Festive season doesn’t cheer all

The New Year can prove to be a particularly challenging time for those with depression, city psychiatrists warn.

Although essentially a condition of the West, several patients with depression are knocking on the doors of psychiatrists seeking help for unexplained sadness, lethargy, irritability and “grey feeling”.

Dr Parul Tank, a consultant psychiatrist, said: “In the last few years there has been an increasing number of cases of seasonal affective disorder in cities like Mumbai. People suffer from the low mood feature.”   

While dipping mercury triggers mild depression in people disallowing them to socialise, there are people who suffer from depression in the end of the year.     

“This is because of social isolation and happens to those living in nuclear families and staying single. People already suffering from depression are the ones who mostly suffer. It is unfortunate that this syndrome coincides with New Year celebrations,” said Tank.
Common complaints of people suffering from the disorder are mood swings, and low energy levels.

Dr Shubhangi Parker, head of the psychiatric department, KEM hospital, said, “There are people who take a stock of their life in the year-end. People who wanted to achieve something in the year but could not, generally go through depression. Most of them are students and young working professionals. This is a temporary phase. People bounce back in sometime.”

Doctors, however, suggest making New Year resolutions to help them start life fresh. “This is a good time for resolutions. It is a perfect time to take stock of your emotions and incorporate resolutions that can improve both your physical and mental health.”