For most people, the holidays are a joyful time of the year filled with social gatherings, events, and celebrations with friends and family. For others, it’s a time filled with loneliness, sadness, and anxiety. When a feeling like hopelessness is at its peak, it’s challenging to be around others, especially at festive parties.
If you struggle with depression over the holidays, one of the best things you can do to alleviate any symptoms of depression is to engage in acts of self-care. Risk factors for depression during the holidays include lacking support systems, depression throughout the year, seasonal disorders, and mood disorders. Fortunately, depression over the holidays can be managed by implementing tips and seeking out professional support if you need it. If you and your loved one could benefit from teen depression treatment, call Venture Academy at 866.762.2211 or fill out our online form to learn more about our programs and how they can help you.
Depression Over the Holidays
Although people experience sadness differently, common sources of holiday depression include:
- Financial burdens
- Broken family relationships
- Unreasonable expectations
- Over-advertised
- Stress
- Anxiety
When there’s less sunlight, people can change their behaviours. For some, it can severely disrupt their lives and cause immense stress. These people may be suffering from seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder. Colder temperatures and limited amounts of sunlight are factors believed to cause seasonal depression. Unaddressed depression symptoms can quickly fuel unhealthy behaviours such as substance abuse; therefore, it’s best to seek professional support over the holidays if you struggle with depression.
Seasonal Depression
Seasonal depression affects the way you think and feel. Fortunately, treatment is available for this form of depression. Signs of seasonal depression include:
- Weight gain
- Anxiety
- Extreme fatigue
- Sadness
- Thoughts of suicide
- Inability to concentrate
- Loss of interest in usual routines and activities
- Isolation
If you suspect symptoms of seasonal depression may be affecting you or your loved one’s life, it’s best to seek professional support for a thorough evaluation. Seasonal depression could indicate an underlying mood disorder and has the potential to persist and grow more severe if left untreated. Counselling is an effective way to relieve stress caused by holiday demands or seasonal depression. Sharing your thoughts and feelings in a vulnerable time can help you manage them.
Coping with Seasonal Depression
Although seasonal depression may feel overwhelming at times. However, there are ways to cope with seasonal depression. Tips for coping with seasonal depression include:
- Be realistic about expectations
- Reach out for support
- Acknowledge your feelings
- Set aside differences with friends and family
- Don’t abandon healthy routines or habits
- Make time for yourself
Addressing Seasonal Depression at Venture Academy
Teen depression treatment can combat stress and depression over the holidays before pressures lead to a meltdown. Venture Academy provides help for troubled teens across Canada and can help your teen with a clinically comprehensive treatment curriculum of counselling. Emotional growth support, life skills coaching, physical and academic activities are other ways our teen depression treatment program helps teens make positive change. Our goal is to support youth in finding their path of wellness, make positive change, and create better relationships with their parents. Seasonal depression is a form of depression that requires professional support to manage effectively. If seasonal depression has taken an emotional toll on your family in the past, it’s time to reach out to Venture Academy about intensive counselling.
Find Support for Depression Over the Holidays at Venture Academy
Our compassionate Venture Academy staff is eager to provide premier counselling and therapeutic services to your teen struggling with seasonal depression. Don’t hesitate to get help for your teen; a cheerful Christmas is possible for you and your family. Contact our team today by reaching out by phone at 866.762.2211 or visiting our website and completing our online form to learn more.