Depression at Christmas

‘Tis the season to be jolly – but what if you’re feeling anything but jolly? Depression is common at this time of year, for many reasons.

There’s nothing like the festive season to force you to face the fact that life isn’t always as joyful and triumphant as we’re lead to believe. What happens?For single people, in particular, Christmas and New Year can be a very isolating time. But even if you’re surrounded by family and friends, this time of year can bring more than its fair share of stress, noise, anxiety and squabbles. Add this to long-standing money worries, family conflicts, job problems or bereavement, and it’s no wonder calls to helplines about depression and suicide rise by nearly ten per cent during the festive season. Difficult to spotAs many as one in three people experiences an episode of depression in their life, which means it’s almost inevitable that someone close to you will become depressed.So, what should you look out for? Most of us know what it’s like to occasionally feel a bit low. If this sort of mood continues, gets worse and interferes with normal life, it may be depression. Depression is a complicated problem, often hidden behind physical illness. This can be confusing because, for example, chronic pain can cause depression and depression can cause chronic pain. There are often symptoms of other psychological problems, such as anxiety, panic attacks, obsessions or phobias, which mask the depression. The following are common symptoms: – depressed mood – loss of interest in life, even in favourite hobbies or sports – loss of pleasure – getting no feelings of enjoyment, even from things most people would greatly enjoy – tiredness and fatigue- impaired concentration – thoughts of suicide – changes in appetite, either increased or decreased, including either weight gain or weight loss – changes in sleeping patterns, either never getting out of bed or roaming around all night and day – agitation and tetchiness or, alternatively, extreme placidity, which may go as far as physical slowing down- constant physical problems with no return to feeling well despite treatmentMost depression can be treatedMost cases of depression can be successfully treated, using antidepressant drugs (modern ones are very effective), psychological and social therapies. Despite this, the World Health Organisation estimates that by 2020, depression will be the second largest cause of death and disability in the world. One of the main problems is that as many as 50 per cent of people stop taking their treatment within six weeks, far too early to fully resolve the problem and prevent relapse. People who are depressed can find it hard to admit they have a problem and ask for help. Watch out for your friends and family. If you’re worried about someone, give them plenty of appropriate opportunities to talk to you. It can be difficult to start, but try questions such as “Have you anything on your mind?” or “Is there something bothering you at the moment?” Let them pick the moment to talk about their problems.Invite those who seem isolated to join in social events and keep inviting them even if they refuse (which they may well do – people with depression often don’t feel like socialising, or feel their contribution won’t be of value). Try to understand and accept what they say or even how they act, and help them explore possible ways to sort things out. Be as supportive as you can, learn about the condition, and don’t expect them to snap back to their old selves overnight. Don’t be afraid to talk about suicide or ask if they have thought about it. Focusing on suicide isn’t likely to encourage someone to do it. Encourage them to talk to someone in their family. A surprising number of suicides (especially among young men) come as a complete surprise to families, who had little idea what their loved one was going through and who spend the rest of their lives regretting they had no chance to help the person.Encourage them to seek professional help, or at least to unburden themselves to an anonymous telephone helpline. Keep pointing out that depression can be treated.(Source: BBC Health: Dr Trisha Macnair: December 2004.)