How to deal with Christmas depression

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 12/21/2010 

MANILA, Philippines - While Christmas provides a joyful and festive mood to most people, it brings a feeling of sadness and isolation to others.

People usually hit by the holiday blues are those who are celebrating Christmas without their families and loved ones such as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), those who just survived a bad breakup, or those who live alone.

Without a support system, these people tend to wallow in sadness and self-pity in an otherwise happy occasion, according to Dr. Margie Holmes, a clinical psychologist.

Women who suffer from the holiday blues tend to cry and sulk, while men get mad easily or turn to alcohol.

"There's the feeling of comparison. Iniisip nila lahat ng tao masaya, kahit advertisements sa TV 'yun ang pinapakita. So iisipin nila, ako lang ba ang malungkot? What is wrong with me?" Holmes said in an interview at ABS-CBN's Salamat Dok.

If not dealt with properly, this negative feeling may lead to stress and eventually, depression, Holmes said.

She said that the key to getting rid of the holiday blues is having a positive outlook on life and surrounding one's self with friends.

Having an account on a social networking site such as Facebook helps, too, she added, as these are a big help in building relationships with different people.

Holmes stressed, however, that one must not be limited to online activities as these may contribute to depression.

"If your friends are only in the computer, this is not good. You stay in the house, people who use the computer a lot tend to be more depressed. Naaadik sa computer, di lumalabas ng bahay," she said.

She continued, "Person to person helps, but it's better to have Facebook than nothing at all."

Other people, meanwhile, try to cope with depression by spending long hours in the office. Holmes said, however, that this may only lead to further stress.

"Sometimes it helps na i-recognize ang problema, accept mo, then move on. Look for friends. I know di makaka-replace 'yun sa magulang, pero makakatulong 'yun," she said.

Aside from working and surrounding one's self with friends, other ways to deal with Christmas depression include engaging in different activities (from exercising to cleaning the house), attending Christmas parties, listening to music and going to the spa for a massage.