David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
When Anxiety and Depression Come Home for the Holidays
by Lana E. Bailey, Freedom From Fear
For some the holiday season brings two unwelcome visitors, anxiety and depression. These uninvited guests not only dampen the holiday season but can leave individuals feeling overwhelmed with the pressures of preparation and social expectations. Each of us experience this time of year differently, for some it conjures up visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads but for many it?s a reminder of time gone by and losses in our lives. For those who have the latter experience you may be wondering ?if this is the season to be jolly?why am I so depressed?? It?s not surprising considering the emphasis Madison Avenue places on the holidays, which paints a Norman Rockwell setting. Anything short of this idealistic scene can cause us to question ?How come my holidays are not filled with Kodak moments??
Often this time of year serves as an unofficial bench mark of our accomplishments and disappointments for the last twelve months. This practice of measurement is a way in which we evaluate ourselves, ?How many New Years resolutions have I kept?? and, how much of that notorious ?to do? list did we accomplish? If individuals are not satisfied with their end of year outcomes, disillusionment and worthlessness can rear its ugly head further contributing to the holiday blues cycle.
The entire season is stretched over a six week period and often our expectations of all we can get done during this time can be an unrealistic prospect. Setting attainable goals and incorporating time for relaxation during the holiday season can lessen anxieties. During these weeks our everyday commitments are still in play. We must continue to make our deadlines, get the kids off to school and tend to our relationships in addition to our holiday tasks. If old Kris Kringle posed the question ?what would you like this holiday season? many of us might be tempted to ask for the gift of more time in order to satisfy our everyday obligations in addition to our holiday commitments. Unfortunately Santa does not have time wrapped in a box and last I checked Tiffany was out of stock.
Holidays are a nostalgic time, we tend to reminisce and reflect on celebrations gone by and loved ones who are no longer with us. Maybe we are unable to get home for the holidays due to financial constraints or our work commitments. How do we combat these feelings? What are we to do when anxiety and depression come home for the holidays?
by Lana E. Bailey, Freedom From Fear
For some the holiday season brings two unwelcome visitors, anxiety and depression. These uninvited guests not only dampen the holiday season but can leave individuals feeling overwhelmed with the pressures of preparation and social expectations. Each of us experience this time of year differently, for some it conjures up visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads but for many it?s a reminder of time gone by and losses in our lives. For those who have the latter experience you may be wondering ?if this is the season to be jolly?why am I so depressed?? It?s not surprising considering the emphasis Madison Avenue places on the holidays, which paints a Norman Rockwell setting. Anything short of this idealistic scene can cause us to question ?How come my holidays are not filled with Kodak moments??
Often this time of year serves as an unofficial bench mark of our accomplishments and disappointments for the last twelve months. This practice of measurement is a way in which we evaluate ourselves, ?How many New Years resolutions have I kept?? and, how much of that notorious ?to do? list did we accomplish? If individuals are not satisfied with their end of year outcomes, disillusionment and worthlessness can rear its ugly head further contributing to the holiday blues cycle.
The entire season is stretched over a six week period and often our expectations of all we can get done during this time can be an unrealistic prospect. Setting attainable goals and incorporating time for relaxation during the holiday season can lessen anxieties. During these weeks our everyday commitments are still in play. We must continue to make our deadlines, get the kids off to school and tend to our relationships in addition to our holiday tasks. If old Kris Kringle posed the question ?what would you like this holiday season? many of us might be tempted to ask for the gift of more time in order to satisfy our everyday obligations in addition to our holiday commitments. Unfortunately Santa does not have time wrapped in a box and last I checked Tiffany was out of stock.
Holidays are a nostalgic time, we tend to reminisce and reflect on celebrations gone by and loved ones who are no longer with us. Maybe we are unable to get home for the holidays due to financial constraints or our work commitments. How do we combat these feelings? What are we to do when anxiety and depression come home for the holidays?