With over half of all Irish adults finding Christmas stressful or depressing, the perfect jolly holiday seems destined for the wish list, writes Susan Calnan.
'Tis the season to be jolly - or so goes the familiar Christmas song, by now synonymous with the traditional festive season. Although Christmas is a much-anticipated holiday event for many, the reality of life at this time of year is far from picture-postcard perfect for many others.
According to Dr Martina Corry, consultant psychiatrist at St Patrick's Hospital, Dublin, who has a special interest in mood disorders, there is traditionally an escalation in the number of referrals for depression and in the number of people suffering from relapses of depression during the autumn and winter months. Christmas, in particular, she says, can seem like an insurmountable obstacle for those suffering from depression and often gives rise to a sense of panic or total apathy.
"For the majority of people, Christmas is a time to look forward to, even if it does mean a lot of extra work and things to do; but for anyone who is unwell in the run-up to Christmas or during it, Christmas can be a nightmare and there is often a much greater sense of alienation at this time of the year," she adds.
According to Aware, the support group for people affected by depression, there is always an increase in the number of calls to its helpline at this time of year, particularly in the number of suicidal calls received.
"For people who are lonely or who don't get along with their families, this can be an especially pressurised time because of the increased and often overwhelming expectations on people at this time of year," says spokeswoman for Aware, Sandra Hogan.
"People will often have an increased workload due to the long Christmas break and this can also exacerbate any existing problems. Increased socialising can also affect sleep patterns and we find that people call the helpline because they either don't want to, or aren't allowed to, burden families with their problems."
In a survey on Christmas stress and depression, carried out on behalf of the Samaritans, as part of a Behaviour & Attitudes omnibus report in 2001, it was revealed that over 50 per cent of Irish adults found Christmas either a stressful or depressing time of the year.
The key factors that contributed to people's demeanour at Christmas, the report outlined, tended to be financial worries, followed by family problems and pressures, as well as the pressure to have a good time.
The report concluded that one in 10 of all adults believed loneliness was an issue at Christmas time and financial worries were very dominant among those with children and those in the 25 to 34 year-old category, while loneliness was a key issue for those over 60 years of age.
According to the Samaritans, there is, on average, a 10 per cent increase in the number of calls they receive in the four- to six-week period across Christmas and the New Year. Contrary to popular belief, however, the Samaritans are not typically inundated with phone calls on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve; instead, their busier periods are in the week or two before Christmas Day, in the gap between Christmas and the New Year and during the fortnight following January 1st.
"Because Christmas day is just one day and New Year's eve is just one night, people often tend to put on a brave face for the sake of a few hours and because of the enormous expectations on them to be in good form and to have a good time," says spokesman for the Samaritans in Ireland, Paul O'Hare.
"It's usually in the run-up to these occasions or afterwards that people start to crack or they realise that they can't put on a brave face any longer."
Financial difficulties, relationship and family problems or bereavement issues can all be exacerbated at this time of year, says O'Hare, and for many people the sense of isolation is particularly distressing.
"People often assume that if a person is alone, especially at this time of year, then they are automatically unhappy. However, some people enjoy their own space and time alone," he adds.
"The feeling of isolation or of not being able to communicate with those around you, however, is a much more distressing and worrying emotion. Young people, for example, can experience a terrible sense of isolation, even though they might be surrounded by family or friends."
Keeping the lines of communication open with those around you or having somebody you can talk to is vital, particularly for those who are feeling depressed, O'Hare says. If people feel they have nobody to talk to, then they should avail of the support helplines such as those provided by Aware and the Samaritans, or of the Samaritans email service, which is particularly popular among young people.
Although Christmas is a stressful time for most, Corry advises people to prioritise and to make a list of the things that are important to them at this time of the year. Pacing yourself and getting plenty of rest is important, particularly if people feel unwell, and alcohol is best avoided for those suffering from depression, as it will only exacerbate the symptoms.
"If someone is suffering from depression, it's important that they feel they have some sense of control over the plans leading up to and during Christmas and that other friends or family members don't push them into going to something if they don't feel up to it," Corry says.
"Most importantly, people should see Christmas as a time when they focus on what's important to them. Don't be afraid to re-arrange things or to make things simpler this Christmas, if you feel you're not up to it.
"If people do feel overwhelmed by feelings of depression or isolation, then they should always seek help, or talk to somebody who can advise them; Christmas is an annual event, but a depressive illness need not be."