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Holiday Depression and StressThe following information was adapted from a fact sheet prepared by The National Mental Health Association (NMHA). 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”:
The demands of shopping, parties, family reunions and houseguests also contribute to feelings of tension. People who do not become depressed may develop other stress responses, such as:
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 HolidaysKeep the following recommendations in mind when dealing with the stress of the season:
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 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 on this and other mental health issues, as well as local referrals, search our web site by using the links and the Search Our Site box on the left of this page. Contact the National Mental Health Association at: National Mental Health Association Return to the top of the page.
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