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Music, decorations and special events all emphasize the idea of the holiday season as a joyful time of year. For many, however, it is a time of stress, loneliness and/or depression. Even those who enjoy this time of year can get the “holiday blues” during this busy time.
For those with a prior mental health condition, like many of our Flatrock care home residents, those blues may be more common and pronounced. In fact, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that as many as 64% of people with an existing mental illness indicate their conditions worsen during the holidays.
Some symptoms to look for that may indicate holiday depression include:
- Changes in appetite, weight and sleep patterns
- Irritable or “down” mood
- Feeling more tired than usual
- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, anxiety and worry
- Indifference to activities that used to be pleasurable
If you, or someone you care for, exhibits signs of holiday depression, simple lifestyle changes and social support can help. Encouraging exercise and social interactions can alleviate some of the symptoms of the holiday blues.
While the “holiday blues” are not recognized as a mental condition, it doesn’t mean that if symptoms are severe that help shouldn’t be sought to rule out medical conditions that may be contributing to the symptoms; or if the symptoms last longer than the holiday season.
At Flatrock, we understand that for many of our residents the holidays can trigger feelings that are less than jolly during the holidays. So our staff works hard year-round to ensure the well-being of all our residents.
