Help For Holiday Depression

The holiday season is a time for family social gathering and holiday celebration. But for many people the holidays are a time of sadness grief loneliness stress anxiety and depression. You are not alone. 

The holiday season takes a toll. The results...Headaches insomnia stress and anxiety and more are the results. Gloomy weather cold temperatures and shorter daylight hours cause depression to increase. Many can relate to the pain due to changes in the atmospheric pressure and moisture. PAIN so bad you have trouble getting up in the morning. Add to that work of holiday festivities. And remember the food and the young lady with PCOS who so desperately tries to stick to stick to her plan.  Or the patient with diabetes. Pain anxiety and frustration are devastating. Dont forget seniors the most susceptible to holiday blues. Memories of happier times flood the mind. The mind remembers tradition and people that shared them. The elderly may find physical immobility mental impairment and increased pain preventing holiday celebration like years gone by. Memories can be devastating. Inability to function properly and perform activities of daily living brings frustration. A state of depression becomes common during the holiday season. But manageable because holiday festivities are all around. But please be aware. Suicidal thoughts and suicide increase after holiday festivities according to HCA. Allow me to share some reasons for holiday sadness…

·        Stress

·        Fatigue

·        Unrealistic expectations

·        Over-commercialization

·        Financial stress

·        Inability to be with family and friends

You are not alone. The hustle and bustle of the time between Thanks Giving and New Years is stressful and sometimes overwhelming.  Juggling holiday shopping parties family and friends with everyday obligations can feel impossible sometimes. Add to that the constant stream of holiday commercials. Consumer marketing brings more stress and fatigue. Sometimes you just want to scream "Enough already." You are not alone. Next week: suggestions to relieve holiday stress and depression. Need help now?  Suicide prevention hotline 1-800-273-8255

References:

1.      Holiday Depression and Stress, WebMD

2.      It Is Alright To Be Sad During the Holidays, Accepting sadness is healthier than denial & key to progress forward, Judith J Wurtman Ph.D., Psychology Today, Dec 19, 2015

3.      Holiday Blues and Older Adults, Laureate Way, Laureate Group

Back Pain and Suicide

withdrawal, substance abuse, psy with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS. Woman with Polycistic Ovary Syndrome battle weight gain obesity physical physiological and mental health conditions. And chronic pain and health conditions are on the rise…

An estimated 45% of people who die of suicide see the doctor about one month before suicide. Twenty-two veterans die by suicide per day according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Chronic pain affects approximately 50 million.1  For your information:

1.      Pain conditions increase onset of suicidal thought and suicidal attempt.

2.      Extended Opioid use linked to increase risk of depression

3.      Presence of pain may impair detection of mental disorders.  May distort treatment. Think about it....

Risk and Warning Signs before disaster strikes include…

·        Suicidal intent: wish to die

·        Previous suicidal attempt: family history

·        Psychiatric Diagnosis: mood or anxiety disorder substance use disorder withdrawal depression

·        Precipitants Stressors Interpersonal: triggering event leading to humiliation shame despair…2

I think youd agree this is more than a US Veteran issue. Suicide: a bigger issue. Suicide: a family issue. Suicide: a national issue! Make a difference for the one you love. Discover how to improve health and wellness. Reduce pain...naturally. Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Website also available in Spanish and German.

Reference:

1.     1. Prevalence of Chronic Pain and High-Impact Chronic Pain Among Adults-United States, 2016, Weekly / September 14, 2018 / 67(36); 1001-1006

2.      2. Suicide and Patients with Chronic Pain, Why Should We Be Concerned, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs