Holidays Bring Stress to Students

by: Patricia Guebara

The holiday season can be a time of cheer, joy, happiness and of family gatherings. But for many people, it is a time of self-eval­uation, loneliness, reflection on past failures and anxiety about an uncertain future, thus leading to holiday depression.

The year is coming to an end, and peo­ple’s good moods turn sour. Statistics say that suicide rates go up during the holidays; 15-20% of teens go though depression.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that tends to occur and re­occur as the days grow shorter in the fall and winter. It is believed that people affected re­act to the decreasing amounts of sunlight and the colder temperatures as the fall and win­ter progresses. Seasonal affective disorder is also sometimes called winter depression, winter blues or the hibernation reaction.

Overwhelming financial burdens on fam­ilies can become especially painful during the holidays. When teens witness parents and others struggling with money, they become stressed. Some teens become burdened with finances and don’t deal well when they don’t have enough money during the holidays. Job loss and debt can lay a strong weight during the holidays which can all come crashing in together at the same time.

The demands of shopping, parties, family reunions and house guests also contribute to feelings of tension. People may develop oth­er stress responses such as headaches, eating and difficulty sleeping.

Although the holidays are widely known to be a time of cheer, that may not always be the case. It is important to monitor how the holidays affect others to ensure it does not happen to you. If you are feeling any of these symptoms visit http://www.webmd.com/depression/holidays07/default.htm for more information.