Read more: Local, Holiday Depression Seasonal Affective Disorder
We've all heard the song declaring this time of the year, the most wonderful time of the year and the happiest season of all, but the 9% of the population who statistically suffer from seasonal depression are singing a very different song.
“The cold and the damp and the gloomy, that doesn't help,” said Dorene Sherman, diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.
A few years ago, Sherman lost her mom and grandmother within four months of each other right around the holidays.
Revisiting those thoughts and memories during Christmas can sometimes trigger depressive episodes.
“It’s really hard when you've lost someone that's really important to you and you are at the holidays where family is supposed to be an important part of it,” said Sherman.
Dr. Victoria Kelly is a Psychiatrist with Unison Behavioral Health Group in Toledo.
She works with patients like Sherman to help them first understand the triggers.
It can be the anniversary of the loss of a loved one, or stresses involving the hosting of family during the holidays, or worrying about how to pay for Christmas presents.
“You feel like you need to be giving the gifts even though that's not the reason for the season, it's a big part of what society thinks,” said Sherman.
Dr. Kelly says initial symptoms of seasonal or holiday depression are low energy, feeling tired or just feeling blah, but as the depression deepens, the symptoms get worse.
“They complain of other things, loss of interest and pleasure in activities that they used to find enjoyable, crying spells, just not being able to function as well,” said Dr. Kelly.
The other thing Dr. Kelly tries to help her patients understand is that holiday depression, like other types is treatable.
She says diet and exercise help a lot, but there are also lots of medications and therapies to explore as well.
So cheer up Northwest Ohio, even if you are suffering from the holiday blues or worse, you can feel better and if not bring joy to the world, at least bring a little holiday happiness into your home.
“Even with all the stressors and the struggles, I look at for me it does help when I am able to pull it together and look at what it really means then it helps a lot,” said Sherman.
