Depression, stress can peak this time of year

Feelings and emotions during the holiday season often vary more than any at other time of the year. Excitement and happiness may shift to disappointment and sadness in a roller coaster-like fashion.

The tragic events of September 11, 2001 will make this holiday season one in which many people are having to do deal with grief and loss issues. Additionally, bio-terrorism and the war in Afghanistan have created anxiety, fear and uncertainty for many individuals, causing more stress during this already potentially stressful season. The economic downturn with the resulting job losses experienced by many will also be a negative factor during the time between Thanksgiving and New Years.

Dealing with holiday seasonal stress is always a challenge and those needing help during this season may want to start by examining some of the symptoms of holiday seasonal stress syndrome:


• Feeling sad, lonely or isolated. Those individuals with pre-existing depression or anxiety may have more pronounced difficulties over the holiday season.
Experiencing emptiness, chronic fatigue, numerous aches and pains and dread of the holidays.
Withdrawal and self-absorption.
Obsessional thoughts and behaviors associated with attempting to achieve the “perfect holiday season”.
Excessive eating and/or consumption of alcohol.
Lack of sleep and over commitment to family and social activities.
Tension between gathered family members with long-standing differences or conflicts between divorced parents struggling with each other over the division of their children’s time.
Renewed or magnified grieving over the loss of loved ones triggered by holiday nostalgia and music.

Several groups of people are especially prone to holiday seasonal stress and these include the following:

The elderly-living alone or without supportive friends or family close by. These individuals frequently spend their days with only nostalgic memories of happier times.
Singles-separated from families and places of origin. They may not have formed new friends and acquaintances and feel lonely and isolated.
Newly divorced couples or those who have recently experienced a death in the family who feel a sense of loss and sadness.
Homemakers and breadwinners who have exhausted themselves in making elaborate preparations for the holidays.
Those in the military who may be serving abroad in a place far from their home while providing protection for the rest of us.

For many, the holiday season produces a shift away from normal routine. Many of us are creatures of habit. Our biological/perceptual clock, containing a rhythm related to work and time off, is often deregulated during the holidays. Festivities and social activities can cause us to deviate from our normal activity cycle. If the festivities and holiday activities last for several weeks, many individuals feel stress.

Next week I will discuss some ways for reducing the risk of holiday seasonal stress.

Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 2001