Holiday Chronic Depression & Suicide Risks

During the holidays doctors say that’s when they see the highest number of people how complain of being depressed.
In fact, psychiatrists say roughly one out of every 10 people are in a state of chronic depression during the holidays.
It’s the worst kind of depression that often leads to suicide.
Albemarle Hospital Psychiatrist Dr. Gary Bawtinhimer says, “There are very few diseases that will affect 10% of your population during the course of a year.  Depression is one of them.“
Dozens of things can cause it, like military deployments, and that includes today’s economy.
Dr. Bawtinhimer says it’s a significant factor
“They either have lost their jobs, or they’re worried about losing their job and their income streams. That’s a huge stress,” Bawtinhimer said.
While suicide rates have been constant in the past decade—chronic depression has steadily climbed.
Transitions Behavioral Health Therapist Brooke Tanay says therapists are generally booked with patients during the winter; because that’s when the days are shorter.  And then when you add in today’s economy, seasonal depression turns chronic.
And some health experts say come January when the bills come in things generally go from bad to worse.“
Tanay says, “That Christmas that you spent on your credit card all of a sudden is in the mail and how am I going to pay for this?“
Each year 1,000 people in our state commit suicide in an act of desperation.
The experts say if you’re having suicidal thoughts the worst thing you can do is isolate yourself… join a support network and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
That way you’ll be here well after the holiday.