The Holidays are here! There are so many activities to welcome the holiday season with joy and happiness – food, parties, carols, gifts, family traditions, and more. For some seniors, however, it can be a difficult time. Depression can set in at this most wonderful time of the year. Besides clinical depression sometimes increasing over the holidays, many changes can become more evident during the holidays. Perhaps the children have grown up and moved away. Maybe a spouse or some beloved friends have passed away. Chronic illnesses and the way they impact functioning can also be more apparent during the holidays.

These changes can indeed impact how an older adult feels about the Christmas season. Feelings of loneliness, loss of loved ones, and health issues can cause the holidays to be a difficult time for approximately 6 million people over 65 who are also experiencing depression. Even after the holidays are over, you can be left with feelings of depression.

Is It the Holiday Blues or Depression?

It is not unusual for the holiday season to create brief episodes of sadness for seniors, though not all of these episodes are depression. “Holiday blues” do not linger, and they often go away when the season ends. Feeling sad is a common human emotion, but depression is not a natural part of aging. Unlike occasional and temporary bouts of sadness, depression is an intensely low feeling that can affect how an individual functions and relates to others.

Unfortunately, sadness is a common companion of aging. An older adult may have experienced a bit of sadness many times in their life. The feeling is often triggered by a difficult, hurtful, challenging, or disappointing experience. Sadness, however, diminishes when the situation changes, emotional hurt fades, wounds heal, or the loss or disappointment has been overcome.

On the other hand, depression is a serious emotional health condition in seniors that can affect their way of thinking, emotions, perceptions and behavior in chronic and comprehensive ways. Depression can result in a senior feeling sad about everything, without an obvious trigger, loss, or a change.

Depression is often associated with its primary symptom of pervasive unhappiness. Sadness can create confusion and may not always be identified as something concerning. Identifying the distinction between feeling “down” and feeling depressed can be crucial and has huge implications for long-term emotional and physical health, especially during the cold Christmas season.

The “Scroogy” Culprit behind the “Holiday Blues”

While the holiday season can be a festive time of good cheer, relaxation and celebration, it can also be a hectic season that brings about added stress. The aging population stands at a higher risk of depression during the holidays as they may feel the passing of time, miss the presence of departed loved ones, or reminisce about past traditions. There may also be a few more reasons why the Christmas season seems to have lost its magic and meaning even to a healthy, aging adult. Some of these are:

• Memories – The holidays are such an emotional time to connect and create memories with family and friends. Remembering loved ones, whether they have passed on or moved away, can cause seniors to feel sad during a supposedly happy occasion.
• Financial Stress – With limited financial sources, they may be prone to holiday depression due to a fixed income.
• Limited Mobility – The holidays are often a time for shopping, wrapping gifts, decorating the house, baking and visiting. Seniors with medical conditions that prohibit full mobility may feel down due to their inability to move around like they once did and fully participate in activities.
• Living Solo – 28 percent of Americans over the age of 65 live alone. Many are experiencing a lack of regular human contact, which experts say can put them at a higher risk for health conditions like heart disease and dementia.
• Living Away from Home – One of the greatest things about the holidays can be celebrating it with the family at home. Sadly, seniors who live in a residence or assisted living facility may not experience this, but simply look back on the memories created over the years as they yearn for the comforts and company of loved ones at home.

For many seniors, the Christmas season can be a tough time that serves as a reminder of their loneliness and isolation. In fact, the difficult feeling affects older adults not only during the end-of-the-year holidays, but on other events as well. As a result, some are apprehensive about the coming of these occasions for fear of confronting depressive emotions.

Recognizing Depression in the Senior Years

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of depression in seniors is important. Sometimes they may not even realize they are depressed. Knowing the red flags can be the starting point in taking the steps toward help. Symptoms can include:

• Irritable mood
• Increased physical aches and pains
• Feelings of worthlessness or sadness
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Sleeping troubles
• Expressions of helplessness
• Anxiety
• Loss of interest in daily activities
• Lack of attention to personal care and hygiene
• Severe fatigue or lack of energy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Reckless behavior, including self-harming activities
• Obsessive thoughts about death

The cold months of the holiday season can heighten feelings of sadness, as memories of earlier, happier times can overwhelm seniors during this time. Untreated depression can take an opportunistic hold and lead a person to self-destructive acts. The good news is that depression is highly treatable, therapy can help.

A Healthy and Cheerful Holiday Season

Many seniors with depression were raised in a time when depression was misunderstood and seeking treatment was highly stigmatized. Depression then was not considered a real illness. Whether it was out of shame, pride or fear, many adults struggle with untreated depression.

Fortunately, an increase in depression awareness has led to the significant decrease in the stigma surrounding behavioral health. A greater number of seniors are starting to understand that depression is not a sign of weakness or a character flaw. Depression is not exclusive to seniors because it can affect anyone, at any age, at any time. While life-changing transitions happen in succession as you age, which may sometimes trigger depression, they do not have to keep you down, especially during the holidays.

If you notice the signs of depression in yourself or someone significant to you, do not let them suffer in silence. Counseling can help treat depression and allow you to find remission from your symptoms. The therapists independently contracted with Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina, NC recognize the importance of looking after your emotional health, so you can enjoy the holidays again. Call today to schedule your first appointment.