Dealing with Depression During the Holiday Season

Posted on December 4, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

The holidays are a time when we spend joyous and happy moments with friends and family. However, for some, the holidays can bring a lot of sadness, loneliness, and even depression. This is called holiday depression.

Holiday depression can feel a lot like regular depression; however, it is triggered by the onset of the holidays, large family gatherings, and attending or hosting social events. Holiday depression is like the “winter blues”, but it may come and go in quick bursts as one event ends and another begins, or it can linger for days or weeks leading up to and beyond the holiday season.

Holiday depression can disrupt relationships, mental health, and the ability to manage everything that comes with the holiday season.

Holiday depression can affect anyone at any time, and it can be hard on a person’s mental health, as it can be triggered by various things, including:

Stressful schedules

Putting pressure on yourself

Separation from loved ones

Loneliness

Family dynamics

Seasonal depression

Social anxiety

Holiday trauma

There are several signs of holiday depression. They can include:

Feeling depressed and hopeless for more days than not

Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy

Constantly feeling anxious, nervous, or on edge

Trouble sleeping over an extended time

Intrusive thoughts that are difficult to manage on your own

Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Holiday depression can feel daunting as you navigate the season. However, there are many ways to cope with and find support and emotional stability that can help you get through this difficult time of year. They include:

Remembering a loved one

Setting boundaries

Staying connected with friends and family

Limiting social media use

Sharing happy memories

Setting realistic expectations for the holidays

Taking care of yourself

Seeking support and help

If you are having harmful thoughts, such as thoughts about suicide, or believe you are experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7 through phone, chat, or text, go to the hospital, or call your local 911 hotline and your doctor right away to get the help you need.

No one should face their mental health challenges alone. To learn more about our outpatient mental health services at Flushing Hospital Medical Center or to schedule a virtual appointment, please call (718) 670-5316 to speak with our intake coordinator or (718) 670-5562 to reach the clinic.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Holiday Loneliness

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

For a variety of reasons, many people may feel particularly lonely during the holiday season. In some cases, it can be due to the loss of a loved one who they would normally spend the holidays with; for others, it may be due to illnesses or other circumstances that isolate them from friends and family members.

No matter your personal situation, there are steps you can take to help either yourself or someone else feel less lonely during the holidays. Some of these steps include:

Calling family members or friends you don’t talk to often: If you feel disconnected from family members or friends during the holiday season, this may be a great time to give them a call and check in on them.

Joining a community or volunteer group: If you don’t have any plans or expectations of seeing anyone during the holidays, you may be able to find opportunities to participate in local community events. You may also be able to volunteer your time either at these events or at other needed places during the holidays.

Finding activities to enjoy on your own: It’s perfectly okay to enjoy the holiday season on your own doing things that you enjoy, whether it involves activities at home, going out to enjoy activities.

Loneliness during the holidays may be harder for some people to cope with than others; don’t be afraid or ashamed of seeking help from a mental health professional. You can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic by calling (718) 670-5562.

Holiday Mental Health Tips

Posted on December 13, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Despite the cheerfulness surrounding the holiday season, it can also be a difficult time for many people, bringing with it a variety of mental and emotional challenges. Some people may associate the season with a significant loss of a loved one, while others may become overwhelmed by the typical demands and expectations that come with this part of the year.

Whatever these challenges may look like for you, it’s essential to have healthy tools and coping mechanisms to help you overcome them while getting as much joy as possible out of the holiday season. A few helpful tips include:

Spending time with other people: A large number of people tend to feel lonely during the holidays. Some people may be distant from loved ones or may have lost multiple people they’d typically spend this time with. Whatever your circumstances may be, it can be helpful to spend time with any loved ones who are available, whether they’re friends, family, or any other important people in your life. If nothing else, it may help to find a local community, support group, club, or meetup to engage with during this time.

Giving yourself space as needed: While many people may feel lonely during the holiday season, others may encounter the opposite problem: feeling overwhelmed by gatherings, events, and expectations from the people around them. It’s okay to recognize and be up front about what you’re able to handle at this point in time, and to say no to anything that you feel would be too much for you.

Recognizing when you need help: It may not be easy for everyone to identify when they need mental help, or to make time to get that help, even if they recognize that it’s needed. However, your mental health should be a priority at all times, and you should get help from a licensed, qualified therapist when issues such as stress, anxiety, or depression start to overwhelm you.

If you need help from a psychiatrist during this holiday season, you can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic by calling (718) 670-5562.