The holidays can be a hard time for those suffering from mental disorders. It’s a season that’s as stuffed full of anticipation as a stocking is with candy. As a time of year that is so often overloaded with expectations, the holiday season can get some people down.
The constant social interaction of time spent with family and friends can negatively affect those with social anxiety. The never-ending expectation for everyone to be happy and joyful can be hard on people who are suffering from depression. The desire for the holidays to be perfect can make life difficult for people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and the overall stress of the season can be a trigger for people who have generalized anxiety. And let’s not forget how difficult it is for some people to spend time with their families who might not be loving and accepting.
It might be “the most wonderful time of the year,” but it isn’t always like that for everyone.
First, I want to say that it’s okay to be upset over the holidays. It’s okay to feel sad or to feel anxious. Just because the holidays are supposed to be a magical time of the year filled with good cheer doesn’t mean that you have to force yourself to be constantly “holly and jolly.” You have feelings. We all do. We’re all human. The Christmas season doesn’t take away all of our problems, so nobody should have to pretend that they’re okay if they’re not.
One thing you can do to keep yourself afloat during this time of year is to find a friend whom you trust and who you can be honest with about your feelings throughout the holidays. Many people tend to bottle up their feelings because they don’t want to burden the people in their life during Christmas time. Talk to your chosen friend beforehand and explain your situation to them. Make sure they’re okay with you sharing your feelings with them. That’ll help ensure that they’re okay with being there for you through the holidays, and it’ll also help you not feel guilty for being negative to someone on Christmas.
Another strategy is to continue going to therapy if you already do so and to maybe start going if you don’t already. If you go to therapy regularly, don’t let the holiday season throw you off your routine. Make time for your therapy sessions and reschedule them if you need to based on your therapist’s holiday availability. If therapy simply isn’t an option for you, there are many free online resources that can help you (I’ll list them at the bottom of this article.)
One last thing you can do to get yourself through the holidays is to meditate in the morning and at night. You can also pray if that’s your thing. This can help you re-center yourself to make sure you’re equipped for each day ahead. Christmas is often looked upon as a time for family and friends, but don’t forget to take time for yourself.
And always remember, if you need a break, you should take a break. If you’re feeling like you need to go to bed early, like you need some time away from your family, or like you’re just not up for every single holiday tradition, that’s okay.
The true meaning of Christmas isn’t about the financial stress of gift-giving, the anxiety associated with toxic family situations, or the mental difficulty of maneuvering through a season filled with seemingly unattainable expectations.
The true meaning of Christmas is about joy and life, peace and love. Remember that Christmas isn’t meant to be perfect, and it’s okay if yours isn’t.
Hotlines and Other Resources:
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline — 1-800-273-TALK
- Trevor Helpline/ Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ Teens — 1-866-488-7386
- Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741
- Gay and Lesbian National Hotline — 1-888-THE-GLNH (1-888-843-4564)
- IMAlive — online crisis chat at imalive.org
- Teenline — 310-855-4673 or text TEEN to 839863 (teens helping teens)
