“Struggle and pain is real. We’ve all been there on some level or another.” — Dwayne Johnson

The holidays are upon us. You can feel it in the air. (Along with the bite of freezing weather). People are gathering with family and friends. Decorations are going up. Children and adults are excited about the upcoming break from school or work. But this is not true for everyone. So many people find the holidays to be sad, lonely, anxious, and depressive. Even people who normally enjoy the season can suffer the blues, but we should be mindful that there may be a reason that they feel this way. More than half of people diagnosed with mental illnesses state that the holidays make their conditions worse. The holidays can put a lot of pressure and stress on people.

All people feel down occasionally, but for most, it is only temporary. The expectations that we put on ourselves can be harmful to our mental health by trying to make the perfect holiday, whether trying to outdo a former holiday or relive a memorable one. Grief of not meeting those expectations or grief of a loved one who is not here this holiday season can make people depressed. Throw in low self-esteem or self-blame, and it could become more than temporary. These feelings can grow and grow until they affects a person’s daily life. Some symptoms of depression can be changes in sleep patterns, lack of interest in normal activities, irritability over little things, feeling worthless, suicidal thoughts, and unexplained physical illnesses. If the symptoms are interrupting your day-to-day activities, you should seek out help.

Depression is classified as a mood disorder. What causes depression can be a variety of one or more things: early childhood trauma, chemical imbalance in the brain, hormones, family history, pain, substance abuse, and/or medical conditions. It can be short-term or lifelong. It is more common than you would think. It can be coupled with another mental illness. People present with it in many ways.

Depression is an equal-opportunity mental health condition. No one is immune. The stigma of seeking treatment is lessening as celebrities and notable people step forward and talk about their struggles with depression. People, who most of us would say have it made. You can try to pull yourself out of your funk by using lifestyle tips like exercise, setting limits, avoiding alcohol or substance abuse, eating healthy, getting enough sleep, becoming part of a group, and getting some fresh air and sunshine. You can successfully manage depression with treatment. Therapy, medication, or a combination of the two can be helpful. But first, you need to see your provider and talk to them. Believe it or not, they are not mind readers. If a treatment does not work, talk to your provider; they can help find you another plan to reach your goal.

If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, please call Behavior Health at 530-993-6746 (Loyalton office) or 530-289-3711 (Downieville office), 1-888-840-8418 (24/7 Toll-Free Access Line), or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.

Because I truly wish that everyone has a HAPPY HOLIDAY.

“Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” — Clarence the Angel from It’s a Wonderful Life

Referenced: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes

Take good care of yourself,

Nurse Deb