EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 As the holiday season kicks off, mental health experts are cautioning that many people may experience a shift in mood, often linked to seasonal depression.<\/p>\n
Shorter days, colder weather, and the pressures of the holidays, particularly around Thanksgiving, can trigger symptoms. <\/p>\n
Clinicians note that early signs of seasonal depression extend beyond normal stress and may include persistent sadness, loss of energy, changes in sleep, and withdrawal from family or friends. <\/p>\n
With Thanksgiving gatherings adding to expectations, experts advise setting clear boundaries, such as limiting time at stressful events, planning breaks, or communicating needs with loved ones.<\/p>\n
“That’s where speaking up also comes into play because you want to be able to say, Hey, I’m not doing great. I need help. And delegating is important because you can say, I feel a little overwhelmed doing this dish or preparing this party,” said Fernando Duval, a certified child and adolescent and general psychiatrist, and an assistant professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences.<\/p>\n