Starting depression treatment during the holidays might seem counterintuitive—shouldn’t you wait until January when life settles down? The reality is that November and December often represent the optimal time to begin treatment, particularly for seasonal depression and anxiety that worsen during winter months. Understanding the timeline of mental health treatments can help you make strategic decisions about when to seek help rather than waiting for a “better” time that may never come.
Why November Is the Ideal Time to Start Treatment
The science strongly supports early intervention during the holiday season. Seasonal Affective Disorder and winter depression typically require 4-12 weeks of treatment before patients experience optimal response (Munir et al., 2024). This means starting treatment in November positions you to feel significantly better by January and February—traditionally the most difficult months for seasonal depression. Waiting until after New Year’s often means enduring the worst symptoms while treatment is still taking effect.
Dr. Derek Irons, who founded Southern Ketamine & Wellness after extensive experience treating mood disorders at the VA and in pain management, has observed this timing principle repeatedly. “Patients who start treatment in November often tell me by February that it was the best decision they made,” he explains. “Those who wait until January are often in crisis mode by the time they reach out, which makes treatment more challenging and recovery slower.”
The neurobiological reasons for early treatment make compelling sense. Winter depression involves real changes in brain chemistry—increased SERT proteins, disrupted circadian rhythms, and decreased serotonin availability. These changes typically begin in October and worsen through December. Starting treatment early means working with your brain’s natural patterns rather than against them.
Alabama’s specific climate patterns also influence optimal timing. While Birmingham and Auburn don’t experience the extreme light deprivation of northern states, our shorter days and frequent overcast skies between November and February create subtle but significant impacts on mood regulation. The earlier you address these seasonal changes, the less likely they are to develop into severe depression that’s harder to treat.
Addressing Common Concerns About Holiday Timing
One common concern about holiday timing involves family gatherings and travel. Many people worry that starting a new treatment will interfere with holiday plans or create additional stress. However, clinical guidelines recommend maintaining treatment consistency through seasonal transitions, with particular attention to holiday periods when symptoms may intensify (American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, 2024). Rather than disrupting your holidays, early treatment often makes family gatherings more enjoyable and less overwhelming.
The financial consideration creates another layer of timing decisions. Many people assume they should wait until after holiday expenses to address mental health costs. Yet research shows that early intervention for seasonal depression significantly reduces overall healthcare costs and productivity losses over time. Prevention costs less than crisis intervention, both financially and emotionally.
Southern Ketamine & Wellness works with patients to address financial concerns through flexible scheduling and helping with insurance coordination. Many treatment options, including ketamine IV therapy and SPRAVATO® nasal spray, may be covered by insurance plans, particularly when documented as treatment-resistant depression. Results vary by individual and insurance plan, but investigating coverage options early prevents financial barriers from delaying needed care.
The prevention approach proves particularly effective for people with a history of winter depression. Cochrane systematic reviews found that preventive treatment starting in early winter significantly outperforms waiting for symptom onset before beginning intervention (Nussbaumer et al., 2015). If you’ve struggled during previous holiday seasons, starting treatment in November can prevent the downward spiral rather than trying to climb out of it in January.
Strategic Advantages of Holiday Treatment
Scheduling considerations actually favor holiday timing for many people. Work schedules often allow more flexibility during November and December, with vacation days available for appointments. Many treatment protocols require initial frequent visits that become less frequent over time, making holiday flexibility advantageous for establishing care routines.
The therapeutic relationship also benefits from holiday timing. Starting therapy or medical treatment during a naturally stressful period allows your provider to observe your responses to real-time challenges rather than only hearing about past difficulties. This immediate feedback helps refine treatment approaches more quickly and effectively.
For ketamine-based treatments specifically, the rapid-acting nature makes holiday timing particularly strategic. Unlike traditional antidepressants that require weeks to show effect, ketamine IV infusions and SPRAVATO® can provide symptom improvement within hours to days. This means you could potentially feel better before Thanksgiving rather than struggling through the entire holiday season waiting for traditional medications to work.
Travel considerations, while valid, are often more manageable than people expect. Many treatment schedules can accommodate holiday travel with some advance planning. For patients on ketamine maintenance protocols, temporary schedule adjustments rarely derail progress if discussed proactively with providers.
The mindset shift around holiday treatment timing often proves transformative. Instead of viewing November and December as times to “get through” before addressing mental health, consider them as strategic opportunities to feel better during naturally difficult months. This proactive approach often leads to the most enjoyable holiday season patients have experienced in years.
Family dynamics sometimes improve dramatically when one member addresses their mental health proactively. Rather than being the person who struggles through gatherings or avoids them entirely, you might find yourself actually enjoying holiday traditions. The ripple effects benefit everyone, not just the person receiving treatment.
Some patients express concern about starting treatment during emotionally charged times. However, mental health providers are well-equipped to help during holidays, understanding that this season often triggers symptoms requiring immediate attention rather than delayed intervention.
Taking the Next Step
Three practical steps you can take this week include researching treatment options in the Birmingham-Auburn area before you’re in crisis, discussing timing concerns honestly with mental health providers who can offer specific guidance for your situation, and considering the cost of waiting versus the cost of early intervention. December 2025 may be the ideal time to address mental health challenges rather than enduring another difficult winter season.
The most important consideration is that seeking help during the holidays isn’t weakness or poor timing—it’s strategic self-care that positions you for a better winter and stronger start to the new year. Treatment results vary by individual, but starting early consistently improves outcomes compared to waiting for perfect timing that rarely arrives.
If you’ve been contemplating mental health treatment, November and December offer unique advantages rather than obstacles. The question isn’t whether you can afford to start treatment during the holidays, but whether you can afford not to.
References:
American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. (2024). Coping with depression and the holidays. https://aagponline.org/patient-article/coping-with-depression-and-the-holidays/
Munir, S., Gunturu, S., & Abbas, M. (2024). Seasonal affective disorder. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK568745/
Nussbaumer, B., Kaminski-Hartenthaler, A., Forneris, C. A., et al. (2015). Light therapy for preventing seasonal affective disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 11, CD011269. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD011269.pub2/full