Holiday Blues

Feelings of sadness or depression during the holiday season are quite common for many people. For some, the holidays are a time of excitement and fun, but for others the season is a time of loneliness, self-reflection and anxiety. The phenomenon, known as the "holiday blues," can affect one's enjoyment of the season.

The holiday season can be a particularly difficult time for people who have lost loved ones. Those who are grieving a loss can find themselves sinking deep into depression around the holidays, while others around them are celebrating happy times with friends and family. The emotional burden of grief, coupled with the typical stress associated with the holiday season, can overwhelm the grieving person. Experts say acknowledging the sadness, and even anticipating it, can help. Many experts advise modifying family traditions: consider hanging a Christmas stocking for a deceased loved one, and having each family member write a note of remembrance inside. Above all, experts say don't push: do what your heart feels like doing.WebMD: Finding Holiday Joy Amid the Grief

"You don't have to have full-blown depression to experience the holiday blues... But if you have a period of more than two weeks where you have a depressed mood, crying spells, sleep problems, feelings of guilt and thoughts of death or suicide, you probably have a major depression and should seek medical care. You're moving beyond the holiday blues."—Dr. Kenneth Johnson, psychiatrist at Columbia St. Mary's in Milwaukee, WisconsinBeliefnet: Ten Ways to Beat the Holiday Blues

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have the holiday blues, please consult your doctor.