Overcoming Depression Over the Holidays
Fighting sadness is tough anytime - but overcoming depression over the holidays can be heartwrenching Here, psychiatrist Harold Levinson, M.D., of the Levinson Medical Center for Learning Disabilities, describes five ways to overcome sadness during the holidays.
“Depressed people don’t always respond well to holidays and vacations where others appear happy and life seems beautiful,” says Dr Levinson. “This contrast often intensifies their own sense of inadequacy, jealousy of healthy others - and thus may intensify their already existing feelings of depression and even anger at their own inability to ‘snap out of it’ and enjoy life as they believe they should and as they see others do.”
For more details on treatments for depression, click on A Woman’s Guide to Overcoming Depression by Archibald Hart and Catherine Hart Webster. And to learn about overcoming depression, anti-depressants, other prescription medications, PMS, and the weather, read on…
Overcoming Depression Over the Holidays
If you’re depressed, Dr Levinson says your inability to “snap out of it” may be voiced by a frustrated or disappointed spouse, friend or family member. This could contribute to your feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Thus, a vicious cycle may unexpectedly occur during vacations - making it even more difficult to overcome depressing over the holidays.
Dr Levinson says, “A well know example is Christmas - where all are expected to be happy, joyous and delighted to share gifts and appreciate all that life offers us. Depressed people who cannot meet these expectations often feel worse.”
His five tips for overcoming depression over the holidays are…
1. Watch your prescription medication. “To make sure your prescription medications aren’t negatively interacting with holiday activities, follow my cardinal rule in treating all patients: Should adverse affects occur, blame the medication and/or doses first,” says Dr Levinson. “Lower the dose and determine if negative affects are lessened. Indeed, increased doses may occasionally be needed - depending on the circumstances. Also, alcohol, lack of sleep, etc., may negatively impact medication. Keep these factors in mind - especially if depression or anxiety intensifies. Anxiety may intensify depression, and vice versa.”
2. Be aware of the weather and the full moon. A natural treatment for depression over the holidays is to pay attention to the weather! ”During the holidays or on a vacation, external variables may be crucial in affecting mood and anxiety, such as sun, cold, altitude, humidity, barometric pressures, and so on,” says Dr Levinson. “Indeed, a ‘lack of sun’ can intensify depressed feelings. And even the full moon may play a role in some individuals. By contrast, too much sun and heat may have adverse affects and thus physiologically intensify mood variability and even the responses to existing medications. In some individuals, previously helpful medications may suddenly stop working or have negative affects.”
3. Plan for PMS. Dr Levinson says, “It’s also important to note that endocronological changes (menstruation, ovulation, etc.) may affect mood and medication/dose responses. Patients planning vacations should keep these factors in mind and plan accordingly.” PMS can be an obstacle to overcoming depression over the holidays, especially if you’re sensitive to those monthly symptoms. Natural PMS treatments are one way to overcome depression during the holidays and achieve your emotional health goals - but natural treatments can interfere with antidepressant medications, so make sure you talk to your doctor first.
4. Double-check your antidepressants. “Antidepressants can trigger or intensify depression and anti-anxiety medication can trigger anxiety,” says Dr Levinson. “Awareness of the above insights are crucial for people on antidepressants/anti-anxiety medications. Insight will rapidly lead to self-correction or compensatory behavior.
5. Know your triggers. Dr Levinson encourages people (depressed or not) to remember that holidays or vacations often expose individuals to transitions. You’re often leaving a known and comfortable environment to go to a new and uncertain one, and can be dealing with social comparisons and disappointments, etc. Again, the more you’re aware of these factors, the more successful you’ll be in overcoming depression over the holidays.
For more information on Dr. Harold Levinson, M.D. - and his books - go to the Levinson Medical Center for Learning Disabilities. For immediate help, consider the Midwest Center’s Attacking Anxiety & Depression Program.
Do you have any questions or thoughts on overcoming depression over the holidays? I welcome your comments below…
