PDA

View Full Version : Unhappy holidays?


Faithless
12-23-2006, 10:45 AM
Finding ways to cope with holiday depression (http://www.sapulpadailyherald.com/news/local_story_357114710.html?keyword=secondarystory)
Published: December 23, 2006 11:47 am | By HEATHER SLEIGHTHOLM | Herald Staff Writer

For many people, when they think of “happy holidays,” they envision scenes right out of a Norman Rockwell painting: A beaming family gathered together over a huge dinner, sharing good memories and celebrating family traditions.

But for most people, life is a little more complicated than these paintings, and when the holidays fall short of these expectations, it can lead to serious bouts of holiday depression and anxiety, not holiday cheer.

...
I'll say. This year the fam is scattered to the wind due to infighting that unfortunately won't be repaired before christmas.

And I fear that if things don't shape between siblings, they may lose out on interacting with their own parents.

However, there are some steps that can be taken to make it through the holiday season as painlessly as possible.

The Sapulpa office of the National Alliance on Mental Health, a service that is partnered with Creoks Mental Health Sapulpa, has this advice for those who may feel overly stressed or depressed by the holiday season:

...

Talk about it. The holiday blues are more common than most people realize, and more often than not, at some point everyone gets stressed during this time.

Suffering in silence can only serve to make feelings of depression, anxiety and isolation worse.

Talking with someone about your feelings can help to lift the stress and lead to working through any issues that may be weighing heavily on your mind.

If you don’t have a trusted friend or family member that you feel comfortable sharing your feelings with, many churches and community centers offer special programs for people who are alone or having difficulties during the holidays.

...
But what do you do when the family isn't talking? And each person is so thickheaded, that a hammer couldn't break the wall?

moser
12-23-2006, 02:55 PM
This would depend on the issue; sometimes it's better if the family members didn't contact one another (ex. abuse).

But I assume your situation is less severe, so my advice would be to remember that you can't control others and to do the best you can with what you have. It could always be worse....

Faithless
12-24-2006, 12:06 AM
I agree on the abuse thing. Although my aunt needs the support. Uncle can rot in hell.

You're right. Can't control others -- only manipulate, everso slightly.

Will just have to get by with a partial family affair.