Surviving Holiday Depression

SPRINGFIELD — If you’re feeling ‘a little down’ this holiday season, don’t be alarmed; you are not alone.

“Many persons simply cannot live up to the often unreal expectations of the perfect holiday as portrayed in movies, television and magazines,” said Dr. Benjamin Liptzin, chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, Baystate Health System.

“The general assumption is that we are supposed to feel happy and close to our family during the holidays, but that just isn’t the case for everyone,” he said.

Dr. Liptzin noted that the term “holiday depression” that persons often read or hear about at this time of year is not a specific diagnosis.

“Holiday depression is not an illness,” said Dr. Liptzin, “but persons may experience a sullen feeling around the holidays for a number of reasons.”

Dr. Liptzin noted that the recent loss of a loved one, the inability to afford presents, and family stresses may contribute to a ‘blue Christmas.’ And, he said this year the holiday stress might be amplified for some by the continuing war in Iraq and uncertainty about the economy and their own future.

The Baystate psychiatrist said that you can have a bad day and feel down once in a while, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re under the spell of depression.
He said that persons should consider seeking professional help if they are experiencing several of the following symptoms of clinical depression:

• depressed mood
• trouble sleeping
• appetite loss
• loss of concentration
• crying spells
• suicidal feelings
• fatigue
• loss of interest in routine activities

“If you are experiencing several of these symptoms for more than a week and you find that they are beginning to interfere with your job and everyday life, then you should have a professional evaluation,” said Liptzin.

There is reason for hope, however.

“Depression is common and treatable. About 80{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of depression cases are helped with psychotherapy or antidepressant medication,” noted Dr. Liptzin.

For more information on depression, or for a referral to a physician, call The Professionals at 794-2255 or outside the Springfield calling area at
(800) 377-HEALTH.