Depression and the Holiday Season

Loneliness, depression and the holidays go hand in hand with some people. If you know someone going through a difficult situation this holiday season and would like to help out. To be capable of helping a friend or family member with their depression during the holidays you must understand what it is about the holiday season that makes that triggers their depression.

This holiday season will be different for just about everyone; our difficult economic times effect families without discrimination. No doubt this year presents will not be as big, nor the trees and trimmings as extravagant, but some will have to go through the holiday season without being close to the ones they love. This itself can be a depressing thought. Family members that live far away will have a choice to make this year. Some have to choose between being there physically with their family or to send presents and their well-wishes and be there in thought this year.

Normally if a spouse has passed on before another, the living spouse will no longer feel the need to celebrate the holiday season without them. Their partner was everything to them and when a part of them has been removed a little time to heal may do the trick. During the holiday season many of those who have lost a spouse will choose to be by them self and reflect on the past they have lost. This is a normal part of the grieving process especially for those experiencing a new loss during the holidays.

We all remember how magical the holiday season was to us as children, and as parents we want nothing more than to give this to our children as well. Some parents must go through the Thanksgiving and Christmas season without their children.This is especially sad and is a major cause of depression because a parent's joy of seeing their child practically glowing on that magical morning is enough to bring tears to the eye of any parent. Christmas and the holiday season is all about kids in many households and when you take away this element, there seems to be no reason to celebrate without them. Your children are a part of you, imagine how it would feel if a part of you was missing.

The feeling of loneliness and depression is greater for many during the holiday season. For some, seeing all of the happy holiday commercials is enough to make them break down into tears, wanting nothing more than to stay in bed for days. If you have a depressed or grieving family member try talking to them about their feelings. Many people start to feel better after they have gotten things off their chest. Sometimes being there to listen is the best holiday gift of all - and it's free.