December finally arrived. In the environment you breathe a different air. There is brightness and glow in the streets. In the houses they show the adornments and ribbons green and red that awaken in the families the Christmas spirit. The crib, the tree loaded with little dolls and colored bombs, boots for gifts in the fireplace, and good-looking images of Santa Claus in the display cases all help to complete the message that it's time to prepare for Christmas.
Everything looks perfect. But the truth is that
for a large percentage of people, joy never comes with December. On the contrary,
all those Christmas symbols provoke in these people a deep sadness and
nostalgia. The symptoms are very clear. People are apathetic, sad and with
great susceptibility. They think that Christmas is a children's thing and they
want those days to pass in the blink of an eye. Indeed, they prefer to be
alone, locked up in their house as if it were any other day of any other month.
In the countries of the northern hemisphere
this situation is known as "christmas blues" but in Colombia it has
been called Christmas syndrome. It may be mild and in this category would
classify all those people who are very bitter to live the season but once it
ends they are the same as before. But Christmas blues can also lead to severe
cases of depression. According to doctor Jorge Téllez, director of the
Colombian Society against Depression and Panic, this syndrome explains why
every December increases suicide rates and therapists' consultations.
Although it is a very obvious situation,
affecting 20 percent of the population, its causes still baffle the
specialists. For the psychologist Martha de Gómez this syndrome has to do with
the vacuum generated by the completion of a cycle. He explains that it is very
similar to the temporary depression that gives the young people on Fridays when
they do not have a rumba program for the weekend. "It works at an
unconscious level," says the expert. In these cases it would be healthier
to be aware and accept the depression for the year that will end. "
Although Christmas is par excellence a family
holiday, precisely in that nucleus lies another factor that can cause the
syndrome. To go no further, just look at the drama that occurs in couples when
they have to share the night of December 24 between the family of one and the
other. Others are forced to meet the cousins and uncles with whom they almost
never have contact just to comply with a formality, although in reality they
would prefer to be with their friends of the soul. Among the members of the
families, according to Gomez, there are always frictions and conflicts that
appear in these days to the heat of the drinks and when the controls of the
mind are loosened. "Many times meeting with relatives is not so pleasant.
The rivalries are exposed, feelings are expressed that can hurt another, in
short, can be a total mess. "
When a loved one dies or there is a loss of
family bond due to a divorce or the departure of a loved one it is likely that
the most susceptible people will be trapped by the nostalgia of past holidays.
Although many more enjoy that those who detest
Christmas experts say that Colombia's social conditions make it a country at
greater risk of having this Christmas syndrome. The displaced, kidnapped,
unemployment, bankruptcies that have affected many families and economic
recession are factors that will contribute to the discomfort of many people in
these festivities.
However, not everything is lost. The important
thing, according to the experts, is to be aware of the feelings that come out
at this time and instead of hiding them try to interpret them to better
understand the situation. Only then Christmas will not be that annoying and
distressing date but the occasion to enjoy a kind moment with the closest
beings. And remember .......... Celebrate Christmas with love and hope. A cycle
closes a new cycle begins.
Merry Christmas!
