For most people, the holiday season is a time of joy and happiness, filled with parties, presents and family functions. For some, however, this time of year can be hard to bear. Whether it’s because of stress, loneliness or anxiety about the future, holiday depression can happen to anyone at any time.
A recent article on Depression-Guide.com highlights some important facts about holiday depression. These include:
- Seniors are more prone to holiday depression.
- Women are more susceptible to holiday depression than men.
- Depression and suicide rates are at their highest during the holidays.
- People who don’t view themselves as depressed (but actually are) have a tendency to be stressed, drink more alcohol, eat too much food, and may have headaches or difficulty sleeping.
- Post-holiday sadness can occur after all the festivities are over.
What to do about holiday depression:
First off, if you feel that you’re depressed, do everything possible to not be alone for the holidays! Other ways to fight depression include listening to non-holiday music, simplifying your gift-card or gift-giving routine, scaling back on decorating, and more.
Remember, if you or someone you know is suffering from depression, whether or not it’s related to the holidays, it’s never too late to seek help. Even if you don’t contact Turning Point Centers, we encourage you to seek help from a proper treatment facility.