Lived Experience Forum

[Ellu]

Has anyone already started a thread about the impact of the festive season on people struggling with mental illness? It is still November, but all the shops are full of Christmas decorations and every letterbox is full of pamphlets urging us to spend, spend on Christmas gifts.

Unless your family is perfect (oh yeah) those of us with mental illness get highly stressed at the thought of Christmas socialising. Family get-togethers can be nightmares, and the whole Christmas thing overwhelming.

I am currently well, but even I am stressed by the thought of how to handle the Christmas Season. And there are many people who will find themselves alone at Christmas, or in unhappy family situations.

I have come up with a couple of tips to help. Don't get everyone a Christmas present - have a Kris Kringle so you only have to buy a present for one person. For families with older children (my 4 children are all in their twenties) give the children a budget and tell them to buy their own present.

Don't feel pressured to have a full-on Christmas Day. Keep the gathering low key and relaxing so that everyone can enjoy themselves.

I know that some people will be in dysfunctional family situations and are already getting stressed at the thought of Christmas. One word - NO. Don't be afraid to say no to situations which will make you uncomfortable.

On your own at Christmas? Consider volunteering at the many charities such as the Salvation Army who provide Christmas Lunch for homeless people.

Try not to get caught up in all the hype around Christmas. Remember it wasoriginally a religious holiday, nothing like the consumerism and carrying on of today. I have to admit that I really hate this time of year and all the rubbish that goes with it, but work out what is best for you and don't be pressured into a whole lot of things you don't want. 

And remember, it is only one day. I know how hard it is to cope, but it is only one day to get through and then it will be all over.

I hope it all goes well for you,

Ellu

[Amour_Et_Psyché]

Hi @Ellu,

Thank you for sharing that you are feeling stressed about Christmas being near, and also for offering tips around how to deal with the Christmas season. I hope other members who are feeling stressed about Christmas see these, as they are great pieces of advice! I especially like the saying "No" one (which takes bravery) and volunteering if you are alone on Christmas.

There have been some threads around coping at Christmas - e.g., (1) "Christmas blues" by @Former-Member; (2) "Christmas" by @BlueBay; "Coping with Christmas" by @greenspace; and (4) "Christmas?!?" by @Former-Member. You may wish to either read these or add some of the wonderful tips you have noted here in those threads - or alternatively you may wish to link this thread in those threads.

You may also be interested in reading a Topic Tuesday SANE did last year called "Is it OK to ignore Christmas."

I hope you find these threads helpful yourself, and that you can help other members struggling with the Christmas season by sharing your tips!

Kindest Regards,

Amour_Et_Psyché

[utopia]

Hi @Ellu. Good to meet you.
Just the thought of Christmas raises my anxiety this year, so I'm trying not to think about it. Last year, after a family lunch for 4 - mum, sister, son & myself - I was overly stressed. So in the afternoon I took myself up to my mountain where I feel the most calm & I meditated for an hour. That definitely helped me to relax and not need to reach for a PRN.

[Ellu]

Dear @Amour_Et_Psyche

Thank you for your kind comments. Sounds  as if I am not the only one trying to put in strategies to cope with Christmas.. You mentioned linking this thread with those other  threads about Christmas. How do I do this?

Thank you for your guidance,'

Ellu

[Queenie]

Although I get involved in Christmas with my Mrs' family, the Festive Season also leaves me with a hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach. I think for me, Christmas died when my Father rejected me. I hardly ever see him and I can count on my hands the number of times I talk to him during the year. Often over Christmas, I've been hospitalised due to a variety of reasons relating to my mental health. It is a sad time for me, as I remember my brother and mother who have passed. The fact I don't see any of my own family over Christmas/New Year really hurts sometimes. I also have to be super careful with all the sensory overload at shopping centres and stuff, that I don't get triggered into a manic phase. It's happened in the past and has seen me spend money I don't have on unnecessary things as presents. It kind of scares me it will happen again. 

So Christmas can be difficult from my standpoint. 

[Former-Member]

also find christmas overwhelming and cant believe its sneaking up on us again already...
Thank you for your tips @Ellu - its nice to see you around the forums.

[Amour_Et_Psyché]

Hi @Ellu

My pleasure! Yes - you are definitely not the only one!

If you want to link this thread to other threads, you can copy and paste the hyperlink/website in the textbox when you comment on a thread - e.g., https://saneforums.org/t5/Our-experience-stories/Festive-season/m-p/370779#M49731.

Alternatively, you can provide the title of this thread and then highlight the title using your mouse. Once you have done this, click the little paperclip button when attempting to comment on alternative threads. After clicking the paperclip button right above the textbox, copy and past the hyperlink/website in the box that reads "URL" - e.g., "Festive Season."  Then, when you are finished, post the comment.

I hope this information helps! If you are still unsure, please tell us so we can help you with linking this thread in other threads.

Kindest,

Amour_Et_Psyché