Holiday Depression – Thanksgiving Blues Causes
Distinguishing Situational Depression from Clinical Depression
Traditionally, the holidays provide an opportunity to spend time with family and cherished friends. But for many, this time of year is associated with chaos and distress.
Calls to crisis centers are significantly increased during the period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. The number one complaint is depression.
Women and Clinical Depression
Besides the physiological differences between men and women, women experience chemical and hormonal shifts not commonly seen in men. Emotional distress and depression are a growing concern among women because the triggers are varied and often difficult to distinguish. In women, depression is most often connected to:
- Genetic factors;
- Hormonal factors;
- Chemical factors;
- Emotional factors; and
- Environmental factors.
What is Depression? What Causes Depression?
According to the American Psychiatric Association depression is a serious medical condition that negatively affects the way a person feels and subsequently behaves. It is important to differentiate between short-term normal bouts of depression, referred to as situational depression, and true clinical depression that can only be resolved with medication.
At some point or another, most people will suffer from a mild episode of depression. These episodes are normal and often related to significant life changing events like:
- Death of a loved one;
- Divorce;
- end of a relationship;
- Loss of employment;
- Bankruptcy; and
- Diagnosis of a serious illness.
Emotions and Depression - Express your Feelings
Society is often quick to label emotional expressions of pain as cause for intervention or as cause to write a prescription for medication.To be human is to feel and experience emotion. Without feelings, humans would be dead inside, uncaring, and detached.
The expression of feelings is healthy and necessary to living a well-balanced life. For example, the death of a loved one can stimulate overwhelmingly painful emotions, and it is through these emotions that grieving must take place. It is through the grief process that we learn how to cope with unbearable pain and sorrow.
What is Situational Depression?
Situational depression usually starts with an emotional trigger that for many, can be during a holiday. Perhaps the holiday is reminiscent of a happier time such as, Thanksgiving with a parent that is now gone.
The emotional discomfort is typically short-term, and lasts several weeks. It is a way for the body to signal a time-out, a need for rest and reflection. Normally the bereaved emerges from the self-driven isolation feeling refreshed, invigorated, and ready to tackle what lies ahead. Very often, situational depression will result in healthy changes from deciding to be more out-going to taking a trip on a plane for the first time.
What is Clinical Depression?
Situational depression that does not resolve within a few weeks could be an indication that the individual is not coping as well as can be expected. At this time, several visits with a counselor to develop better coping mechanism may be necessary. Conversely, if the depression is worsening and coping is dysfunctional then medication is often warranted.
Depression can also be a sign of a true chemical or hormonal imbalance. Such imbalances can occur at anytime in a person's life, and would require medical and prescriptive intervention. Moreover, immediate attention is warranted anytime a person talks about suicide or is obsessed with death and dying.
The holidays can be a very difficult time for many people and often will trigger bouts of depression. Often depression can be a healthy outlet for the body, while other times it can be a signal of a serious condition. In either case, medical intervention may be required and will help in developing better coping skills, and a return to a healthy state of being.
For more information on holiday depression and related concerns, please visit:
American Psychiatric Association
http://depressiongrief.suite101.com/article.cfm/depression_and_physical_manifestations_of_pain
Emotional Distress
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