Winter Makes Me Sad

Dear Martha,

I’d like to know why holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas  and New Year’s Eve make me feel very sad and depressed.

Generally, the whole family gets together around this time and I see many people that I love and enjoy spending time with.  The problem is that I’m not able to enjoy the parties and I spend almost the entire season feeling bad.

– Winter Blues

Dear Winter Blues:

Many people complain about this time of year because they relate this time of year with the losses they’ve suffered, people who have passed away, and negative childhood memories.  Others are affected by winter itself, which is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.).

People who experience this type of depression are often advised to alter some of their daily habits during the season and do things that can help such as: changing standard light bulbs at home or work to brighter ones,  exercising more, getting together with friends, not isolate themselves, and recognizing that the feelings are triggered by the winter and that they will pass.

If the above mentioned tactics don’t work for you, it’s likely that you need the help of a professional. Don’t wait any longer.

— Martha