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Type the words "holiday depression" into Google search and you will get nearly a million hits.

It's tough enough when you're feeling down, feeling completely out of step with everybody else. But it's even tougher now, during the holidays, with those messages of cheer, those "tidings of comfort and joy."

Dr. Farha Abbasi, a Michigan State University psychiatrist¹, joined Stateside today to talk about navigating² the holiday season if you, or someone you care about, are struggling with depression.

Abbasi said the holiday blues³ phenomenon comes down to this:

"Those who are vulnerable, this is a much more heightened time of stress for them," she said. "They're more vulnerable to feeling lonely, isolated⁴ – more depressed⁵, and more prone⁶ to act on their suicidal thoughts."

As others gather with families and loved ones, those who don't have families – people who have suffered a recent loss or breakup for instance – feel extra lonely and extra isolated, Abbasi said.

Finances are another cause of holiday blues. People who face severe financial crises can feel let down amidst holiday shoppers.

"The holidays have become such a time for consumerism," Abbasi said.

But that doesn't have to be the case. There are other ways to give gifts that don't involve buying something tangible⁷. She said the gift of time, for instance, is a good alternative.

"There can be so many things that can be done differently to be more inclusive and thoughtful of those who do not have what some of us are privileged to have," she said.

How to combat holiday blues

Abbasi said to combat holiday blues, people should stay connected.

"Find friends, or even if you do not have anyone around in the area, at least connect to some other support groups," she said.

Churches, faith groups, volunteer organizations, charities or other holiday events, she said, are great places to start.

"Feel connected, but do not sit alone with these feelings, with these thoughts," she said. "It's very important to connect to others."

For those who know family members or friends who might feel depressed, Abbasi said it's crucial to "keep them involved in whatever activities are going on."

And, she said, take note of "any sudden changes of behavior" – whether someone appears happier than usual, sadder than usual or some other change.

A sudden change is a red flag. It could indicate someone needs immediate⁸ help.

The number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is as follows: 1-800-273-8255.

1 psychiatrist   

n.精神病专家；精神病医师

参考例句：

• He went to a psychiatrist about his compulsive gambling.他去看精神科医生治疗不能自拔的赌瘾。
• The psychiatrist corrected him gently.精神病医师彬彬有礼地纠正他。

2 navigating   

v.给（船舶、飞机等）引航，导航( navigate的现在分词 )；（从海上、空中等）横越；横渡；飞跃

参考例句：

• These can also be very useful when navigating time-based documents, such as video and audio. 它对于和时间有关的文档非常有用，比如视频和音频文档。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓
• Vehicles slowed to a crawl on city roads, navigating slushy snow. 汽车在市区路上行驶缓慢，穿越泥泞的雪地。 来自互联网

3 blues   

n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐

参考例句：

• She was in the back of a smoky bar singing the blues.她在烟雾弥漫的酒吧深处唱着布鲁斯歌曲。
• He was in the blues on account of his failure in business.他因事业失败而意志消沉。

4 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。

5 depressed   

adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的

参考例句：

• When he was depressed,he felt utterly divorced from reality.他心情沮丧时就感到完全脱离了现实。
• His mother was depressed by the sad news.这个坏消息使他的母亲意志消沉。

6 prone   

adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的

参考例句：

• Some people are prone to jump to hasty conclusions.有些人往往作出轻率的结论。
• He is prone to lose his temper when people disagree with him.人家一不同意他的意见,他就发脾气。

7 tangible   

adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的

参考例句：

• The policy has not yet brought any tangible benefits.这项政策还没有带来任何实质性的好处。
• There is no tangible proof.没有确凿的证据。

8 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。