Battling Depression And Anxiety During The Holidays
During this season of caring and sharing, it might be hard to cope with feelings of depression and anxiety. After all, it is "the season to be jolly." But if you don't feel jolly, either because of an underlying depression, or because of unmet expectations, there are ways to cope during the holidays.
Psychiatrists and other experts in treating depression advise that your toolkit include these strategies:
• Plan ahead - you know there will be pressure to dash from event to event. Map out what you choose to do in advance and count backwards from the big day. This is your battle plan.
• Allow yourself to feel the negative emotions that are clamoring for your attention. What are you feeling? Why?
• Be realistic - Are you trying to do too much? Why? What can you do without added stress?
• Set aside differences with your loved ones and friends. Celebrate the joy for today.
• Set a budget and stick to it.
• Learn to say no.
• Keep up your healthy habits, such as working out and choosing nutritious foods.
• Take some time for quiet reflection.
• Seek out therapy if you need it.
In the midst of working your way through your lists of things to do, adding outward focused activities such as checking out community tree lightings, church and social gatherings takes the focus off yourself and on to others with similar interests. Your friends also provide another source of support if you're feeling a bit lonely and unsteady.
And speaking of support - the greatest gift you can give to others is your time and caring. Look for opportunities to volunteer at your local homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Perhaps you've been meaning to clean out your closets. Now's a great time to donate warm clothing and household items to people in need. You'll probably find you benefit from these acts of kindness as much as the people in need whom you have helped.
If you find, though, that your holiday stress is feeling a bit more serious, be on the lookout for these signs of clinical depression:
• Instead of celebrating, you're not able to make yourself leave the house.
• You just can't enjoy life, and don't have the energy to get going.
• You experience changes in your eating and sleeping habits.
• You have thoughts of suicide.
These are warning signals - if you're already in depression treatment, you should continue seeing your therapist during this difficult time. If you haven't yet found help, these symptoms are cause to do so.
By being in touch with your emotions, having a plan to cope with any negative thoughts or feelings, and looking outward for opportunities to help others, it is possible to feel the joy and equip yourself to battle the blues during the holiday season.
About the Author
Author Stephen Daniels highly recommends Vatsal Thakkar, M.D., of http://www.solsticenyc.com to those in the NYC area seeking psychiatric assistance. He is devoted to helping all his patients lead as normal a life as possible. His methods include naturalistic treatment methods for all manner of psychiatric illnesses, as well as the skill to recognize when a medical condition could be causing psychiatric symptoms, and vice versa.
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