The holidays. For many of us, its a time of joy and happiness and celebrations. But for some, the holidays bring feelings of stress, fatigue, conflict, or depression  the holiday blues.

The holiday blues commonly result from psychological, financial, or physical pressures  this may be the first holiday without a loved one - the family is coming to visit - wanting to have the perfect holiday part  not having enough money to buy gifts or spending more than you can afford, - eating too much food or drinking more alcohol than usual, - not getting enough rest or exercise.

Banishing The Holiday Blues Eat right, get plenty of rest, and exercise regularly. Avoid drinking too much alcohol or overeating. Be realistic about what can and cannot be done. Organize your time, make lists, prioritize, make a budget and stick with it. Also be realistic about others in your life  family and friends, and what they can or cannot do, and accept their differences. Create new holiday memories. Hold onto some holiday traditions, but as your life changes, so do holiday experiences. Try something new. Do something to help someone else. Volunteer. Give to charity drives. Enjoy activities that are free  holiday parades, driving around at night to look at holiday lights, window-shopping. Spend time with supportive family and friends. Contact people you havent seen in a while. Acknowledge your feelings. Allow yourself to feel sad or lonely if you need to; these are normal feelings you have throughout the year and just because its the holidays it doesnt mean theyll disappear. Find time for yourself and give yourself a break. Treat yourself!

So what do you do if a friend is not feeling happy and joyous at this time of year? First, its important to recognize whats happening. Your friend may be suffering from the holiday blues, or it could be more serious and they could be suffering from clinical depression. Know that your friend is not alone.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression peaks during the holiday season, and affects about 17.6 million Americans.

The holiday blues tend to occur around holidays as the name implies, and theyre usually temporary. Depression, on the other hand, is more than just the blues or the blahs; its more than the normal, everyday ups and downs.

When the down mood, along with other symptoms, lasts for more than a couple of weeks, your friend could be suffering from clinical depression. Clinical depression is a serious health problem that affects the total person. It can change a persons behavior, their performance at school or on the job, their social activities, and their ability to handle everyday stresses.

Symptoms of depression

So how do you know if your friend is depressed, or has the holiday blues? People who are depressed often have a difficult time thinking clearly or recognizing their own symptoms.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, if notice your friend has any of the following symptoms, and theyve lasted longer than two weeks, he or she needs your help.

Types of Depression Two serious types of clinical depression are major depression and bipolar disorder. Major Depression: Major depression makes it almost impossible to carry on usual activities, sleep, eat, or enjoy life. Pleasure seems a thing of the past. This type of depression can occur once in a lifetime or, for many people, it can recur several times. People with a major depression need professional treatment. Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Illness): Another type of depression, bipolar disorder--or manic-depressive illness--leads to severe mood swings, from extreme "lows" to excessive "highs." These states of extreme elation and unbounded energy are called mania. This disorder usually starts when people are in their early twenties. Though unusual for this type of depression to start for the first time in later life, it requires medical treatment, whatever the person's age. Source: National Institute of Mental Health

What can you do?

If you think your friend is suffering from depression, be a friend and find someone who can help. You can listen, but also encourage your friend to seek treatment. If your friend doesnt seek help quickly, talk to someone you trust and respect, such as your clergy, a trusted family friend, a school counselor, your family doctor, or call your local mental health services hotline.

Most people who are depressed do not commit suicide, but depression does increase the risk. So if your friend talks about death or suicide, take their talks seriously and get help immediately.

Treatment of depression includes psychological therapies, medications, or a combination of the two. But, the most important step  and sometimes the most difficult  is asking for help. Give your friend the holiday gift they need. Help them get help. It may be the best gift you could give them.