JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Christmas is near and not everyone may be in the holiday spirit. A mental health counselor said that’s normal and could be a sign of holiday depression.
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Nearly three in five Americans feel their mental health is negatively impacted by the holidays, according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness.
Melissa Brown, a licensed mental health counselor talked about what causes holiday depression.
“It’s caused when we are given this message that it is the holiday season so we should very happy and for those of us who are not happy for various reasons, it can increase feelings of sadness that may already be there,” Brown said.
The National Institute of Mental Health said feelings of hopelessness, irritability, changes in sleep or appetite, physical aches, and suicidal thoughts could all be warning signs if persistent.
Brown recommended addressing these issues head-on.
“Don’t tell yourself, ‘Oh I’m just going to get through this day or I’m just going to get through this season,‘” Brown said. “Take advantage of any opportunity to be around people.”
Brown also suggested cutting back on alcohol and sugar.
“They give us these temporary spikes of dopamine which gives us this false sense that were feeling better and that we’re happy,” Brown said. “Those feelings aren’t going anywhere.”
Talking about your feelings with a therapist is also recommended as all of these steps can make your holiday feel brighter.