Nurse Practitioners Carri Schacherl (left) and Christa Hemmila work out of the Aspirus Waupaca Clinic and can be reached at 715-258-3650. (Contributed)

Depression is common during the holidays, but help is a call away

December 7, 2022

By Christa Hemmila and Carri Schacherl

During the holiday season, it is important to know that various emotions may surface.

While some of us may have feelings of excitement and anticipation, others may experience feelings of depression or anxiety due to various life stressors or the loss of a loved one. In particular, depression may be a common theme during the holiday season. It is important to recognize and treat this mental health disorder as soon as possible.

A great majority of patients experiencing mood issues visit a family medicine clinic and speak with a primary care provider about their concerns. In fact, depression is one of the most common diagnoses we treat in our clinic. As providers, we determine which patients may be treated by a primary care provider and which are more appropriately treated by a counselor or psychiatrist, making referrals as needed.

Definition & Prevalence

Depression is a medical condition that involves much more than day-to-day feelings of sadness. It has the potential to cause long-lasting symptoms, which may hinder or interfere with activities of daily living.

Many factors may increase an individual’s susceptibility to developing this mental health diagnosis. These factors may include genetics, life stresses/circumstances, and coping styles. Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders. In the US, nearly 20 percent of us experience an episode of depression at some point in our life.

Symptoms

Symptoms of depression may include a loss of interest or pleasure in most activities, a depressed mood, sleeping too little or too much, fatigue or loss of energy, poor concentration, feeling restless or sluggish, a change in appetite or weight, recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, feelings of worthlessness, or excessive guilt.

Important

Get help right away if you have any thoughts of hurting yourself:

Dial 988 to reach the suicide and crisis center
To talk to someone online, go to www.988lifeline.org/chat
Call a doctor or nurse and tell them it is an emergency
Call 911
Go to an emergency department at a local hospital

Treatment Options for Depression

Medication
Behavioral health/mental health counseling

Things that Can be Done at Home to Help

It is important to keep in mind that our day-to-day habits can help alleviate or assist with feelings of depression. Healthy habits and the formation of positive support systems may help reduce feelings of depression during this busy time of year. Some of these lifestyle changes may include:

Exercise
Mindfulness
Meditation
Positive relationships
Healthy eating
Stress management

At Aspirus Waupaca Clinic, we reserve same-day appointment times for urgent patient concerns such as anxiety and depression. Our clinic also has a full-time behavioral health counselor who we frequently refer to as well. Whether you are experiencing mental health concerns, other medical concerns, or are just due for a routine checkup, we welcome you. To schedule an appointment with us, call 715-258-3650 or schedule online at MyAspirus.org.

Christa Hemmila and Carri Schacherl are nurse practitioners with Aspirus Waupaca Clinic