It's a common misconception that suicides increase
around the holidays, but springtime is actually considered peak season
for suicides in the United States. Depression
may occur at any time of the year, but the stress and anxiety during
the months of November and December may cause even those who are
generally content to experience loneliness and a lack of fulfillment. Many
factors, including unrealistic expectations, financial pressures, and
grieving the loss of a loved one can cause stress and anxiety during
holiday season. My mother, Helen
Thomas was murdered in June of 1975 during an armed robbery in our home
in Harlem, New York. Even though I was only 7 at the time, I knew that
my life would never be quite the same. Since this tragic event, I have
been clinically diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Please
keep in mind, depression is common in men and women with PTSD as well as
other Anxiety disorders. After
my mother's death, I was raised by my maternal grandmother in Maxton,
North Carolina (Robeson County) which is a rural community between
Charlotte and Wilmington. Although
my grandmother did all within her power to make my first holiday season
in North Carolina a memorable one, the grief that I felt overshadowed
the delicious Thanksgiving dinner and the plethora of Christmas
presents. All I wanted was for my mother to return; unfortunately, that
never happened. It seems just
like yesterday when my mother and I were in Central Park walking around
and all of a sudden it started pouring down rain. After we found a safe
haven from the rain, I began crying because my clothes were wet. Being
that my mom knew I despised getting wet, she began laughing at me and
gave me the warmest hug that I ever received. Shortly
after the rain stopped, the sun reappeared and I began to smile because
the rain was finally gone. Whenever I start feeling sad during the
holidays, I prefer to focus on this special moment with my mother,
rather than dwell on my loss. Don't
get me wrong, losing a loved one can be very devastating, however, the
sun will reappear. Your days will seem brighter and your life will
continue, even if it's never quite the same. Coping with Holiday Depression Talk
to your doctor if you are feeling sad for long periods of time. They
can refer you to a mental health specialist. If your feelings of sadness
during the holidays are accompanied by suicidal thoughts, do one of the
following immediately: •Call 911 •Go immediately to a hospital emergency room •Contact
the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK
(1-800-273-8255). Current and former service members, use this same
number and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line Also,
you can improve your mood by practicing self-care during the holidays.
Eat a healthy diet, and maintain a regular sleep pattern and exercise
program. According to the kept Primary Care Companion to the Journal of
Clinical Psychiatry, as little as 30-minutes of cardiovascular exercise
can provide an immediate mood boost similar to the effects of an
antidepressant medication. Source: Healthline Below are more valuable resources: National Hopeline Network 1-800-784-2433 Trevor Project: 1- 866-488-7386 (24/7) providing crisis intervention and suicide
prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and
questioning youth. Substance Abuse and MH Services Administration (SAMHSA's) National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Military One Source 1-800-342-9647 |
This post first appeared on Can't Keep Running Away: Mental Illness And PTSD, please read the originial post: here