CLEVELAND — A side of melancholy with the holidays is not new for many. But this year obviously took it up several notches for families who have to be separated due to the pandemic.
"I knew I was dealing with depression and anxiety, and I was not handling it well," says Sami Smith, who is fighting depression.
Sami sought treatment, but many seniors her age are reluctant. A survey from Genesight Mental Health Monitor found nearly two thirds Americans over age 65 and concerned about depression will not seek treatment and a third think they can snap out of it on their own.
"With the elderly, I think there's a misperception that getting depressed, getting down is a normal part of aging," says Dr. Mark Pollack of Myriad Neuroscience.
"They are not proactively asking for help. And even when we identify the psychiatric problems, they may still reject the help," says geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Pari Deshmukh.
We all have a lot on our plates, but recognizing the need and asking for help is OK and frankly critical these days. And technology can help. Teach older folks how to use it. Telehealth can make counseling appointments easier and video chats with family can help boost mood.
Something else that might help this holiday is finding gratitude.
"I think one of the things that people often overlook is the real importance of purpose in a life, having something to look forward to," says University of California professor of medicine, Dr. Louise Aronson.
Perhaps start writing holiday cards now, with personal notes to let people know what they mean to you. Maybe this year can teach us all to start new traditions.
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