Dec. 17--The holidays should be a happy time with get-togethers, gift giving, food and fellowship, but for some people, those very things trigger a different response, such as stress, sorrow or depression.
"There's the stress of the season with unrealistic expectations, like feeling you have to fix a grand meal, go to all the parties, shopping," said Amy Scott, a licensed clinical social worker with Owensboro Medical Health System. "Stress can cause depression."
Scott said family issues can cause depression. If conflict already exists, spending time together during the holidays may not make things any better. In fact, some experts suggest the holidays are not the time to try to resolve problems, but rather ?leave them for a less-stressful period after the new year.
Not being able to visit with family during the holidays can cause other emotional reactions. Perhaps travel isn't possible due to work commitments or finances.
The death of a family member or close friend can trouble survivors, especially if it marks the first Christmas without him or her.
"It's OK to do something different," Scott said. "If you always got together at grandma's, it's OK to meet at someone else's house or at a restaurant.
"When the family gets together, reflect on the positive memories about the person who is absent. Make a toast to that person, or maybe hang a special ornament on the tree with a picture of the person on it. Make them a part of the holidays."
If someone lost a spouse, it's easy to get depressed, but children or other family members should make an effort to keep that person active and in contact with people.
"A person may want to withdraw and be isolated if they lost a spouse, but make sure to be with them so they're not alone," Scott said.
Other tips to combat holiday depression include keeping expectations real about what can be accomplished, sticking to a budget so bills don't come as a shock in January and February and taking care of one's own health so the holiday rush doesn't wear you down.
"If you have a party every weekend, make choices about what you really want to do," Scott said. "You can't do everything.
"If you stick to a budget, you won't have financial stress later. Getting those credit card bills can kick you into a depression.
"And make sure you eat healthy food and not just Christmas cookies. Get enough sleep, get exercise and get outside for 20 minutes of sunshine, even if it's cold. It will boost your mood."
Scott said for those already prone to depression, stay on medication and maybe schedule an extra appointment with a therapist "so you're talking to someone."
"If a person is prone to depression, don't drink alcohol," Scott said. "It's a depressant. You think it's going to make you feel better, but in the long run, it's going to make you feel more depressed."
Scott also said people should volunteer and help others to get their mind off of themselves.
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