Post-vacation Depression: What Is It And What Are Its Effects?
Post-vacation depression is an example of the extent to which our emotional well-being is linked to our habits and routines.
And once we have become accustomed to a way of life in which leisure and moments of relaxation prevail, “changing the chip” to re-enter our work role can be hard.
In this article We will see what exactly post-vacation depression is. and how it affects us.
Post-vacation depression is an alteration in the mood that many people suffer at the end of their vacation, or when they see that they have very little time left to “disconnect” from work and soon they will have to return to the work routine.
It is an experience linked to emotional discomfort and cannot be explained by medical complications or by the changes in the body produced by the new routine when leaving the vacation behind (going to sleep at other times, eating other types of food and different times of the day, etc.).
Post-vacation depression is generally considered not to be a serious mental health problem, and will go away on its own within a few days or a couple of weeks.
This is especially so because Its main causes have to do with the change in routines and contexts to which the person is exposed daily.; Once some time has passed, the individual returns to adapt physically and psychologically to that everyday life in which work and professional matters are very present. This readjustment process is usually unconscious and automatic, but sometimes it is necessary to take deliberate steps to speed it up or even have professional psychological support.
As we will see later, post-vacation depression does not amount to a psychological disorder, and this is partly because it isThe type of discomfort it produces is not intense enough or with its own characteristics to delineate a clear psychopathology..
However, it has been seen that, in many people, a series of significant emotional alterations arise during the days after the end of the vacation (or even starting just before the vacation period ends). Among these alterations, the following stand out.
To these psychological phenomena, a physiological alteration is usually added: altered biorhythms: as a consequence of the need to adopt a new schedule, many people feel sleepy when they have to perform and have problems falling asleep when going to bed. In combination with the above, the person’s mood drops considerably.
How is it different from clinical depression?
As I have mentioned, post-vacation depression does not belong to the group of what is technically considered real depression, if we base ourselves on the criteria established in the diagnostic manuals of psychopathologies.
That is The term “post-vacation depression,” although it describes a state of discomfort, does not constitute a depressive disorder..
Although some of the symptoms may overlap and be present in both psychological phenomena, clinical depression (also called “major depression”) is a serious psychopathology that significantly damages the quality of life of those who have developed it and that lasts for months. Additionally, in this type of mood disorder, there is a risk that the person will feel so bad that they will try to end their life through suicide attempts.
As a summary, the main symptoms of major depression are the following (although they do not have to occur all at once):
In comparison, post-vacation depression does not take such a toll on mental health, and it certainly cannot lead to suicide attempts. However, Both problems may be reason enough to go to psychological therapy. (in fact, in the case of clinical depression, it is essential to seek professional help as soon as possible in all cases).
You may be interested: “Emotional discomfort: possible causes, and how to overcome it”
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My name is Tomás Santa Cecilia and I specialize in the cognitive-behavioral intervention model. I serve individuals and companies both in person in my office in Madrid, and through online sessions by video call.
