Watch out for those suffering depression this holiday season
By MARY ELIZABETH DALLAS December 27, 2011 3:43PM
YouTube Video screengrab of Dr. Mark DeSilva, medical director of the emergency department at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Maywood, Illinois.
Article Extras
Updated: January 26, 2012 8:11AM
’Tis the season to be jolly, but for those suffering from depression, the holidays can be a particularly difficult time.
Especially for those whose economic situation is poor due to the bad economy.
That’s why experts from Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Maywood, part of the Loyola University Health System, are bracing for an increase in patients needing treatment for self-destructive behavior — up to and including suicide attempts.
“For those who have no support system, no friends, family, loved ones or even co-workers, the holidays can prove very deadly,” Dr. Mark DeSilva, medical director of the emergency department at the hospital, said in a written statement. “Everywhere, there are signs of gatherings, gift exchanges, happiness and love. If you are not experiencing what the rest of the world is enjoying, it is very bitter.”
Although the holidays can bring out desperate acts in unstable people, experts said there are usually a number of warning signs leading up to bad behavior. DeSilva offered the following tips to help identify these red flags:
† Being antisocial. “Most people are busy going to social gatherings, shopping, attending events and connecting with friends,” DeSilva said. “Look for those who shun social interaction.”
† Being angry. “The person expresses sarcasm, unhappiness or criticism of others’ joy in the season and is consistently pessimistic,” DeSilva said.
† Abusing drugs or alcohol. “Beer or cocktails, readily available throughout the holidays, or illegal drugs, are overindulged to numb the pain the individual is feeling and offer an escape from reality,” DeSilva explained.
† Missing work or other events. “Facing others who are happy and bright is often too difficult for those feeling the holiday blues,” DeSilva said.
† Excessive sleepiness. “Depression often takes the guise of extreme fatigue or tiredness. The body shuts down to form an escape from the everyday world,” DeSilva cautioned.
Anyone who recognizes these behaviors in a friend or acquaintance should reach out to that person right away, particularly if they’ve been hit hard by the economic downturn.
“By recognizing when a person is in trouble, and speaking out, you may not only save them a trip to the emergency department, but also save a life,” DeSilva concluded.
Comments Click here to view or make a comment