For some, the holiday season and Christmas are not a time of joy and cheer but of depression, loneliness, anxiety and self-evaluation. The added stresses, unrealistic expectations and fatigue of the season can all contribute to holiday depression.

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Financial constraints, not being able to spend time with family or conversely, spending too much time with family can also contribute to Christmas depression and holiday depression. People with few friends or family members may feel even more alone and isolated. People with a large circle of family and friends may feel stressed by having to cook and entertain for large family get-togethers.

• Consider some circumstances that can contribute to a feeling of depression;
• The activities of the holidays can place a significant burden on already full schedules.
• The costs involved with the holidays can place a significant burden on already tight budgets.
• Separation or divorce can leave people celebrating Christmas and the holiday season alone.
• People who have lost a loved one are especially mindful of that loss.

Compounding the problem of depression around Christmas and the holiday season is the fewer number of daylight hours that occur from Thanksgiving and past Christmas. So, in addition to holiday depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can also play a role in depression during the holiday season.

People can also experience a post-holiday let down after Christmas, when the brightness and togetherness of the season make way to cabin fever confinement and a return to the "same old, same old."

Although there are many easily identifiable causes for holiday depression, there are also some people who cannot pinpoint the exact cause of their Christmas depression. They know they are "supposed to" feel happy during the holiday season but instead of feeling happy, the flat, lackluster cloud of depression hangs over them.

Regardless of the cause of depression during Christmas and the holiday season, sufferers of depression during the holiday season might experience excess fatigue, a change in sleeping patterns, irritability and feelings of sadness. People who do not display the outward symptoms of depression during Christmas and the holiday season might develop other stress responses like over eating or excessive drinking.

Although the stressors that can cause holiday depression cannot be completely eliminated, there are a number of suggestions that can help keep Christmas and holiday depression at a minimum.

• Set reasonable financial goals based on what the budget can afford.
• Set reasonable time goals while employing time management techniques like Christmas shopping during the off-peak season and shopping online or by mail order. Unique, thoughtful and handmade gifts often bring much more pleasure than a gift bought out of obligation.
• Schedule obligations and parties wisely. If trying to cram another obligation into the already over filed schedule causes stress, cancel and spend the evening taking a bubble bath or curled up with a good book.
• Recognize the sadness of absent loved ones instead of denying the sadness.
• Be especially mindful of diet during the holiday season. High sugar and carbohydrate laden foods typical of the holidays will only make depression matters worse. Allow indulgences during the holidays, but with limitations.
• Put old issues aside when dealing with family. If that is not possible, consider limiting the time spent.
• Remember that Christmas depression is not permanent. Moods typically improve once the holidays are over and once the worst of winter is over.

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