The holidays are typically anticipated as a time of joy, festivity, celebrating life with friends and family. But for some, it triggers feelings of sadness, loneliness and even depression.

A survey of Americans found that 70% of adults said the holidays are the best time of the year. But 30% said they are likely to experience anxiety, loneliness or depression during those weeks.

There are several reasons why people may struggle, say licensed therapists who care for patients through Novant Health's psychiatric services. Oftentimes patients who experienced a difficult childhood, and troublesome Christmas seasons, now dread the holidays. This childhood trauma can spur a yearly anniversary reaction.

Grief and loss can play a role as well. If a person has lost a mom, dad, or significant other during the holidays, they may feel blue and not necessarily know why they feel so bad during the holidays years later.

Others may not experience the holidays as they once did. Their children are now adults so they don’t decorate the house, for instance. Others are alone. And, there are the pressures of popular culture that barrage us with unrealistic notions of what Christmas is “supposed” to be.

People who are most vulnerable to anxiety at Christmas are those with clinical depression. The holidays require a lot of energy from us. Children, friends and relatives have high expectations about Christmas, and it can become overwhelming.

Society also places unrelenting pressure on the season. People get questioned, "Did you put the tree up? Have you done your shopping?" Christmas on TV can look very shiny. Being bombarded with this can be very difficult for many.

How can you manage these complex feelings and emotions during the holiday season? Here are some tips.

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Psychiatrist-recommended advice for managing the holiday blues

Take action.

You can replace the trappings of Christmas with something else that you enjoy. Some ideas: Plan a cruise at Christmas, watch a Star Wars marathon or some other series that you like with a bucket of popcorn, or plan an activity with a friend who is also alone over the holidays. If you know you suffer from mild depression during the holidays, have a plan. Don’t wait for the bad feelings to surround you.

Watch out for SAD.

For some, the holiday blues are caused by seasonal affective disorder, a common type of depression that occurs every year as days shorten in the winter. In most individuals, it is treatable with an adjustment in medication and light therapy.

Signs of the disorder include experiencing depression and being unable to function every winter. If you’re unable to get out of bed and go to work or school, or are unable to meet your social obligations specifically during the winter months, you may have seasonal affective disorder.

Consider treatment.

People who are unable to function in daily life, or who realize their depression is brought on by triggers such as prolonged grief, would benefit from seeing a specialist that could provide treatment for them with medication and/or psychotherapy.

Find a support group.

Seek out support groups for people with SAD, or people who need help coping with the loss of a loved one. People in your group, with the assistance from the group facilitator, can exchange ideas with you and provide suggestions for forward movement when you are depressed and have difficulty thinking through things on your own.

Annotation 2024-07-04 111036

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