Wendel Abel - I AM WHAT I THINKWE ARE approaching the end of another year! The air is filled with excitement. Soon it will be Christmas then the New Year. In between the excitement and planning, there's the New Year's resolutions.
This is a difficult period for many people.
"This is a season of blues for me," remarked Isabel. "I lost my husband on Boxing Day, 10 years ago. Added to that, financially it has been difficult."
" Oh, it so painful. The house is empty, the children have all migrated. My wife is dead. No more Christmas dinner. No family gathering. I pray for the season to come and go quickly," commented one 75-year-old man.
"This time of the year makes me feel so lonely. We used to have good times at Christmas. Ever since my marriage broke up, it has been difficult," bemoaned one Kingston resident.
Martha sighed and held back the tears as she said, "I get very depressed at this time. I enjoy nothing."
SEASONAL DEPRESSION
Many people, like Martha, become depressed at this time of the year. Why depression at Christmas and the New Year? Some individuals develop a type of depression with a seasonal pattern which is more common in the winter months and, in addition, at the end of one year and the beginning of another, we tend to take stock of our lives, our personal achievements and financial status.
It is a period of festivities and merriment Xmas parties, dinners, gift giving and this can be traumatic if you are alone and without money. It is a period when we socialise more and spend more and a period when we make greater contact with family and friends cards, letters, phone cards, gifts. It is a period that brings back memories childhood, memories of friends, memories of spouse, memories of children.
RECOGNISING THE SIGNS
OF DEPRESSION
The following are some of the common features of depression:
Depressed mood
Irritability
Decreased interest in formerly
pleasurable activities
Reduced energy
Dissatisfaction with life
Change in appetite
Weight change
Sleep changes especially early morning awakenings and multiple awakenings at nights
Feeling worthless, helpless or hopeless, guilt, self-blame
Sadness and crying
Difficulty concentrating, irritability
Memory problems
Recurrent thought of death, recurrent suicidal ideation
Decreased interest and performance in sex
Bodily symptoms
HOW TO DEAL WITH DEPRESSION
1. If you are prone to depression, see your doctor more frequently.
2. Plan carefully. Do not put yourself under undue stress at this time of the year.
3. Don't go on shopping binges; some people use this to deal with depression. Plan carefully.
4. Remember, one doesn't have to have a lot of money to survive the holidays, there are a lot of things you can do without spending a lot. There are craft fairs, carol services, just walking the malls, church concerts and so on.
5. Reach out to friends, especially those who are alone, such as the elderly, the sick, retired persons. A phone call, a casual visit or taking them out can make a difference this Christmas.
6. Take a break from tension-filled environments where demands are being made on you and expectations are high. You don't have to travel abroad. A few days on the beach or in the mountains may make a world of difference. Visiting relatives in the country may give us an opportunity to reconnect.
Remember those in need at this time of the year. Help those in need.
Dr. Wendel Abel is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Senior Lecturer, University of the West Indies.
