Well, it’s time to get back into it. Truth be told, I’m not quite sure I got all the rest — well, more specifically, sleep — I needed during that holiday break, but ready or not, here comes the spring semester. Personally, my break was pretty good, yet lazy, and I hope yours was too.
Unfortunately, while many of us may be able to enjoy ourselves during the holidays and use up every ounce of R&R and unhealthy holiday food as intended, that can’t be said for everyone. You may have heard this before, but for some, the holidays are not the happy-go-lucky celebrations that many people, especially the media, make them out to be.
“Holiday depression,” as it is often referred to, is the terrible phenomenon many people go through where the holiday months, and sometimes all the festivities that come with them, negatively impact one’s mental and emotional health, and can make the extended “celebration” period a nightmare.
In some cases, holiday depression may be diagnosed as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Mayo Clinic describes the disorder as a surge of depression, and all its various symptoms, during certain seasons over others, and it is related to your personal melatonin and serotonin levels.
However, other cases may not be related at all to the specific time of the year, but rather the environment. Holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah are typically associated with friends and family. People who may have suffered some negative event in that aspect of their lives, like the loss of a loved one or feelings of loneliness, might look upon the encroaching holidays, and the stigma surrounding them, with dread.
Finally, major depressive disorder (commonly called depression), is an issue that many people have to face year-round. The jovial atmosphere of the holidays doesn’t always translate to an improved mood for people suffering from depression, and instead can even make them feel more left out.
Whatever the cause, there are symptoms you can be on the lookout for if you think you or your loved ones are struggling. Mayo Clinic lists signs such as extreme sadness, tiredness, slower movement or thoughts and even some physical aches as just some of the possible symptoms of depression. But they’re not as evident as they sound, and those suffering may not want others to find out. Someone very close to me has told me about his past methods to hide his symptoms from friends and family, so making sure someone is okay might be challenging.
My main hope is that even if you read through this column and came out going “well, the holidays are okay for me, so I’m good,” that you’ll be more on the lookout for possible signs of holiday depression in loved ones. That’s not an easy task I’m asking you to do either; HelpGuide describes the disorder — which the National Institute of Mental Health stated that more than 16 million American adults have had some experience with — as one of the most emotionally taxing issues you could ever help a loved one through.
I know that, with school starting back up for majority of those reading, your mind is primarily focused on overcoming those end-of-holiday blues and kicking off round two with a bang. But we’re not too far past “the season of giving” yet, and all I ask is that you look around you when you get the chance and give those near you the gift of consideration and compassion. Do what you can if you find out that the colder months have been a bit rougher for them than what awful Christmas cards and Hallmark movies make them out to be.
And please, if you or a close one are currently going through difficult times, I urge you to seek help, such as the NC State Counseling Center or a mental health emergency hotline.
