2007-12-21 10:30:15 · 18 answers · asked by colebolegooglygooglyhammerhead 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Ever heard of SAD? I think it's an acronym for Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Lots of people have it. When the days get shorter and the nights get longer, they have a biological reaction that makes them feel ... well... sad.
Some people believe that this is why we in the northern hemisphere have developed the custome of putting up lights during winter. It helps ease the anxiety the dark causes many people.
Of course the reasons that the other answerers gave are true too: too much commercialism, bad memories, too much pressure to feel things you don't really feel, frustrated expectations, etc.
2007-12-21 10:33:00 · answer #1 · answered by Acorn 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Between the stress of trying to do too much in too little time and the emotional baggage that a lot of people carry about the holidays, depression is pretty common. Elderly people who've lost a spouse and anyone who's undergone a major life change (move, change of job, loss of loved one, etc.) are particularly vulnerable at this time of year.
For some people, Christmas is a magical time. But for others, it can bring back a lot of painful memories and send them into a major depression.
2007-12-21 11:12:50 · answer #2 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some of it is due to eating too much sugar and yeast-producing foods, which has a tendency to mess with the brain functions we take for granted in summertime. It helps to be careful what you eat.
Also, there is the persistence of memory, which is unique to humans. I look at the holiday season as either being a time of social growth or emotional growth, or the precursor to some changes coming up in the new year. Often, people who are far away from God start to re-think their priorities. Depression can just mean that someone is in a re-working mode, that they have some decisions to make and need to start making them.
Just my opinion :) Have a sugar-free gummi bear.
2007-12-21 10:52:11 · answer #3 · answered by Cookie777 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People suffer from depression all year long; and Christmas isn't magical.
2007-12-21 10:53:04 · answer #4 · answered by chapel247 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some people have lost their loved ones this year. They miss them. The year of firsts are tough...first holidays, Thanksgiving...Christmas...New Years, birthdays...depends on what they celebrate.
Some have bad memories from their childhood...or perhaps the good memories from their childhood that can't be repeated.
There are many reason for depression, it's not only emotional; it can also be chemical.
Hope that helps!
2007-12-21 10:37:16 · answer #5 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is often those who have no family or spouse. I can see how it could be somewhat depressing to see happy families and children at Christmas when you have no family to celebrate it with. Even if you are invited to share it with someone, I can imagine it still wouldn't be the same.
2007-12-21 10:34:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because our culture has created all sorts of warm, fuzzy expectations that are totally incongruent with the lives most people lead. It's the season of ultimate guilt and hypocrisy (or hypocrazy if you prefer.)
2007-12-21 10:36:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
some people have bad expierences around christmas time.
infact one of my friends parents died in a wreck on christmas day.soo yeah just diffrent things.
2007-12-21 10:33:29 · answer #8 · answered by dixiepixie2023 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
possibly due to depression if they are sinlge, stress at trying to find appropriate gifts, and the knowledge that come january they will be thousands in debt
2007-12-21 10:35:26 · answer #9 · answered by atheist crusader 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unreasonable expectations
2007-12-21 10:32:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋