The holiday season is often known for its joy and festivity.
However, it can also be a difficult time for those struggling with teen depression in Arlington, MA. While the world seems wrapped in celebration, this period can worsen feelings of being overwhelmed, lonely, or disconnected. Mental Health America reports that 20.17% of youth aged 12-17 experienced at least one major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year. This highlights the importance of being equipped to offer guidance and support during this sensitive time.
As a parent, it can be difficult to watch your teen grapple with holiday stress and sadness, compounded by the season’s inherent demands and expectations. The pressure of academics, social expectations, and familial obligations can amplify during the holidays. Not to mention seeing the staged social media posts of those around them. This blog offers a supportive space filled with strategies and coping mechanisms to help navigate these challenges. Additionally, to discuss how depression therapy in Arlington, MA, can be a helpful tool during the holiday season.
Understanding Why the Holidays Can Be Harder for Teens with Depression
The holiday season often carries with it a set of unrealistic expectations. Whether presented through social media, movies, or advertisements, these unrealistic expectations can pressure anyone into believing they must feel perpetually happy, excited, and joyful. For teens who are already struggling with depression, these expectations can add even more pressure and feelings of inadequacy. Additionally, triggers and stressors are also more common during the holidays. Family dynamics can be a source of tension, with latent conflicts or unresolved issues coming to the surface. It can also be added pressure as teens may feel like they have to put on a happy face for their family, even if they are struggling internally. Those changes in your teen’s mood, especially during the holiday, can be a sign that they are experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter seasons.
SAD can often overlap with traditional depression symptoms and adds another layer of complexity during this time of year. As daylight diminishes, the decrease in sunlight can disrupt the body’s internal clock and reduce levels of serotonin. This is a brain chemical that affects mood. Consequently, many individuals experience a surge in depressive symptoms. For a teen, this could manifest as extreme fatigue, changes in appetite or weight, and difficulty concentrating. These are all factors that can contribute to making the holiday season a particularly challenging time for those struggling with depression. However, there are steps and strategies that teens can take to navigate these challenges and find joy in the holidays.
Tips for Supporting Your Teen During the Holidays
The upcoming holiday season can be a source of stress for your teen and even the whole family. But with intentional and compassionate measures, you can help guide your teen through it. Here are some tips for supporting your teen during the holidays when they have depression:
Setting Realistic Expectations as a Family
With social media, movies, books, and advertisements portraying the holiday season as a time of joy and perfection, it can be easy for everyone to get swept up in unrealistic expectations. As a family, try to have open and honest conversations about what is achievable during the holidays. Encourage your teen to express their feelings about the holidays and help them set realistic expectations for themselves. Also, as a parent, understand and honor your teen’s limitations. Allow them to set realistic and healthy boundaries surrounding social events, gift-giving, and other holiday traditions.
For instance, allowing them to skip certain events if they are feeling overwhelmed or reducing the number of gifts they are expected to give can alleviate some pressure. Having an open discussion with them about which holiday activities they are comfortable participating in and which ones they would prefer to skip can be beneficial. This can help create a more manageable and enjoyable holiday season for them.
Encourage Self-Care
Encouraging your teen to develop a self-care routine can be incredibly beneficial for their mental well-being. This might include physical exercise, a balanced diet, good sleep hygiene, or diving into hobbies that bring them peace. Small acts of self-care, such as a brief walk or a quiet moment of reflection, can be particularly crucial when depressive symptoms become more prominent. Your teen will feel their best when they have slept well, eaten well, and taken care of themselves. Encourage them to prioritize their self-care routines throughout the holiday season and support them in finding a balance that works for them.
Find Ways to Connect with Your Teen
Spending time with your teen in a meaningful way can help relieve some of the stress and pressure they may be feeling during the holidays. This could involve finding new traditions to do together, such as baking holiday treats or watching a favorite movie. Or, it could be going on a nature walk to enjoy the winter scenery or having a heart-to-heart conversation over a warm cup of cocoa. The important thing is to allow them to lead the way and choose activities that they genuinely enjoy. It allows them autonomy and control during a time that may feel overwhelming for them.
Connecting Your Teen with Support Systems
If your teen is struggling with depression during the holidays, it is essential to connect them with a strong support system. This could include reaching out to trusted family members, friends, or a therapist in Arlington, MA. Therapists can provide teens with a safe and non-judgmental space to explore their feelings and develop coping mechanisms. They can also offer helpful strategies for managing symptoms during the holiday season.
How Therapy for Depression Can Help
Therapy for depression in Arlington, MA can be one of the best resources for teens during the holiday season. Therapy can help teens develop healthy coping mechanisms and provide a safe space to express their feelings without judgment. A therapist in Arlington, MA can also work with your teen to identify triggers or stressors that may arise during the holidays, and together, they can develop strategies to manage these challenges. Therapy for depression also allows you to become a partner in your teen’s treatment.
By working with your teen’s therapist, you can better understand their struggles and how to support them effectively. It is also an opportunity for you as a parent to receive guidance and support in navigating this difficult time. Therapy will be customized to fit your teen’s specific needs, involving options like talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), light therapy if your teen has SAD, or other proven evidence-based treatments. Ultimately, with regular therapist sessions, your teen can learn to identify the skills and tools necessary to handle their symptoms and enjoy the holiday season.
The holiday season, while often joyous, can also be a challenging time for teens navigating depression. However, with the right support and strategies, your teen can find joy and manage their symptoms during this time. As a parent or caregiver, it is essential to have open communication, set realistic expectations, and provide space for self-care and meaningful connections. And if your teen needs additional support, do not hesitate to connect them with a depression therapist in Arlington, MA. Together, you can help your teen navigate the holiday season successfully.
Enhance Your Holiday Experience & Overcome Teen Depression in Arlington, MA
The holiday season can be a challenging time for teens struggling with depression, but it doesn’t have to be. With the help of therapy for depression in Arlington, MA at BainHWC, your teen can build healthy coping skills and better manage their symptoms during this time. Therapy provides a safe and supportive environment for teens to express their feelings and develop strategies to navigate the holiday season successfully. If your teen is in need of support this holiday season, reach out to a depression therapist in Arlington, MA at at BainHWC today. Our team at the Bain Health and Wellness Center specializes in adolescent mental health and is dedicated to helping your teen thrive. Take the first step toward healing:
- Reach out today to begin your free 20-minute consultation.
- Speak with an experienced teen therapist.
- Enjoy the holiday season with your teen in a healthy and meaningful way!
Other Therapy Services Offered at The Bain Health and Wellness Center in Arlington, MA
If you believe your child could benefit from therapy, reach out to the Bain Health and Wellness Center (BainHWC). We offer in-person and online therapy for teens struggling with depression, trauma, anxiety, ADHD, autism, OCD, parent coaching, and more. All mental health therapists at BainHWC are trained in evidence-based treatment and have several years of experience working with children, teens, and young adults.