For someone like me, who has anxiety and depression, getting through the Christmas holidays can sometimes feel like riding the waves in a choppy ocean. Just when I get my boat steered into safe waters, along comes another wave on the horizon. No matter how much I prepare myself for the stormy seas of life, I am continuously astonished by how many storms and difficult situations that I am faced with, specifically during the holidays!
Now I realize that a little chaos must be expected during the holiday season-hustle and bustle is so normal this busy and somewhat frantic time of year. Usually, I can ride it out, but by the time it’s all over and the waves aren’t as frequent, I’m exhausted from the constant anxiety that I’ve had to surf through, along the way. Don’t get me wrong, the joy of the holidays is totally worth all the storminess. What I find unbearable is the aftermath of riding these waves- when my depression hits.
Mayo Clinic defines depression as a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.
Most depression disorders are common and treatable. Depression basically causes changes in a person’s brain chemistry and function. It seems to be inherited, but this is not always the case. There is much scientific research and evidence to support what depression is, but the causes of this disabling disease are still very debatable in the scientific community. Like all brain disorders, depression is triggered by anxiety and stress and can be the outcome of other chronic anxiety disorders. Sometimes, I feel like I have all of them.
Depression just sucks! It can make you feel so sad and hopeless sometimes. One minute you could be feeling great and then the next minute, all it takes is one or a series of stressful moments that can set it off again. There are even times when everything in your life can be almost perfect, but depression seeps its way into your day,
just because it can. Thank goodness depression can be managed with a treatment plan. Medication and behavioral therapy are just two of the treatments available to cope with this condition.
When I was young, people didn’t believe kids could have depression-it just wasn’t heard of. Doctors thought that kid’s brains weren’t completely formed enough to get depression like adult brains. Currently in the United States, the prevalence of major depressive disorder is approximately 1 percent of preschoolers, 2 percent of school-aged children and 5 to 8 percent of adolescents…depression appears to be increasing in successive generations of children, with onset at earlier ages.1
I’m a firm believer in spreading awareness about important topics and issues, in order to provide helpful resources to anyone that wants or needs them. As a way of bringing awareness about childhood depression, I'm determined to write my next book about it. Possibly, this will not only offer a valuable tool to kids and their families that suffer from depression, but also inspire hope that they can get treatment for this condition.
As for me…I do have a treatment plan for my depression and I continue to practice it daily-medication, coping skills that I learned in psychotherapy and mindfulness-based relaxation techniques. I think Christmas holidays will always be challenging for me, especially when I can't predict when the next wave of depression will strike.
I know that the waters will calm eventually though and it will be smooth sailing for me...at least for a little while!
Either way, Happy New Year!
Tracy Bryan is a self-published author for kids aged 4-12. She writes whimsical picture books about emotions, coping skills, mental illness and mindfulness. Tracy also likes to tackle social issues and speak directly to her readers about important topics that affect everyone. Tracy lives in Central Florida with her family and two dogs Jack and Rusty! Please visit Tracy's website tracybryan.com or email her at tracy@tracybryan.com
1 www.aafp.org/afp/2000/1115/p2297.html
