Be sure to watch Dr. Kanner discuss this topic this Monday, December 1st @ 8:20am on San Diego 6 - CW News In The Morning.
Background:
"Holiday blues, although serious, should not be confused with
another condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is a
clinically diagnosed mood disorder that usually occurs during the
winter months".
A holiday blue condition is usually a short-lived condition that many
experience during the Thanksgiving and Christmas months and is a
reaction to strong feelings of sadness and anger that many experience
due to feelings of loneliness and despair which is frequently caused by
a situation that occurred prior to the holiday months, or represents
some sort of an anniversary of loss which becomes more apparent due to
the festivities of the holiday season.
In most cases, the symptoms of holiday blues, which can include
irritability, sadness, lethargy, and a general feeling of sickness,
usually lasts between a fews days to a month in time and the individual
then returns to their normal level of functioning as the new year gets
under way. There are certain activities that a person suffering from
the holiday blues can due to lessen their symptoms including: regular
exercise; a good diet; trying to get plenty of rest; talking to a
friend about their feelings; keeping themselves busy and on schedule;
and trying to find some activities to lift one's spirits. When the
individual also understands that their reaction is "normal", this also
helps them not worry that something is very wrong with them.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is an entirely different condition
that is diagnosed as a mood disorder in individuals on an ongoing basis
during the winter months, usually in areas where sunlight is limited.
This disorder has been investigated and is very much linked to
biological, rather than psychological factors, where in particular,
certain individuals produce less neurotransmitters in their brains when
they are not exposed to a certain degree of sunlight during the winter
months. Most individuals with this diagnosis will take antidepressants
during these months to help manage their condition and many also
consider relocating to an environment which has less severe winter
weather conditions to alleviate their condition.
The primary difference in these two conditions is frequency and
etiology. Holiday blues is reactionary to a specific condition and is
not consistent, whereby the Seasonal Affective Disorder is a condition
that affects people consistently on an annual basis.
Managing The Holiday Blues: Key Points
1. realize that the condition is normal and short-lived
2. try to figure out the cause and talk about it.
3. keep yourself on track.
4. exercise and eat well.
5. find activities to elevate spirits.
6. refrain from alcohol for this will worsen the condition.
Dr. Keith Kanner
Host
Your Family Matters Show
San Diego 6 News - San Diego
San Diego Living Show
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About drkanner
Dr. Kanner is a Licensed Clinical Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychologist and Psychoanalyst with a full time private practice in Rancho Santa Fe, California. He is also an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine at U.C. San Diego and a Clinical Instructor and Supervisor at the San Diego Psychoanalytic Society and Institute. Recently, he has become the Director of Clinical Counseling for La Jolla Country Day School and has been named to the National Board of Directors for KidsKorps, USA. He continues as a Consultant for many public and private schools in San Diego and has also received distinguished teaching awards over the past seven years. He is a published author and a sought after speaker on topics pertaining to childhood, adolescence, and parenthood. He is also presently writing a book for Fox based on his show, Your Family Matters.
