Depression: More than just the Holiday Blues

The holiday season brings joy for many people, but for others it can be a time that brings sadness, isolation, and negative thinking. One may think that it is just past memories or social isolation that brings on this sadness. A person may also find themselves with little energy and a feeling of irritability that they blame on the financial pressures or busyness of the holiday season. Depression is however more than just the holiday blues and usually brings an increase in symptoms and is more prevalent in individuals during this time of year.

Depression is defined by Mayo Clinic as “a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called Major Depressive Disorder or Clinical Depression, it affects how you feel, think, and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional or physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you feel like life is not worth living.”

Depression is like a snowball that gets larger and larger the more that you spend time in the negative thought process or avoiding social situations. Some examples of depression symptoms include isolating behavior, sleeping issues, fatigue, unexplained physical pain/illness, guilt, recklessness, issues concentrating, simple tasks causing sadness or crying, feeling of self-doubt, irritability or anger, little energy, always staying busy, feeling of hopelessness, issues with eating too much or too little, slowed thinking, persistent negative thoughts, difficulty making decisions, and thoughts of death or suicide.

There are medical conditions that have similar symptoms as depression. If you are having some of the above-mentioned symptoms, plan a trip to see your Primary Care Doctor, that is a good place to start to find out the reason for your symptoms. Medical conditions that mimic depression symptoms are Anemia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, Hypercalcemia, Hypothyroidism, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, and Vitamin D Deficiency. Lab work and a physical can help to rule out any medical conditions. If no medical condition is diagnosed, reduce depression symptoms by paying attention to thoughts, get moving, finding gratitude, reducing isolation, and setting small and attainable goals daily to help focus.

Medications prescribed by a psychiatrist to assist in the recovery are: Prozac, Lexapro, Paxil, Celexa, Zoloft, Luvox, Effexor, Cymbalta, and Wellbutrin. CBT therapy will also assist to recognize and reframe thoughts to aid in reducing depression symptoms.

Let us help you find your smile again!

Northwest Behavioral Health Services

2392 N. Edgewood Avenue

Jacksonville, Florida 32254

904-781-7797