Holiday Sadness

We've just celebrated Thanksgiving, and I have so much to be thankful for--good health, fulfilling work, wonderful friends and a lovely family.

I love the holidays because they are a particularly special time for family members to gather, express their love, and pass on cherished traditions to new generations. Most of us spend a lifetime anticipating and treasuring these moments and the people with whom we share them.

The holiday season can be a very hard time, though, for those who have experienced loss--a family member, their job or their home. As we grow older, losing that which we love is not only more common but also happens in multiple ways. Loss causes people to struggle with sadness and even depression and none of us are immune.

Normally, these feelings of sadness during the holidays are temporary and don’t impact ability to function. If, however, you feel so sad that you’re losing interest in or withdrawing from regular activities, experiencing a lack of energy, inability to concentrate, or a change in your eating or sleeping patterns, consult your physician about the possibility of depression.

Clinical depression, which can also be caused by bio-chemical changes in the brain, interferes with performing the simplest tasks, erodes self-esteem, and can cause the affected person to question the value of life.

The good news is that treatment that includes behavioral changes and medication is highly effective, dramatically so among seniors. Treatment should be carefully monitored and results vary, but there is marked improvement in 4-12 weeks.

Talk therapy is also beneficial. Surround yourself with supportive people who understand and sympathize, and seek out a good therapist. Contact the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) at 301-654-7850 or visit main@aagponline.org to request board-certified experts in your area.

If you find yourself alone during the holidays, be kind to yourself, even indulgent. Buy that new outfit or bauble you’ve been wanting forever; have a spa day (manicure, pedicure or massage—perhaps all three), and invite a friend to go out with you to a new restaurant. You’ll feel special and will be adding new memories to your holiday recollections, perhaps even creating some new holiday traditions.

If you know someone who is alone, invite them into your holiday. Christmas is a time for giving, and giving of yourself is the best gift of all.