Christmas: Identifying Anxiety Symptoms During the Holiday Season

Are you or those you love, experiencing exaggerated anxiety symptoms? Even though it seems that the holiday season should be a carefree, happy time as a whole, it is not necessarily easy for everyone.  

Introduction to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) on the medicine.net web site introduces this topic suggesting that there are three factors involved with anxiety including a possible genetic predisposition, brain chemistry and environmental factors.

In simple terms, “Daily life becomes a constant state of worry, fear, and dread.” This state may become worse or intensified during the holiday season. Identifying anxiety symptoms early can help any senior, adult, teenager, child or baby to cope with the anxieties, frustrations and concerns related to the holiday season.

Seniors, anxious about Christmas and New Years, often become grumpy, argumentative and critical of others, as well as everything about the holiday season, instead of going about their lives as they normally would or making preparations for the holidays. Many times, fear is an underlying factor, as they worry about their families, who may not show up for them during the holiday season. Many of them will tend to become ill around that time. Sometimes, this appears to be an attention-getting device directed towards family and friends.

Adults in general, may appear to be anxious and frustrated about the state of the nation, economy and the rising cost of the holiday season for their families. Tempers may flare, as everyone appears to be in a rush with a marked lack of patience for others. No one seems to have time for anyone else. Travel often presents a lot of tensions and additional anxiety.

Teenagers may demonstrate anger and tend toward violent, abusive behavior towards others, because of what they think the holiday season should represent, but does not appear to offer them. Many teenagers have become disillusioned about Christmas and New Years and tend toward abuse of alcohol, nicotine and other substances, at this time.

Children, even small children, can become frightened about the holiday season celebrations and the role that they are required to play. Naughty or nice can imply punishment or presents. Children may become afraid of Santa Claus, as well as other family members and do not see this as a happy time and act out because of it.

Babies often sense the unexpressed or expressed anxiety of their parents and others who are taking care of them. Disruption of routines because of holiday season activities can make them cranky or anxious.

While at times, there are no easy answers, there are positive, constructive things that you and others can do to help alleviate the anxiety of others during the holiday season.

Be aware that dysfunctional families do not necessarily become non-dysfunctional families just because it is Christmas. That would be wonderful and can happen at any time, not just during the holiday season. Focusing on love, joy and peace can resolve many family-related concerns that lead to anxiety. An honest expression of forgiveness can go a long way in terms of relieving the anxiety of others. So can expressions of kindness, caring and compassion.

While perfection is the ideal to strive towards during the holiday season, there is the stark reality of imperfection that is a part of everyone’s life. Learn to laugh at yourself and others regarding imperfections that are not that important to anyone once the holiday season is over. Perhaps these kinds of instances will become humorous stories passed along from generation to generation.

Remember that stress and its associated tensions are highly contagious and that many of the things that occur during the holiday season have to do with people attempting to interact with other people appropriately or trying to get things done in time for Christmas and New Years.

Keeping family, as well as other relationships in a healthy balance is always important. Everyone can participate in a healthy, happy, holiday season celebration. Christmas and New Years are not the time to express old grievances, real or imagined.

Being aware that there are new anxiety symptoms that may surface at this time, alerts seniors, other adults, teenagers and children to the reality that the holiday season can be a stressful time, but it does not have to be. Everyone can be part of making the holiday season one where the true meaning of Christmas becomes foremost in the lives of everyone.

Focusing on the needs of others, rather than on oneself, during the holiday season, can help to eliminate many unspoken anxieties. Everyone can help someone, somewhere. Remember that whatever your needs and desires are for the holiday season, there are many others in areas where there is war, famine and natural disasters, who lack their basic needs.

Being able to celebrate the holiday season is a blessing, as there are those who cannot celebrate Christmas and New Years for various reasons. You can pray for them. Regardless of your plans during the holiday season, remember that there are also those around the world who have no one and many others who are anxious about different things for various reasons. Be there for them regardless of where you are.

Be a peacemaker and speak 'Peace' as that is what the holiday season, particularly Christmas and the message of the Christ-child is all about. Start your New Year with a clean platter, free from needless and unfounded anxiety.