Why do so many people feel depressed at this time of year?

Question

CNN reports that suicides and thoughts of suicide increase drastically during the holiday season. Isn't this supposed to be a season of joy?

To Sacha: I'm not depressed, but am concerned about all the postings about suicide here on Y!A and on national news. I hope your info will help someone who needs it.

Answer 1

It has everything to do with Joy...and nothing to do with Joy.

I am Scandinavian by descent...and feel better when skies are gloomy, grey, dark, rain. Seasonal Disorder passed me by? Don't know...I roll with the punches.

I would say that if The Holiday season happened in the middle of summer, the same statistics would hold true.

People who get depressed during this season...this is NOTHING new to them...they have a tendency to depression during the rest of the year...it is only much more aggravated by all the happy people around them...they feel 'left out'...a need for connection with happiness, that they might not get.

And, to a huge part, society tends to shun being around depressed people...this is a 'snowball' effect which, for some turns into an avalanche of hopelessness.

These 'depressives' view, for the most part, this Holiday Season as a sort of 'culmination' to the former part of their year...hence the 'no way out' decision.

Not answered as fully as I would like...but, I hope this was an answer.

Elysabeth Faslund...poemhunter

Answer 2

I agree with Zoe - it sucks going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark. There are no leaves on the trees.

Plus the holidays are depressing for some people - maybe they have no family, lost a loved one or are overwhelmed about the way that the holidays have become so commercial and are financially strapped.

Maybe the person already had problems in the first place and all the above contribute?

Answer 3

All of the above, and ,... in thinking that something is wrong with us because we can no longer connect to " the magic" that we felt as children.

I can remember growing up, having some incredible Christmas seasons, without many gifts at all. Crazy isn't it?

I try to remember to smile, be polite, and just generally be nice!!!! We never know what others are going through. Your smile could make a difference.

The greatest gift we can give is love, and it is often better apperciated in time and genuine careing, then anything that can ever be wrapped and put in a box.
Children may forget a toy, but they will remember times spent with you baking, shopping, etc.
Lots of times, freinds and relatives enjoy a sincere visit, or invite.

God gave us the greatest gift, and none of us will ever compare to that !!!!

" Happy Birthday Jesus"


Ginger-

Answer 4

Not only is that you're in the middle of a long, cold, dark winter, it's also that many people can't afford to live up to the hype of christmas gift giving. Every year, the most expensive things are always the most popular and the majority of the population simply can't afford all of that. They then feel like they're not providing a good enough life for their children or whatever and go into depression.

Answer 5

They think its down to SADS a seasonal depression disorder, because of the long, cold days with hardly any sun. Getting up for work in the dark and returning in the dark. Also Christmas is a depressing time in regards to money etc, some people may of lost loved ones at this time of year and it brings back all memories if them.

Answer 6

I suspect this may be because Christmas time is considered a time for families and friends to gather round and make merry. Anyone who is not plugged in to this network for whatever reason, may feel left out or unwanted and may feel depressed about it. I know I would. Also perhaps there are more thoughts of departed loved ones at this time of year.

Answer 7

Well for the Soldier's deployed it is a tough time of the year. Your away from your family and in harms way. When you get back home you feel the guilt of leaving your buds behind. I had a hard time when I got off my last deployment, on the guilt side of the house that's why less than a year I went volunteered to deploy again.

Answer 8

Bah! Humbug! Only for some well off Christians. The reason is Seasonal Affective Disorder (in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere), combined with the stress of the festive season, and often having to deal with family one doesn't get along with well: all take their toll. My standard post on depression follows: See depression treatments, at ezy-build *(below) in section 2, and consult a doctor, to eliminate thyroid problems, etc. as possible contributing factors: also seek a referral to a therapist using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy. It is your decision, and yours alone, as to whether to take any antidepressants offered, but, before you do, read section 1, and check medications out at www.drugs.com so you will be on the lookout for side effects, like sexual dysfunction. My strong recommendation, however, is to follow the advice of my doctor, his associate, and also Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP, and Dr. Mercola, as well, at http://www.mercola.com and avoid antidepressants (pages 2V, and 2Z refer, & antidepressant websites: page 2). The reasons why we all share the same view on this are explained in full, as you will find, if you read the whole section. All of their advice, (except prayer, because many people are not religious) I have incorporated into the "core treatments", including others as options, such as herbal remedies, Inositol, or SAMe. If you are diagnosed with clinical (major) depression, antidepressants may be necessary for a while, which will give the treatments time to become effective. The antidepressants themselves need at least several days, or even many weeks to become effective. It's a good idea to taper off them slowly, with medical advice, after several months, say, to a couple of years, at most, because they are only effective in the long term for about 30% of people. Because of this, you would be well advised to begin the treatments immediately, and maintain them. I'd just thank your mental health care provider, and pocket the prescription, trying the treatments for a few months, to see if they are sufficient for you, before considering filling it (unless clinically depressed, and having great difficulty functioning, or suicidal, in which case I'd take them). If the amount of daylight you have been exposed to recently has reduced, perhaps due to the change of seasons, see Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) in section 2, at * http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and, instead of taking 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily; replace 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements (or a teaspoonful of cod liver oil), for the winter months only! Consider having your doctor test your vitamin D levels.

Answer 9

I think it's because another year is almost over and people look back and try to reflect on the year and accomplishments and they aren't happy with what they have achieved, or not achieved. I also think that alot of people began to miss loved ones who are no longer with them and some people feel alone at Christmas

Answer 10

If you are alone, you feel MORE alone when every one else is with their FAMILY. It magnifies what can normally be masked by gatherings with friends and going to work. Many work places close. Friends are too BUSY with FAMILY. Even sporting clubs BREAK for Christmas.

This can leave a gapping HOLE for those who are already on the outer.