Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
The holiday season is a state of mind as much as it is a stretch on the calendar. This week on Health Watch, we’ll talk about the mental and emotional impact of the holiday season. While we usually think of the holidays as a joyous season, this can be a very difficult time for many people.
Dr. Madhukar Trivedi, a mood disorders specialist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says when real life doesn’t measure up to the images presented in the media, the result can be the holiday blues. Those who don’t have friends and family nearby are most vulnerable. To fight the holiday blues, get involved in community or volunteer activities to put the focus on others. Eat properly, get plenty of rest and exercise, and don’t overuse alcohol. If the blues linger beyond the holiday season, you might want to talk to a doctor about being evaluated for depression.
Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/patientcare/medicalservices/psych/child.html to learn more about UT Southwestern’s clinical services in child and adolescent psychiatry.
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December 2007
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