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Depression Around Christmas

While clinical depression can occur at any time and requires professional medical help, the mix of excitement and stress during the Christmas holidays can bring about temporary depression.

  1. Seasonal Depression

    • For some people, because Christmas comes at wintertime, they associate the holiday with depression. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) causes some people to feel depressed during the winter months, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Food and Drink

    • Christmas revelers' tendency to consume too much sugar, alcohol and fatty foods can bring about metabolic upsets that may cause depression, according to Depression-guide.com.

    Family Issues

    • Tensions among family members gathered together for Christmas can make for a depressing holiday. Elderly people experience depression when they remember lost loved ones of Christmases past.

    Public Pressure

    • Public pressure to enjoy the Christmas season can make depressed people feel inadequate or wrong if they don't feel like celebrating. The emphasis on gift giving can also depress people who can't afford to buy presents.

    Coping Strategies

    • Participation in charity events, church services, exercise or other uplifting activities can help fight Christmastime depression. Light therapy can help those with seasonal affective disorder.

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