By Rene Anaya
At this time of year, when winter sets in and year-end celebrations begin, it coincides with higher incomes (bonuses) for salaried workers; With Christmas decorations and a bombardment of ads about unity and family harmony, a group of people are looking for sadness, not for joy.
There is seasonal affective disorder, which coincides with the change of seasons and is characterized by a type of depression. But the so-called Christmas blues or Christmas depression does not have serious symptoms of this change.
A hidden disorder
Seasonal affective disorder, which is more common in the Nordic countries because it coincides with fewer hours of sunlight, also occurs in our country, but is rare.
The most common thing in Mexico is sadness or the Christmas blues, which some try to hide in order not to receive words of encouragement (“Cheer up, look, there are always reasons to celebrate”) or to avoid being compared to Scrooge. Or the Grinch, depending on the cultural background of those around them.
But in fact, those who suffer from this change of feeling must be party laity or do not distinguish themselves without sharing the festive spirit of others. As Christmas approaches, these are the people who start to suffer from the Christmas blues.
This condition is not directly related to winter, although less sunlight reduces the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood. However, not all people are affected by Christmas.
The Christmas blues is not found in the American Psychiatric Association's (DSM) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is considered a guide for diagnosing mental illnesses; But it can be considered as a syndrome (set of signs and symptoms) that appears during the December holidays, mainly characterized by feelings of sadness, desire to cry, deep longing, irritability, bad mood, difficulty sleeping and anxiety.
The causes of this disorder are varied, different complications can affect it, and because social and family factors intervene, it is not necessarily affected every year.
Causes of the Christmas Blues
One of the reasons is loneliness or sadness, which is difficult to face at other times of the year, but at this time they are even more so because they contrast with people's happy or excited mood. Bereavement can be due to the death of a loved one, but can be accompanied by other losses such as separation or job loss or family separation.
Expectations placed on Christmas may not be fulfilled. For example, you may believe that others' feelings of happiness will be contagious, or that you will receive more income, or that you will be reunited with family and friends. When that doesn't happen, the disappointment is overwhelming.
It can be a cause for concern to see family members again seeing things they don't want to deal with, but are “forced” to endure at the family Christmas gathering. Of course, eventually you may choose not to meet them, but habits prevail.
Likewise, some may believe that they are obligated to “be happy” because it is dictated by society and the media, which fills their programs with merry Christmas movies and series, always with a happy ending. Or commercial stores and brands that launch consumer campaigns associated with this time of year, inviting you to buy their products and services.
To overcome the Christmas blues, you must first identify which situations or issues are causing discomfort or anxiety. If it's a loss, you need to find a better way to process the grief or get professional help; Stay away from unpleasant or toxic people, even if they are family members; Avoid impulse purchases; Try to go about your daily life as if the year-end holidays are just another date.
The main thing is to be happy or to be happy, to get along with all the people, because it causes more stress by forcing you to feel like you don't have it. Even if you call them Scrooge, the best thing is to live this time of year according to what you feel.
@RenAnaya2
f/René Anaya is a science journalist
I will be publishing it in Simpre Magazine!
