Loss, Change & Grief
Basics about the Holiday Blues
 
Journey of Hearts
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It has taken me a while to get this section together on "The Blues," because for some reason this year, despite trying to 'talk myself out of it,' I found myself slipping into the Holiday Blues again.
Working on this section has helped to pull me out of it, along with several long brisk walks with reflecting on what I value in my life, remembering all that I have to be thankful for, and remembering to say "Good-Bye" to loved ones lost this year. (See We Remember Them, Remember Me and My Wish for You)



Background Information

Many people have a different experience of the Holidays. For many, it is time of joy, peace on earth and good will towards men and optimistic hope for the new year. But for others it is a time of self-evaluation and loneliness, to reflect on the past their accomplishments and failures. These feelings may result in a condition that has been termed the Holiday Blues or Holiday Depression. There are many different causes and many different contributors. When severe the symptoms may even mimic clinical depression.

In my own case for many years during my years of medical training, I would find myself slipping into the Blues before Thanksgiving, only to emerge sometime after Valentine's Day. With a Birthday over this time, and having spent many holidays being single, I found this a difficult time. There was often little to look forward to, working on the holidays, covering for those who had children or families. For me especially, it was a time for self reflection and for loneliness. Added to this was the media 'coverage' of the holiday season--in particular the images of happy couples and happy families all having the perfect holiday. These constant reminders only made things worse. Trying to rationalize and convince myself that other people had much more to be "blue" would help a bit, but didn't seem to alleviate the feelings. These Blue Holiday periods have lessened since getting married, and learning how to set realistic plans for the season. This year, however, the blues are career blues.

The feelings of Holiday Blues can be intense and unsettling, holiday blues are generally short-lived, lasting only a few days to a few weeks around the holiday season (prior to or just after). These seemingly contradictory emotions usually subside after the holiday season and a daily routine is resumed.

The key to coping with the Holiday Blues is understanding the Blues, what may be your triggers, knowing how to respond to these feelings and setting realistic expectations for the holiday season.

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Blues vs. Depression
It is important to distinguish between the blues, which often subside after the holidays and clinical depression, which often requires professional help and/or treatment. We often use the term "depression" to describe feelings of: sadness, unhappiness, stress, fatigue, or a generalized sense of dis-ease, but it does not meet the definition of Clinical Depression.
The major differences are summarized below: With a bit of time, and following some of the following suggestions, the symptoms of the Blues can often improve.
The concern is when the feelings of the blues linger on for more than two weeks. In this case, it may be a Depression. Left untreated, depression can become a serious and life-threatening disorder.
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Factors that can contribute Holiday Blues

The factors that can contribute to the Holiday Blues can be grouped into three major categories:

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Symptoms of the Holiday Blues

Symptoms of the Holiday Blues, when severe, may mimic clinical depression. The keys to distinguishing are the length of time and and ability to find ways to ease the "Blues."

The concern is when the feelings of the blues linger on for more than two weeks. In this case, it may be a Depression. Left untreated, depression can become a serious and life-threatening disorder.
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Assessing the Risk for Suicide

There are conflicting reports as to whether the suicide rate increases during the holiday, or afterwards. Whether or not there is an increased incidence of suicide, we know there is an increased incidence of depression, mental health visits and the blues, both during the holiday and up to three weeks after the holidays. Therefore, it is important to recognize the warning signs of suicide.

Anyone having suicidal thoughts should seek immediate care, either through their own doctor or through the nearest hospital emergency department.

For more information you can also link to the page on Assessing the Risk for Suicide
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Finding Help for the Blues

If you suspect you may be depressed or know someone who may be depressed, then contact your health care provider or family physician. He/she may be able to help sort out if what you are experiencing is a transient case of the Holiday Blues or a more serious case of depression. You may also want to contact a counselor, social worker, or clergy member to help get the resources needed.

There are several quizzes (Self Assessment Quiz , Wakefield Questionnaire ) available on this site to help those visiting to assess their level of depression.

If you are feeling depressed-- CALL SOMEONE--a friend, or family member, your clergy or physician. Look in the Yellow pages under Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers and Psychiatrists, if you feel you may need immediate professional assistance.

Anyone having suicidal thoughts should seek immediate care, either through their own doctor or through the nearest hospital emergency department. Call 911, your local suicide hot-line or Crisis Intervention Line, located in the Yellow Pages.

You can also contact the Samaritans via e-mail at:

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Coping with the Blues

There are a variety of different coping strategies for dealing with the Holiday Blues. The list here and on the page for More Suggestions for Dealing with the Blues were compiled from a variety of different resources, common sense and brainstorming with friends and colleagues as to what helps us get out of the Blues. (If these suggestions don't work, then it is time to consider an assessment for depression)

As a general rule of thumb, if the symptoms of hopelessness and depression last for more than two weeks, or if they worsen, see your doctor. Anyone having suicidal thoughts should seek immediate care, either through their own doctor or through the nearest hospital emergency department.
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Ways of Dealing with Old Unwanted Memories

The following list come from the website for the Fox Family Channel Home and Family show, now off the air. The article was from Marilyn Kagen (Therapist and Talk Show Hostess) from 1996, and can still be found on their website at: http://homeandfamily.com/features/relate/blues.html. Her suggestions seemed to include those who are facing the holiday season without loved ones, as well as the common-sense ones.
I thought many of these suggestions were worth including (slightly edited).

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Most of all, I would encourage all those who find this site, what I encouraged the members of the Journey of Hearts E-mailing list to do:
Last updated December 9, 1999
 
The Beat the Holiday Blues!  is from the Home and Family Show and © 1996 International Family Entertainment, Inc.
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