Depression and irritability are a common phenomenon before the New Year holidays: according to data The United States National Alliance on Mental Illness says that during the holidays and holidays in general, more than half of the population suffers from “holiday blues.” One of the reasons for this situation may be that the new year is approached as a period of questioning that may not be very heartwarming.
“Historically and culturally, New Year is a special holiday, a definite turning point. It’s like starting a new cycle. People traditionally take some vows to themselves. And of course, a sense of longing may arise precisely because of some unfulfilled plan.
Longing, as a psychiatric concept, has certain criteria – it is a feeling of malaise mixed with anxiety, a low mood, hopelessness, some boredom. Everything is perceived at the physical level as painful, localized, that is, a person can even indicate with his finger that the craving is in the area behind the sternum or in the area of u200bu200bthe heart. But much depends on the personal attitude of a person, for someone the New Year, on the contrary, is an event that allows you to reject everything old, everything unpleasant in the past year, and gives hope for the good in it. next. This is an important milestone, and people experience it differently, ”the lead researcher of the Department of Emotional States at the Mental Health Research Institute of the Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Doctor of Medical Sciences German Simutkin told Gazeta. ru.
However, the problem rarely becomes serious enough to turn to psychologists – seasonal affective disorders and situational experiences affect people much more often. However, Christmas depression can exacerbate existing problems.
“The fact of resorting to specialists has a seasonal dependence. Psychologists and psychiatrists are mostly consulted in the spring or autumn. There are no such fluctuations in other seasons. However, besides seasonality, external factors can also be effective. For example, now, against the background of the political situation, our society has a great demand for help in overcoming depressive disorders and symptoms – and this is understandable, as the sense of control over the situation and one’s life has diminished. The frequency of requests has also increased during the COVID-19 pandemic – there were many requests about relationships with a partner, fear of losing his job.
There are no indications specific to the New Year holidays. But seasonal “habitual” events will draw each person into their own problems. For example, if someone is having relationship problems, it might get worse on New Year’s Eve. If a person has an anxiety disorder, it may get worse. But Anastasia Nikolaeva, a psychologist and researcher at the Moscow State Psychological and Pedagogical University, told socialbites.ca that this will most likely happen in the fall or spring.
Mental illnesses don’t usually get worse at Christmas, either. However, in the autumn-spring period, the number of applications to a psychiatrist with complaints of mood disorders increases.
“If we talk about more frequent psychiatrist visits, it is usually autumn and spring, which is due to some biological mechanism. Most often, the autumn-winter period is associated with a decrease in light activity and a decrease in physical activity. And all this, as a rule, is superimposed on such problems as increased social activity – someone has reports there, someone has exams. And in winter the energy reserves are reduced, and the social requirements during this period are very high,” said Simutkin.
This kind of mismatch between human abilities and workload leads to more fatigue and a worse mood.
“There are seasonal fluctuations – fluctuations in the resources of mood, energy and willpower in a person. This is the norm. But about 10% of the population reacts very strongly to the change of seasons, the lack of daylight, the cold, and the occasional opportunity to be in the fresh air.
Despite the fact that you have always done an excellent job and are considered a good specialist, such vulnerable people may experience lethargy, low mood, irritability, a decreased sense of competence in their field. The person becomes more susceptible to the jokes, “scum” of others. And this can take clinical forms that require the intervention of a psychiatrist or psychotherapist,” explained Simutkin.
Also, the New Year holidays can be a test for workaholics – they take all their time at work, in a way lose their social skills, and as a result, they cannot calmly spend their free days with loved ones.
“They always communicated with the family as: ‘Best, I’m going to work. And when it all comes together under one roof and everyone should rejoice, one can be disappointed because this is not his rhythm of life, he has already lost the ability to communicate closely with relatives. Plus, those who, for example, are used to making money and have to go on vacation, will calculate lost profits in their heads every day, which does not feel very good, ”said Simutkin.
In addition, against the background of the conflict with Ukraine, some Russians may feel guilty for celebrating the holiday while there are conflicts nearby, while soldiers and civilians are suffering and dying. But even with such experiences, you should not completely abandon the holiday – it is better to spend it calmly and in the vicinity of your loved ones.
In most cultures, when some serious problem arises and it is superimposed on a planned festive event, it is usually done in a more restrained way or postponed to another date, Simutkin explained – there is a kind of taboo regarding the manifestation of joy and fun. in sad days.
“Today there are many unknowns, it is not clear how events will develop, how they will affect the life of the state, loved ones – and this uncertainty brings a sense of anxiety.
But life goes on and holidays have a right to exist. Nor is it worth slipping into the pole of absolute sadness. Even during the Second World War there were holidays. Understanding the seriousness of what happened, people treated each other, wished health, overcame obstacles, etc. Holidays act as a kind of psychotherapeutic institution that supports people and inspires optimism.
Another question is that there should be a sense of proportion and relevance. Remember the cases when one of the high-ranking people died or there were terrorist attacks – during this period there were no big concerts, no fireworks. However, it is quite acceptable in this respect to spend a holiday with your loved ones without organizing a large-scale “plague time feast”, he emphasized.
“First of all, we must remember that such experiences are a sign of a living loving person, because it is such people who first react to other people’s suffering by losing their own peace of mind,” Nikolaeva said. – So the first point is to admit to yourself that if you experience this, you are emotionally sensitive and that has many advantages. It’s just in the current situation that such a trait hurts you. Next, you need to understand for yourself what is to “celebrate the New Year” and what is to “rejoice”? It seems that a person can be worried or rejoicing. But the human psyche is more complex. We can simultaneously feel the joy of current events and empathize with others.
Nikolaeva says that in such a situation it is important to determine which emotions prevail. If guilt and sadness are strong, it is better to refuse a noisy feast, but quiet meetings with like-minded people can give strength. If the experiences do not outweigh the joy of the upcoming holiday, or there are children in the family, you can safely celebrate, admitting to yourself that this time other states will still mingle with joy.
“There’s no need to pretend nothing’s going on. Maybe you can “turn off the guilt” for the holidays, or maybe you don’t – and that’s okay. There’s no easy way to deal with this. We’re all learning to live in a new world. Of course, if guilt paralyzes, you need to see a specialist. ” said.
In order to deal with winter blues in general, you must first find out what worries you the most in what you are going through.
“If a person complains of tiredness, lack of time, and loss of self, rest can help. In this case, the type of rest depends on the strength of fatigue. If a person is completely tired, it is better not to plan anything and just give yourself the opportunity to eat and sleep. If you have more strength but can’t do something, you need to arrange for yourself a structured rest – when there is some action plan, but all the action is pleasant: hiking, outdoor activity.
If a person is overcome by negative thoughts, but there are no signs of fatigue, it is better not to let the brain “idle”, it is worth keeping yourself busy with something. Communication with friends will help here, animal therapy (communication therapy with animals) will give good results. Helping someone is a good idea. Help has a specific purpose, the person feels like an active subject, the system of his actions has a beginning, a clear purpose and an end.
If a person has no strength and negative thoughts, then first you need to restore resources, that is, do not invent costly activities for yourself, but still have some simple activities that will not allow you to slip into negative experiences, ”explained Nikolaeva.
“There has to be a reasonable balance between work and leisure,” confirms Simutkin. – And, of course, hobbies that a person once had should be supported. The usual normal level of physical activity, close to the usual normal level of communication with people who are dear to you. And if a person develops anhedonia, the inability to enjoy what brought it on is a very serious sign. This could be one of the key symptoms of a developing depressive disorder.”
If the holidays are over, you cannot get rid of feelings and depression, you should consult a psychologist or psychiatrist.