beat back year-eve blues, Times of India, (AASRA has been mentioned)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Beat-back-the-New-Year-eve-blues/articleshow/11309935.cms Beat back the New Year-eve blues Pratibha Masand, TNN | Dec 31, 2011, 01.55AM IST MUMBAI: Nitika Makhija, in her early 20s, has been restless every evening over the last few days. The strange feeling in the pit of her stomach makes her feel as if something will go wrong. When this spell comes, nothing-not even reading a book or watching television helps. "I just have to wait for this feeling to pass. Generally, it lasts between an hour and three. Not only does it cause a sickening feeling, sometimes it leaves me feverish, it also drains me. I don't feel like doing anything or going anywhere," says Nitika, who works for a media firm. Some like Sheldon Pareira, 28, feel the urge to go out drinking every evening. "I am only a social drinker. But in the last three weeks, I've been feeling like going out for a drink, even if there's no party to attend," says Sheldon, who works in an IT firm. Nitika and Sheldon are suffering from "Year-end Blues". Many in the city have been feeling low or depressed, restless and lonely, have been feeling either a great urge to drink every day, or do not feel like eating at all. Most of these feelings are unexplained and go just as abruptly as they come. Doctors say that the party season, change in weather or fear of the upcoming year might be among reasons behind these blues. "The blues are more common among the single or those who do not have plans for the New Year's Eve," psychiatrist Dr Anjali Chabbria explains. "Those who feel bad about being single or don't have anywhere to go end up feeling low or depressed. Some would rather go out to drink every day than go home each night." Johnson Thomas, director of AASRA, an NGO that works for suicide prevention, says there has been a jump in the number depressed people calling in, especially in the last three weeks. "These calls are more at night and mostly deal with relationships gone bad. It is a vacation after which most examinations are lined up. Also, with the onset of winter, evenings get darker and gloomy. There is a general increase in mood swings during this time of the year," he says. Psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty feels that year-end is the time when people start reviewing what they have achieved during the year. "Every person has something to be happy or sad about in a year. During this period, some harp on the bad things that have happened and feel low. Also, some get jitters thinking of what might happen in the new year, thus feeling anxious," he says, adding that peer pressure to have "happening" New Year plans might also be a reason for those who cannot or do not want to celebrate. The key, say doctors, is to accept what has happened and be positive about the future. "Feeling good is ones right," says Dr Shetty. "It is only a change of date, not a big deal. Spending New Year with family is as good as celebrating it in a party," Dr Chabbria adds.