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According to a recent Harris/Decima survey, 35 per cent of people who have been diagnosed with major depressive-disorder in Canada experience a return or exacerbation of their symptoms during the December holiday season.

According to the survey, loneliness brought on by distance or absence of family or friends was the biggest trigger of a depressive episode during the holidays at 33 per cent. People can feel loneliness and isolation more acutely during this time of year, with social events happening all around them.

Financial concerns is the reason 29 per cent of people experience depressive episodes during the holidays. Exceeding holiday budgets and overspending on gifts can amplify depressive symptoms of hopelessness, anxiety, sadness and helplessness.

According to the survey, some of the symptoms experienced during a holiday-season depressive episode include:

*Sleeping too much or too little - 58 per cent.

*Inability to concentrate - 48 per cent.

*Social withdrawal/inability to take pleasure in holiday events - 46 per cent.

*Physical pain, including having headaches, back pain and/or other general aches and pain - 40 per cent.

~The Harris/Decima poll was conducted between Oct. 16 to 27 via Harris/Decima teleVox, a national weekly omnibus telephone survey. Results are based on a sample of 143 Canadians who have been diagnosed with clinical depression