HAMPTON, Va. — December is typically filled with music, laughter, lights, and family, but for some, it can mark the beginning of what mental health experts call the 'holiday blues.'
This is a pervasive sense of sadness, loneliness, and anxiety that thousands of people report feeling every year. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, over 60% of people experience some form of Holiday Blues.
Hampton Roads is no exception, and mental health experts said they are seeing people in their offices reporting the same symptoms.
"We're very much aware the holidays can be a stressful time for some, can bring about thoughts of grief for some, and that is coupled with the day-to-day stressors that we already have in our lives," said Jennifer Campbell-Raab, a nurse practitioner with Riverside Health's Mental Health and Recovery Unit.
Campbell-Raab said there can be a variety of reasons behind the sadness, from losing a loved one to financial woes, but that it can have a severe impact for some around the holiday season.
Symptoms can include loss of appetite, change in sleep, difficulty concentrating, alongside feelings of depression.
While often compared to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) the two conditions are not the same.
SAD typically starts in late fall or early winter, and the symptoms can be more debilitating.
However, both conditions can leave some people feeling overwhelmed. Campbell-Raab said when it starts approaching that point, it is always okay to reach out for help.
"If you are a person who springs out of bed every day and you are having trouble getting out of bed each day, that can be a concern and a warning sign and that might be something you bring up with a provider or reach out for support to talk through your concerns and get some professional input for that," said Campbell-Raab."
