Maintaining Mental Health Key To Having A Happy, Healthy, Holiday Season

Main Category: Bipolar
Also Included In: Depression;  Mental Health
Article Date: 21 Nov 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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The upcoming holidays are known as much for stress and anxiety as they are for joyful times with family and friends. It is easy to get caught up in the holiday frenzy, but there's never a more important time to remember to take care of your mental health.

For people diagnosed with mood disorders, such as depression, the holidays can be even more difficult. Sue Bergeson, president of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), the nation's largest patient-run organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses, stresses the importance of sticking to treatment plans that are already in place.

"Whether you're diagnosed with a mood disorder or not, it's really important to maintain a focus on your mental health over the holidays," Bergeson said. "If you are living with a mood disorder, remember to stick to your treatment plan and don't alter anything without checking with your doctor or therapist first.

"If you're not diagnosed with a mood disorder but feel yourself starting to become stressed out, it's really important to take some quality time for yourself," Bergeson added. "But if you start feeling sad or hopeless for a prolonged period, it's a good idea to seek professional help."

According to Bergeson, you can maximize the holiday experience and minimize stress and mental anguish by remembering to follow a few simple tips.

-- Set reasonable expectations. Remember the spirit of the season. It's not about who has the best decorated house or who can buy the most gifts. You, along with your family and friends, will have a more pleasant experience if you're not overextended.

-- Don't take on more than you can handle. If your to-do list becomes too long, divide the tasks over the course of a week. One long list suddenly looks shorter when there are only a couple of tasks to complete each day.

-- Delegate tasks. You shouldn't be expected to do everything, so it's okay to ask for help. Let the saying "many hands make little work" be more than a cliche this year.

-- Schedule time alone. It doesn't have to be a lot of time. Fifteen minutes of quiet time can be quite rejuvenating, particularly for parents or in households where there's a lot of activity or company from out-of-town. Make a cup of tea, go for a walk, or find somewhere quiet to retreat. The sounds of silence will be music to your ears. And for people living with mood disorders, these tips can prove to be real life savers.

-- Be honest with family and friends about your moods. Make sure there's someone you can talk to over the holidays. Don't be afraid of bringing everyone down with your mood; your family and friends may be worried about you, and you will all feel better if there's an open line of communication. Once you vocalize your feelings to someone you trust, you'll be better able to manage your moods.

-- Make support group meetings a priority. It's easy to let your normal routine slip away, but if you attend a peer-run support group like those run by DBSA and other organizations, be sure to maintain your regular schedule of doing so. You'll not only be getting the support you need, you'll be helping your peers as well.

With these tips in mind, people will be more likely to have a mentally healthy and happy holiday season, says Bergeson. "The question you have to ask yourself is, 'Can I afford not to take care of my own mental health now or at any other stressful time?'"

For more information about depression and bipolar disorder, how the affect your life, and how to cope, visit http://www.DBSAlliance.org or call (800) 826-3632.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
http://www.dbsalliance.org