Editor’s note: As the holidays approach, Audrey Demmitt (RN, VisionAware peer) discusses managing depression during holidays. She offers excellent tips and details about treatment in her post.
People who struggle with anxiety, depression, and stress can find the holiday season difficult. Let’s face the facts: Holiday parties, shopping, and chaos can make us feel down and tired. This is a difficult time for people with vision loss. People with low vision or blindness find it difficult to shop, navigate crowds, manage relationships, and go shopping. This is exactly what the holidays are about. The experience of vision loss can change and even cause depression.
Depression is Predicted by loneliness and social isolation.
Social isolation is one of the most significant predictors of depression–especially during the holidays. People with low vision or blindness are often isolated by lack of transportation and unemployment. They also fear the thought of being out in public. This can lead to depression and loneliness. Research shows that one-third of people with age-related macular damage will also suffer from depression. This can make it even more challenging to live everyday life. Depression can lead to isolation and withdrawal, which can worsen the symptoms and feelings of loneliness.
Holidays can be difficult for those grieving a loss, such as the death or end of a relationship or the loss of their vision. Feeling nostalgic about what was and anxious about the future is easy. This grief can drain our energy and make it difficult to celebrate. Although it is customary to grieve a loss, there is no set time. However, grief can get prolonged and lead to depression.
Are you feeling holiday blues or depressed?
Although it is common to feel sad or down at times, depression can be diagnosed if you experience other symptoms that persist for longer than two weeks and disrupt your daily life.
Emotional Symptoms
Apathy or loss of interest in your life
You lose pleasure in the things you once enjoyed
Feelings devalued, guilt or shame
There is no hope
Physical symptoms
Energy loss and fatigue
Insomnia, particularly early-morning waking
Excessive sleeping
Chronic aches, pains, headaches, cramps, or other digestive problems that persist despite treatment
Appetite can increase or decrease
Weight gain or weight reduction
All aspects of life are affected by depression.
Depression can cause emotional and physical pain that can impact a person’s work, family, and hobbies. Depression can cause problems in concentration and decision-making. If left untreated, depression may become more severe and even life-threatening.
Depression is not a sign that you are weak or have a negative personality; it’s a medical condition and can be treated.
Who is at Risk?
People with a history of depression in their families are more at risk. It is thought that genetics may play a part. Depression is twice as common in women than it is in men. Stress from significant life events such as divorce, death, or significant illness can trigger depression. Experts believe that depression is caused by a biologically-determined difference in brain structure or chemical function.
Treatments for depression
Talk therapy can be effective for mild to moderate depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a treatment that focuses on changing thoughts and behavior that lead to depression. Sometimes, it only takes a few months or weeks of therapy to relieve depression.
Medications
Antidepressant medication affects the levels of norepinephrine and serotonin, which are chemicals in the brain that regulate mood. It can take several weeks to become fully effective, and the dosage may need to be adjusted. Many medications are available, so even if one does not work, there is likely to be another. Research has shown that combination therapy and medication for depression is the best treatment.
Social Network
Establishing a social support network is essential because loneliness can be a sign of depression. You can join a support network or an online community. Or you could plan to visit your family and friends more often. You can connect with people even by joining a book club and taking classes at your gym.
Other treatments include regular activity or pet therapy, which have been proven to improve mild to moderate symptoms. Exercise releases brain chemicals that improve mood. It can enhance self-esteem, sleep quality, stress relief, energy, and self-esteem. Our attitudes and health are positively affected by pets and service animals. Petting animals reduces stress hormones and blood pressure. It also releases oxytocin, which promotes a feeling of well-being. Animal companionship and unconditional love can have a therapeutic effect.
Do not wait to seek help.
Depression can make you feel helpless and helpless. It can become a slippery slope as depression worsens, so getting treatment as soon as possible is crucial. It is not something to be ashamed of, and depression should not be considered a stigma. It is very treatable. More than 80% of those suffering from depression can get help with medication, therapy, or both.
