- With Mayo Clinic psychiatrist
Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.
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Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.
Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.
Dr. Gabrielle Melin, board certified in general psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine, is looking for ways to empower patients and families dealing with chronic mental illness. She encourages patients to commit to working together with their physicians and health care teams.
Dr. Melin completed medical school at the University of Minnesota. She completed both her psychiatry residency and consultation-liaison fellowship at Mayo Clinic before joining the Mayo Clinic staff in 2001. She is medical director of Mayo Clinic Psychiatry Emergency Services in Rochester, Minn. She has special interests in emergency psychiatry, adult psychiatry and addiction psychiatry.
"Instilling hope is one of the most important things we can do for patients and families. Mental illness can be chronic and significantly impacts lives. Our goal is to provide the best treatment and education so that patients can manage their symptoms more effectively," she said.
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Depression blog
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Dec. 20, 2008
Managing the holiday blues
By Gabrielle J. Melin, M.D.
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The holidays can be the best time of the year for some people and the worst time of the year for others.
We all know people who say they "dread" the holidays. The holiday blues should not be confused with seasonal affective disorder that we talked about a couple of weeks ago. The holiday blues refers to specific feelings and symptoms that can mimic depression such as:
- Depressed mood
- Decreased interest in life activities normally enjoyed such as social gatherings, shopping, cooking, hobbies
- Feeling overhwhelmed
- Irritability
- Fatigue, feeling drained physically and emotionally
- Sleep or appetite disturbances
- Anxiety, feeling nervous, edgy or "keyed up"
- Excessive guilt
What causes the holiday blues?
- Burning the candle at both ends
- Putting pressure on ourselves to have everything done today, and done perfectly
- Not following our normal eating and sleeping routines
- Using more alcohol
- Getting together with family can be difficult when discord or unresolved issues exist
- Unpleasant memories or experiences from prior holidays
- Financial pressures and expectations of buying gifts
What are some solutions?
- Keep a regular sleep schedule as much as possible
- Try to maintain a healthy balanced diet amidst the cookies, eggnog and other goodies
- Limit alcohol intake (it may make you fall asleep easier, but disrupts the quality of sleep overall)
- Take medications as prescribed
- Make sure to schedule alone time to feed your mind, spirit, and body
- Maintain your exercise routine
- Don't strive for perfection, rather do the best you can and ask for help from others
- Limit time at gatherings if needed
Do you have any other observations about the holiday blues, and tips for managing this stressful time?
Have a happy, peaceful holiday season.
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