While the holiday season is viewed by most as a time of happiness and celebration, it can also be an emotionally charged time that challenges coping skills. Even those who love the holidays can succumb to feeling stressed, anxious, exhausted, and overwhelmed. The holiday season can exacerbate symptoms for people who already struggle with mental health issues like anxiety and depression. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that more than 60% of individuals with preexisting mental health conditions say their conditions worsen during the holidays.
Whether you live with depression daily or have seasonal depression, the depression treatment center at Harmony Hills can help you minimize holiday stress and manage your symptoms to enjoy the season. Our intake specialists provide a thorough assessment to help determine the best course of treatment for your unique mental health needs and life circumstances. Call 855.494.0357 or connect with us online to learn more about how you can benefit from depression treatment this holiday season.
Signs and Symptoms of Seasonal Depression
The holiday season affects everyone differently. While many undergo mild, temporary stress or anxiety, others experience significant depressive symptoms. Common signs and symptoms associated with seasonal depression include:
- Exhaustion and fatigue, despite sleeping more
- Difficulty making decisions or concentrating
- Avoiding commitments, isolating, or withdrawing from friends and family
- Heavier than usual reliance on alcohol, drugs, or nicotine
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Anger or irritability for no particular reason
- Loss of pleasure in things you previously enjoyed
- Feeling tense, worried, or anxious
- Significant changes in appetite, weight, and sleep habits
Often, the symptoms of seasonal depression are mild, do not interfere with daily functioning, and can be effectively managed with a combination of lifestyle choices, weekly outpatient therapy, and medication where indicated. However, some people experience more severe symptoms and require more intensive treatment, particularly when seasonal depression compounds pre-existing mental health issues.
Tips for Managing the Holidays and Depression
Managing your mental health during the holidays can feel challenging; however, it is possible with lifestyle changes and professional treatment. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding excess substance use, and utilizing healthy coping skills are lifestyle choices that can positively impact your mental health.
Other tips for managing the holidays and depression can include the following:
- Manage your expectations and make sure they are realistic for yourself and others
- Learn to say ‘no,’ and do not take on more than you can handle
- Make a list to help prioritize your tasks and responsibilities
- Create and stick to a budget for holiday spending
- Make time for yourself and prioritize self-care
- Avoid procrastination
- Volunteer and reach out to others
- Surround yourself with positive support
- Learn to identify triggers
- Utilize relaxation techniques and healthy coping skills
Unfortunately, you may succumb to unhealthy coping mechanisms to manage your depression despite your best efforts. If your depression symptoms feel unmanageable, it is imperative to seek professional help.
How a Depression Treatment Center Could Help
A depression treatment center offers specialized resources and support to address holiday depression. Working with mental health professionals provides a tailored approach using evidence-based therapies. These centers have knowledgeable staff for individual and group therapy, encouraging sharing and coping strategies for the holiday season. They often include holistic treatments like mindfulness, meditation, and art therapy to help navigate holiday stress and emotions.
A depression treatment center offers a safe, supportive space for those with holiday depression to express themselves without judgment. This community builds a sense of belonging and understanding, which is crucial for overcoming feelings of isolation or being overwhelmed. Centers provide educational resources for patients and families, helping them understand depression and holiday stress factors. By offering continuous care and support, these centers ensure individuals manage symptoms effectively during the holidays and develop long-term coping skills.
Find Help Coping with Holiday Depression at Harmony Hills
At Harmony Hills, we understand that, in addition to joy, the holidays can bring added stress and anxiety that contribute to depression symptoms. We believe that the best tool for managing seasonal depression is seeking support from caring professionals with the experience to help. We offer multiple levels of depression treatment to meet your specific needs. Call us at 855.494.0357, fill out our online form, or send us a chat to learn more about how to handle depression during the holidays and beyond.
