School-age children are beginning to understand about annual events, but Diamond says it is important to keep talking to them about the importance of giving. If a child is disappointed, acknowledge the child's feelings and sympathize with him or her. Parents also can teach children the value of giving by helping them make gifts for others. Contrary to popular belief, people are no more likely to become clinically depressed during the holidays than at any other time of year, says a Purdue University psychologist. However, he says holiday stress might push persons bordering on major depression into recognizing how sad and dysfunctional they are.
Depression causes people to feel sad, helpless and hopeless.
They lack energy and don't sleep or eat well over unusually long stretches of time. Serious mood disorders, such as depression, tend to result from either personally devastating circumstances or even medical or biological processes. The Purdue Depression Clinic offers those with major depression an alternative to traditional psychotherapy. Skills taught include relaxation techniques, constructive thinking, methods for self-change and effective use of social skills. For example, Rollock says people who are depressed have difficulty being assertive.