Title: Holiday Depression: Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Coping
Headings: What Are the Holiday Blues?
What Are the Holiday Blues?
What Are the Holiday Blues?
Signs & Symptoms
Holiday Depression vs. SAD
Diagnosis
Causes
Treatment
Coping
Drink Only in Moderation
Don’t Isolate Yourself
Exercise Regularly
Learn to Say 'No'
Find Time for Yourself
Set Realistic Expectations
How to Get Help
A Word From Verywell

Content: The holidays are often a time of high emotion and demands, which can leave a lot of people feeling stressed and exhausted. People with a prior mental health condition may be even more prone to experiencing holiday depression. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 64% of people with an existing mental illness report that the holidays make their condition worse. 1 ﻿﻿﻿
Signs & Symptoms
The most common symptom of holiday depression is a persistent or recurring feeling of sadness that begins during the holiday season. This feeling may vary in intensity and duration. Some people might feel down periodically, but experience brief periods of feeling more upbeat. Some signs of holiday depression might include: 2
Changes in appetite or weight
Changes in sleep patterns
Depressed or irritable mood
Difficulty concentrating
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Feeling more tired than usual
Feeling tense, worried, or anxious
Loss of pleasure in doing things you used to enjoy
Holiday Depression vs. SAD
Feeling sad during the winter and holiday months may also be a sign of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a form of major depressive disorder (MDD) that occurs in seasonal patterns during certain months of the year. Holiday depression and SAD can be difficult to distinguish from one another, but the duration and severity of your symptoms are usually your best clues: