in the early
afternoon. This has practical applications for antidepressant
treatment since it allows the use of phototherapy in the workplace
as well as the home.
For More Information contact your local Mental Health Association,
community mental health center, or:
National Mental Health Association
2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone 703/684-7722
Fax 703/684-5968
Mental Health Resource Center 800/969-NMHA
TTY Line 800/433-5959
