The subject of the Holiday Blues and the Winter Blahs comes up so often that we can find ourselves believing that it is natural and normal to feel depressed during the Christmas season. To some extent, we will all have some holiday stress and our expectations can be set a bit high leading to minor disappointments. But don’t overlook symptoms that could signal real depression.

I was talking to a casual acquaintance the other day and she began to tell me how this year she suddenly has no interest in Christmas. This wouldn’t be unusual except that this has always been her favorite time of year. This year, however, she hasn’t sent Christmas cards, she hasn’t put up a tree, she hasn’t done any decorating or shopping. Further, she began to tell me that she doesn’t want to get out of bed and go to work, she didn’t participate in the holiday events at her office. She doesn’t even want to be home with her husband. The key to all this may be her confession that she is also in the throes of menopause.

Midlife is a time of increased risk of depression for women. Studies show that it is most likely to occur during the onset of menopause and may be associated with the decline in estrogen levels.

Symptoms of depression include:

* depressed mood
* changes in appetite
* decreased interest or pleasure in activities
* change in sleep patterns
* fatigue, or loss of energy
* difficulty concentrating
* restlestness and irritability
* thoughts of suicide

Although some symptoms of menopause may overlap symptoms of depression, if you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor. Recognizing that these symptoms require intervention is the most important step. I managed to extract a promise from my acquaintance that she would, indeed, call her doctor that very day and seek some professional advice.

Here’s a link to a source on depression in midlife, symptoms, treatments and ways to get help.

University of Michigan Depression Center