The holiday season is often a time when family and friends gather to celebrate. It can be filled with hustle and bustle and joyous traditions. What if this does not apply to you? What if you’re alone this year? This can happen for a variety of reasons, though when it does happen it can be particularly painful. The holiday season can be a very difficult one, especially if someone dear to you is not with you. A season often thought of as bringing happiness can in fact bring depression for many.

Christmas can bring up good thoughts and happy memories. For a lot of people, however, this is not the case. Losing someone dear to you and seeing the “empty chair” at the table once occupied by them, can result in grief and sadness, possibly even depression. While you may feel alone in your feelings, you are not.

It’s OK to Spend Holidays Alone

There are many reasons for being alone during the holidays. It could be that it is your choice to spend time alone this season. Maybe your energy is sapped, you’re a little down or maybe you just aren’t in the mood to celebrate. There is nothing wrong with that decision. How you spend the holidays is your decision. Being alone doesn’t mean you’re unhappy. However, it is important to know the difference between solitude and loneliness as they can be difficult to differentiate.

How will you know the difference between solitude and loneliness? Solitude is a choice and often results in positive emotions. Loneliness, however, is not something you want to feel as it can lead to further unhappiness, emptiness, and can snowball into clinical depression. The more you understand why you are feeling the way you do, the sooner you can intervene and begin to work toward feeling better.

Are You Experiencing Holiday Sadness or Is It Depression?

It is not uncommon to be sad, overwhelmed or even somewhat like a “Scrooge” during the Christmas season. This is not necessarily an indicator of depression. It will often pass as you continue with your daily routine. However, sadness is a typical characteristic of depression. Sadness usually decreases when the situation changes, or you work through what triggered this feeling.

Depression, however, is a serious emotional health condition that needs to be properly diagnosed and treated by a professional. It can affect your outlook, emotional health, and behavior in a lot of ways. Depression can result in feeling sad all the time, without a specific trigger. Identifying the difference between being “down and out” and depression can be crucial and is important for your long-term emotional and physical health to be maintained, especially during the holidays.

What Are the Signs of Depression?

Knowing the symptoms of depression can be incredibly helpful. Being aware of these main indicators can be the beginning of living the life you deserve, not only around Christmas but into your future.

Symptoms of depression:

• Irritability
• Sadness
• Increased physical aches and pains
• Feelings of worthlessness or sadness
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Trouble sleeping
• Feelings of helplessness
• Anxiety
• Loss of interest in daily activities
• Lack of attention to personal care and hygiene
• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Difficulty concentrating

If you are experiencing these symptoms, in combination or just a few for more than a month, there is help available through counseling.

Finding Enjoyment Again

You may have plans to spend time with friends or other family members on or around the holidays. This doesn’t mean you do not still have feelings that need to be addressed in order to feel whole again.

The holidays are upon us, if your loss of spirit and feelings of loneliness have interrupted this otherwise joyous time of year, a licensed, independently contracted counselor with Carolina Counseling Services – Sanford, NC can assist you in finding ways to enjoy this season.

If you are experiencing various symptoms of depression, why wait until the holidays have passed to start feeling like your old self? The therapists independently contracted with CCS – Sanford, NC understand the importance of emotional health. A caring counselor can help you resolve your depression during this holiday season, and for years to come. Call now to schedule an appointment.

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