Surviving the Holidays
The Holiday season is upon us with all its deadlines, shopping, parties, and commitments of various sorts. It should be a joyous, fun time for family and friends. But, in truth, the demands of this frantic season can frazzle even those who do not suffer from depression. But what if you want to be engaged in Holiday activities even though you have depression?
Are you currently being treated for depression? If so, check with your doctor to make sure that you are on the correct dose of the right medication. If you are in therapy, don't give it up right now - make therapy a priority. Often people stop seeing their therapists during the Holidays, then crash afterwards.
If you are not undergoing treatment for depression, do you have a personal history or family history of depression? Do you feel that you are starting to have depressive symptoms? (see this topic's June 2, 2003, article -"Introduction: Identifying Depression") If so, seek help now! Don't wait for the symptoms to become more severe.
Don't worry, I won't give you extra assignments to fill up your time. Just a few reminders about appropriate self-care should suffice.
Avoid alcohol. What? No Holiday cheer? Alcohol is not necessary to Holiday cheer. In fact, it is a central nervous system depressant. The last thing you need right now is something to add to your depressive symptoms! I know that people often appear to have a great time when they're drinking, but they usually don't feel so great the next morning.
Alcohol also counteracts the antidepressant effects of your medication, and may make the side effects worse. In other words, it doesn't combine well with antidepressants.
No, I am not anti-alcohol per se, but I have seen what it does to people who are already depressed. If you feel that you really must drink, then limit it to one (2 ounces) drink with dinner. No more than that!
Pay attention to what you eat. It's okay to enjoy the goodies that are so tempting at this time of year. Just enjoy them in moderation. Try to keep your diet as healthy as you can, but do save room for desserts and cookies. If everything looks delicious, then take a very small serving of everything. The key is - Don't overeat! Sugars and carbohydrates, if eaten in large amounts, can actually make one feel more depressed and lethargic. Eat them, but in moderation.
The copyright of the article Surviving the Holidays in Female Depression is owned by Mari Brodersen. Permission to republish Surviving the Holidays in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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