Complete with long-lost friends, extended family, turkey, and an occasional gift or two, Thanksgiving and the winter holidays offer joyous times to celebrate in the company of loved ones. How can the holidays offer anything but happiness?
On the surface, it seems strange that happy times could be overshadowed by sadness, but many people get a little down over the holidays. Sudden reunions, impossible parental expectations, sibling rivalry, and lost relationships - they all contribute to a sense of sadness many experience during the holiday season. These feelings can build up, culminating in outbursts, gloominess, or even tears.
The attacks of Sept. 11 may also contribute to the feelings of depression, according to Massachusetts Department of Health Commissioner Marylou Sudders, who predicted long-lasting effects of the tragedy in an October interview with the Boston Herald.
"Our nation has suffered a great emotional and psychological trauma from the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 and will continue to do so in the aftermath," she said, adding that the patriotism many Americans felt in the aftermath of the events may give way to more morose feelings as terrorism threats continue into the holidays.
Winter break is especially trying for returning college students. Tufts' "Hooper Health Beat," the newsletter put out by Health Services, advises students on how to deal with parents during the winter break. "Although your family may seem like they have all been invaded by alien beings, you are actually the one who is growing and changing at an enormous rate. Give them some time to get used to the new, independent you, and try to be patient."
Holiday depression makes up a large part of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a winter-related depression marked by changes in behavior and mood. Many find the season difficult to begin with, but scientists say that a lack of sunlight can contribute to physical and emotional changes. Because winter days are shorter, wake-sleep cycles are sometimes thrown off. And over the winter holidays, those feelings of depression can be exacerbated.
Experts have noticed a depression unique to the holidays, however. "We do know that holidays tend to be very difficult for many people," Betsy Schwartz, executive director of the Mental Health Association of Greater Houston, told The Houston Chronicle last December. "Because the winter holidays are so filled with sentiment and traditions of both a religious and family nature, the emotions we may be able to keep at bay the rest of the year tend to surface at this time."
The absence of a loved one, either through death or distance, can make the holidays tough. Underlying depressions can also surface. Plus, the holidays are a time of great indulgence, from shopping to consuming food and alcohol. These can lead to empty wallets and full stomachs that leave people depressed after the season has passed.
As if this isn't enough, an additional factor is the so-called "anniversary reaction," explains Julie Jampel, Supervising Senior Psychologist for the Tufts Counseling Center. Anniversary reactions occur when a specific event triggers a painful memory. Jampel provides the example of a student who has lost a parent.
"If a student's parent has died, then holiday time might be particularly distressing for that student because the parent is no longer present at gatherings," she said.
Schwartz says that acknowledging pent-up feelings is often the best way to overcome feelings of depression. For example, if someone constantly finds themselves bickering with the same sibling at the table, Schwartz recommends confronting the problem directly. Once that is done, it is fairly easy to gauge the gravity of the situation - or lack thereof - and move on.
In addition to acknowledging holiday emotions, experts emphasize that it is important to keep busy and talk with family and friends about common anxieties. Staying away from alcohol and drugs, as well as avoiding major life changes are also strongly suggested. Many turn to drugs and alcohol as an escape from their unhappiness.
Holiday depression can happen to anyone. The real question, especially in these trying times, is how we handle it. And if all else fails, the holiday season is only one month of the year - so hibernation is always an alternative. After all, there are eleven months to work up to the next season.
