Through my career, I have often been asked to speak on the topic of holiday depression. The problem is that research indicates that it may not exist--at least for our country as a whole.
There is no evidence that there is more depression around Christmas than at other times of the year. In fact, the suicide rate is highest in the spring, not at Christmas. There is no apparent in suicide around Christmastime.
Most clinicians do find a rise in depression in late fall, for persons who are normally prone to depression. While this could be due to the approaching holidays, there is more evidence to support the idea that it is due to Seasonal Affective Disorder and the lessening sunlight of fall.
There is no doubt that Christmas is depressing for some people. We are bombarded by happy images on the TV, and if our family isn't/wasn't like that, then we may indeed feel down. However, for other people, Christmas is a time that lifts their spirits, and so there is an offsetting effect for people in general.
I don't want to make light of the problems that some people have with Christmas and Thanksgiving. For some, it may be really difficult. But the idea that there is more depression at Christmas is essentially an urban myth. There can be depression at any time of the year, and like any depression, if it goes on long enough, it might be wise to seek treatment.
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