Counselors can help clients prepare for the pressures that come during the holiday season, from a barrage of parties and social events to the temptation to compare themselves with the happy, near-perfect holiday scenes in movies, advertisements or friends’ social media posts.
For clients with seasonal depression, it can all be overwhelming — just at a time when people are expected to be happy and joyful. Financial stresses, relationship concerns, grief over the loss of a loved one and other life challenges can feel more intense.
Counselors notice an uptick in depression symptoms in clients during the holidays, as well as anxiety over the return to normal activities in the new year. Clients are reminded to create and maintain structure over holiday breaks, including getting up at the same time in the morning and keeping up with the tasks they normally do.
Setting boundaries — from limiting party RSVPs and holiday overeating to avoiding toxicity on social media — is often key to navigating the holidays. season.
If Clients have social anxiety, three hours at a party can feel totally overwhelming. Plan to go for 20 minutes, say hello to at least three people, then leave and admit you’ve done something difficult.
On the flipside, clients who don’t receive any holiday invitations can sink into isolation or self-pity. Clients should challenge themselves. Are they sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring? If so, they can be the one to call friends and initiate get-togethers. They can volunteer. They can choose to attend concerts and other local events on their own.
The holidays — from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day — can also be a struggle for clients who are single and unhappy about it. For people who are alone, it’s learning to love being alone and make peace with it…..Reassess old patterns and beliefs and let go of things that aren’t working. What activities can you do alone? What beliefs do you have that keep you from enjoying things alone?”
Conversations with clients about setting boundaries can also be helpful in preparing for the family pressures and get-togethers that crop up during the holidays. For clients with particularly toxic or unhealthy family situations, this may mean limiting their involvement or staying away altogether, It may even be helpful to create their own new traditions during the holidays.
It is suggested to clients to think of family visits as a trip to the zoo: What behavior might you see? What can you expect? What responses can you have ready for when family members make inappropriate or triggering comments?
Approaching things with a sense that it doesn’t need to be that serious can be helpful. With other folks, if the family is seriously dysfunctional, they just need to set boundaries. For example, if dad gets drunk, they don’t need to wait around to be berated. Have a [plan and] a place to go so you aren’t as vulnerable as when you were younger.
