As I feature writer, I often get the chance for unusual interviews and stories.

That’s why I get the chance to talk to Dr. Rudy Nydegger.

The Schenectady clinical psychologist — he’s also a psychology professor at Union College — has always been gracious when I’ve asked him for perspective. His comments have added a little jazz to stories about masquerading as a member of the famous “Blue Man Group,” nudists and why people get such a kick out of revisiting high school photographs.

Nydegger’s new book, “Understanding and Treating Depression,” is now in book stores, just in time for the holidays.

The doctor is also in for some advice for people who have trouble coping with December days. Here’s a quick Q&A ... just in time for the holidays.

Wilkin: Why do these things happen? Why do the stress-depression factors seem to rise during the holiday season?

Nydegger: There are many kinds of depression, but most of them are very susceptible to stress. That is, the more stress we are under the greater the likelihood that we will get depressed. The holidays are very stressful for many reasons — there are more demands on our time, there are more things to do, we have to worry about finances and getting presents for people, we are faced with separations when people in the family have died, gotten ill, moved away, etc. Also, we are besieged by holiday images that emphasize family, happiness, etc., and if this is not representative of your current situation this might make you feel depressed or unhappy. We are expected to be happy during the holidays and there is actually more pressure to feel and act happy which can be stressful in and of itself.

Wilkin: Is it a common problem?

Nydegger: Depression is an unfortunately common problem and is twice as common in women as in men (at least during most ages). It is also true that depression rates increase during stressful times and any mental health professional or primary care physician will tell you that they see more cases of depression during the holidays.

Wilkin: Are there any signs that stress or depression ... or both ... are creeping into one’s life?

Nydegger: What we look for in making the diagnosis of depression are changes in the person’s normal life patterns, or changes from what would be considered to be normal for a person in their circumstances. Two frequent signs are increased negative moods and lack of pleasure from normally pleasant events or activities. We also often see changes in physical functioning like changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or hypersomnia — that is to little or too much), changes in eating patterns — too much or too little, and more vague physical complaints and pains. We also often see changes in physical activity patterns like decreased physical and social activity.

Wilkin: What steps can people take to prevent these emotional problems?

Nydegger: The main thing that people can do is to make sure that they are keeping things as normal as possible. Don’t isolate, don’t abuse alcohol or drugs, engage in regular physical exercise, see your friends, get plenty of rest, and don’t overdo things — don’t overeat, don’t overdrink, don’t overspend, and don’t get yourself so busy that you can’t take some time for yourself.

Wilkin: Are there any physical solutions ... such as going for a jog or swimming when you are feeling a little down?

Nydegger: When you are feeling down look for something to do that would be normally something pleasant — call a friend, work on a hobby, go for a walk or other exercise, treat yourself to something nice, but do something. The worst thing to do is to isolate and focus on how badly you feel and how awful your life seems to be.

Wilkin: Some people say depression sets in AFTER the holiday season, when all the glitter and glamor is gone .. and we are faced with winter ....do the cold, bleak days play a part in getting people down?

Nydegger: We do know that seasonal depression patterns are affected by the amount of sunlight that people are exposed to, and the short, cold, gray days of winter are particularly problematic for many people. After the holidays is a bad time for many because of the almost complete change in activity and social patterns. That coupled with the unpleasant reality of getting all of the bills from the holiday spending. It is vitally important that people take an active and assertive approach to dealing with “down” times like the first of the year.

Wilkin: If people live alone, are they more apt to develop the holiday blues than couples or families?

Nydegger: People who live alone often enjoy their peace and solitude, but they are also more likely to isolate and have problems with depression. Reach out to friends and family — even if they are not local. Use e-mail or instant messaging or things like Facebook as a way of touching others. If you don’t have a computer go the library or other site with public computers. However, don’t overdo the electronic communication as a substitute for real social activity. Also, for people alone (and others for that matter) pets can be very rewarding. Even fish or a bird can be a source of enjoyment and company.

Wilkin: Can one convince him or herself to get into a better mood? The old “there are people worse off than I am” jazz?

Nydegger: I find it interesting when people try to cheer someone up by pointing out that there are others in worse shape. I don’t know about anyone else, but someone else’s misery has never cheered me up. However, if people take on the attitude that to some extent, our mood is a matter of choice, and that we can actually choose to feel better. However, that actually means that you have to actually do things differently as well.

Choosing to be in a better mood means that you have to actually choose to do things differently. What many patients will tell me is that even if they don’t feel great after they have done something, during the time that they make themselves actually do something positive they feel a little better. I then tell them that their choice is to sit home and feel miserable, or go do something that makes them feel a little better even if it is only temporary — isn’t that better than feeling miserable all of the time?

Wilkin: What ways would you suggest people stay in good cheer during the holidays ... or at least survive the season.

Nydegger: I think that people can use the holidays to reach out to people and do things that are fun and involving. Even if you don’t celebrate the religious nature of the holidays that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy some of the activities. One thing that I often recommend is to volunteer for things like food pantries, or adopting a family or needy person for the holidays. Visiting people in nursing or adult homes is always something appreciated and helpful. Get involved with your community or religious organizations and their activities.

Dr. Nydegger’s book can be purchased at local book stores. It can also be ordered online through publisher Praeger’s website, as well as websites for Amazon, Barnes & Nobel, Borders, Tower Books and others.

Dr. Nydegger will personally sign books for people who drop them off at his office. Here's the address:
1405 Fulton Ave. (corner of Rosa), Schenectady. The office is on the ground floor in the rear of the building.