Holidays vs. mental health
This time of year is the worst for those who deal with any sort of mental health issue. Yes, the “most joyful" time of the year is actually the worst for some of us. If you're new, my name is Jillian and I battle depression and anxiety. I have struggled with these since as long as I can remember, but was officially diagnosed at 18. Don't get me wrong, I love the holidays, especially Christmas! But this time of year is the hardest emotionally for me as it is for many others in this world. It's even the time of the year when suicide rates are the highest!
During the holidays, everyone (at least most) have breaks from school or work. Families get together for big parties and family photos. Big dinners are prepared and made with love to stuff everyone's bellies. Everyone is given time to wind down, laugh and refresh. The holidays are also the time when mental health goes <em>haywire</em>! Having friends and family together can trigger bad memories. Memories ranging from a family member who has caused trauma emotionally or physically, to a father or mother who left without as much as a goodbye. It can stir up intense anxiety over making sure everyone around you feels loved and cared for by getting the perfect gifts, or making a meal that will satisfy everyone's needs and wants at the table. Don't get me wrong. I'm not talking about a casual feeling of sadness or a normal stress that the holidays cause. I'm talking about intense feelings. An overwhelming feeling of not being able to handle it.
This is the time of year where those of us with mental health issues are straight pushed to our limits. "But this person is on medication so they're fine." .....no, not necessarily! The holidays are extremely difficult and a person who deals with mental health can still very much get overwhelmed with anxiety or overwhelmed with depression. Medication can just keep someone from having the extreme meltdowns or anxiety attacks. However, it doesn't mean that we stop feeling completely. If you notice someone that has kind of disappeared physically or emotionally this holiday season, remember to show them love and grace.
If you stop receiving texts or phone calls, remember that it's not you, it's just us dealing with our emotions the best way we know how. You are still loved and cared for, whether we show it or not! And happy holidays! Don't forget as we head into the new year to hug the ones you love and remind them often of their worth in this world!!
