Questions which come to mind when the holiday blues set in will be answered today at a University Resources for Women lecture entitled “The holidays are coming—why the strange, sad feelings?”

The free discussion will be given by Alice Burnett, human and family resources department associate professor, who will explain causes and cures for the holiday blues today from noon to 1 p.m. at the Wirtz House located at 305 Normal Road.

This is one of 12 discussions the center has sponsored this year. Graduate assistant Cindy Evans said the center has a guest speaker, who is usually a faculty member, discuss various topics related to women every Wednesday afternoon.

Today’s topic is the second of a two-part holiday special. Evans said the last discussion was called “Reducing Stress for Children During the Holidays,” while Burnett will focus on the problems of adults.

Burnett said there are many stress factors involved with the holidays. One of the most obvious is the feeling of not getting the “right” thing for someone or from someone. Another is feeling bad when it is all over.

Other, more extreme causes of holiday blues include what Burnett calls the “Scrooge Concept.” She said some people have never enjoyed Christmas because of a bad memory. In turn they are never able to get over the disappointment and often will withdraw from all Christmas activities.

Perhaps the most extreme cause of depression during the holidays is a death in the family, she said. “If the person was central to holiday activities in the past, the Christmas season intensifies the feeling of loss.”

When someone experiences an intense loss it obviously will interfere with enjoying the holidays, Burnett said. “It is hard to renew the pleasant feelings once associated with the Christmas holidays.”

Burnett said one way to remedy those feelings of loss is to go to new surroundings during the holidays. She said this will not make a person forget his grief, but it might help to relieve painful memories.

Sharon Howard, director of the center, who spoke last year about holiday depression, said disappointment is another major cause for depression.

She said, “People have one set of expectations for the holidays and another set for reality.” For example, a person might expect the family to get along wonderfully and for everything to go exactly as planned.

oward said one of the problems is the whole sense of “I’m supposed to be having a good time, and if I’m not there’s something wrong with me.”

She added, “It’s easier to become depressed when you’re tired from all the shopping and parties.”