Am I Sad or Depressed?
For some, the holidays are joyous times with family, friends and possibly a little time away from work. Enjoying good food, good company, good music and spreading holiday cheer is the picturesque vision seen on just about every show, social media outlet or water cooler story we come across. However, we sometimes do not see the many people that struggle a little more during the holidays due to grief and loss or “the winter blues.”
Contrary to what we see on television, social media or even the stories and experiences shared by family and friends, many people experience sadness during the holiday season. For some, it may be temporary, only lasting a few days or a couple weeks. For others, it could more problematic, as it may be reoccurring year round. If this is the case, speaking with a doctor might be best to determine if you are suffering from Major Depression or rule out any medical concerns.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) Major Depression is characterized by a few of the following symptoms:
· Depressed mood for most of the day nearly every day (feelings of sadness, hopelessness, emptiness)
· Changes in sleep patterns (too much sleep or insomnia)
· Increased craving for carbohydrates (can cause weight gain)
· Lack of interest or lack of pleasure in all or almost all activities
One suggested treatment option for Depression is talk therapy. It can be beneficial to speak with a therapist to verbalize your concerns and difficulties. Another benefit to therapy is that verbalizing allows you to get the problem outside of yourself and the therapist can help navigate and provide tools to cope. Depression can be isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. Check with your doctor for more information regarding Depression and determine if speaking with a therapist is right for you.
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American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: