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Thanksgiving through the New Year can be a particularly vulnerable time for those fifty and furthermore. The media, society and those around you tell you to be happy. Instead, you may be ill or infirm or missing your children and/or grandchildren. If you are part of a blended family in the midst of intergenerational conflict, a widow or widower, divorced or alone or if you have economic woes that seem overwhelming, life this holiday season may feel less joyous than the songs tell you to be. Perhaps you have wonderful or dreadful childhood memories that have resurfaced or your current life situation is different from what you hoped it would be. Maybe your holiday expectations are unrealistic and as a result you feel blue. Maybe Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) has hit you bad and some light is required. If you are fifty and furthermore you have lived long enough to have gained a Sage’s perspective. By now you know that whatever the reason for your current blues, next year can be better. Get through this difficult time using all the help available. The New Year and new opportunity will be with us soon. It may help to know that you are not alone. More than 17 million Americans suffer from clinical depression every year. That's more than the total of those persons stricken with cancer or heart disease. More than 15 percent of these individuals attempt suicide with an increase during the holiday season. Sadly, many people don't know that depression can be treated, or are afraid to seek help because they fear that there is a stigma attached. There is no stigma attached to getting emotional help. After all, if you sprain your ankle you wouldn't think twice about going to a professional. Metaphorically, if you "sprain your brain," you need to treat that as well. While the holidays are an exciting time for most people, remember, especially if you are infirm, part of a blended family, in the midst of intergenerational conflict, a widow or widower, divorced or alone, you may be one of many who suffer depression more severely during this time of year. While everyone experiences bad moods, if you have seven out of ten pretty good days, you are in OK shape. However, you may be suffering from clinical depression if you experience five of the following symptoms for two weeks or more, or if they occur almost every day for most of the day for any extended time. How To Recognize A Bad Case of Holiday Blues: 1. Depressed mood most of the day almost every day. 2. Feeling restless, anxious and agitated, unable to sit still. 3. Feelings of worthlessness and low self esteem. 4. Fatigue and low energy, unable to get out of bed. 5. Recurring thoughts of death or suicide. 6. Difficulty concentrating for an extended period of time. 7. Sudden weight gain or loss in greater than usual proportions. (Not just the usual holiday few extra pounds.) 8. Sleep disturbances such as: difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or sleeping too much. 9. Continued feelings of helplessness or hopelessness. 10. "Out of character" irritability, impatience or anger. 11. Loss of interest in sex. 12. Loss of interest in your usual daily fun activities. What To Do: 1. Ask for help. 2. Get help. 3. Give help. 4. Use the help available. 5. Don't stay alone. Make sure you seek out others. 6. Don't try to hide your condition from loved ones. Those who care can help you get the help you need. 7. Use all available resources. Where To Go: 1. Pick up the phone, e-mail or visit family or friends. 2. Ask a family member or friend to help you find a referral to a therapist or ask your physician for a referral to a mental health professional. 3. If your physician prescribes temporary medication, take it. 4. If you use an integrative health practitioner such as an acupuncturist, call them. 5. Contact your local directory, crisis center, or hotline. Call the national crisis hotline: 1-888-363-2287. Contact Depression U.S.A., Rockville, MD, 20857 6. Contact your local support group or your religious affiliation. 7. Exercise, eat healthily and participate in an activity you love. 8. Send your questions to me (Dr. Dorree Lynn) at my website www.FiftyandFurthermore.com.
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