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Holiday anxiety?
I haven't been to this forum for over a year - I forgot what the name of it was and am so glad I rediscovered it! Anyway, I'm just wondering if any of the rest of you have problems with anxiety around the holidays. It's really kind of a combination of depression AND anxiety mixed and it's pretty miserable. I'm going to have my kids (I'm a 58 year old female) over for dinner tomorrow and am looking forward to that, but the holidays in general are just so hard for me. I'm weepy, tend to isolate, have to really push myself to get stuff done.
I work full time as a teacher, and I've always known that unstructured time is the worst for me. All of my good support friends are out of town, so I'm basically on my own which is frightening by itself.
I don't want to bring people down - most enjoy the holidays. I don't know where to turn. Thanks in advance and have a happy Thanksgiving.
I work full time as a teacher, and I've always known that unstructured time is the worst for me. All of my good support friends are out of town, so I'm basically on my own which is frightening by itself.
I don't want to bring people down - most enjoy the holidays. I don't know where to turn. Thanks in advance and have a happy Thanksgiving.
I'm glad we could help, hmf. Sounds kind of Pollyanna-ish, but the best medicine for me when I'm feeling down is to go out of my own "self" and help someone else. I'm honored that our conversation helped you. Hugs.
Just reading what you two young ladies wrote helped me understand my anxiety during the holidays. Here I was freaking out, not realizing part of it could be the holidays! I'm sooo greatful there is a place like this where we can talk to others with anxiety.
We sound very much alike! I have a 24 year old daughter also and a 19 year old son. My daughter got married very young (18) and has two adorable little boys, so our evening was noisy but fun. My 19 year old is in college about 45 minutes from here and is a terrific help to me since he can come home easily. He was in charge of the mashed potatoes and just generally helps out. My daughter is busy chasing the baby!
Like you, I felt calm after they all left. (We had a couple of adults who would have otherwise been alone, also.) I took my time cleaning the kitchen and straightening the house. It was nice. I'm so fortunate to have such great kids.
Tomorrow will be snowy, so no Black Friday shopping for me except perhaps online. I'm taking an online class (I'm a teacher) so I'll work on that and catch up on the tons of things that need doing here. I'll wake up anxious probably, but I'll be taking the Xanax for a few days to help me though this rough patch. My doctor taught me to ramp it up if needed and then how to taper off. I've never had a problem doing that. I only have to do it a couple of times a year - holidays being one of the times!
Take care. I enjoy chatting with you!
Like you, I felt calm after they all left. (We had a couple of adults who would have otherwise been alone, also.) I took my time cleaning the kitchen and straightening the house. It was nice. I'm so fortunate to have such great kids.
Tomorrow will be snowy, so no Black Friday shopping for me except perhaps online. I'm taking an online class (I'm a teacher) so I'll work on that and catch up on the tons of things that need doing here. I'll wake up anxious probably, but I'll be taking the Xanax for a few days to help me though this rough patch. My doctor taught me to ramp it up if needed and then how to taper off. I've never had a problem doing that. I only have to do it a couple of times a year - holidays being one of the times!
Take care. I enjoy chatting with you!
I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. Christmas will always have that memory with it. My mom is still living, however I lost my dad two years ago. I still ache to be able to see him or hear his voice again.
How did it go today?? I made it, however my daughter just had her special bite to the day. She's 25 and I keep hoping she'll start to think of others once in awhile. I felt myself calm almost immediately after everyone left. Like you, I tend to isolate as well. I'm never bored in my own home. I also used to love the events of the holidays and was a Black Friday shopper for many years (shudders to think of it now ). Do you think it's age?? That the longer we have lived with our unique anxiety issues, the more we are able to seach out ways to make our lives less stressful, even if it means we tend to back off some things? Just thinking out loud.
A big hug to you as well. I hope you had a wonderful day.
How did it go today?? I made it, however my daughter just had her special bite to the day. She's 25 and I keep hoping she'll start to think of others once in awhile. I felt myself calm almost immediately after everyone left. Like you, I tend to isolate as well. I'm never bored in my own home. I also used to love the events of the holidays and was a Black Friday shopper for many years (shudders to think of it now ). Do you think it's age?? That the longer we have lived with our unique anxiety issues, the more we are able to seach out ways to make our lives less stressful, even if it means we tend to back off some things? Just thinking out loud.
A big hug to you as well. I hope you had a wonderful day.
Big hugs to you, too, Celistine. I'm expecting 7 for dinner, also all family.
As for the seasonal perky types, I used to be one. But I lost my mom a few days before Christmas 23 years ago (after my father dying the previous February) and it hasn't really been the same since. I've had anxiety and depression my whole life, but my first "real" break (to where I couldn't function) was several years after my parents' deaths. Hence, holidays are hard for me to this day - some years are worse than others.
Sometimes I feel like a child with her nose pressed against the glass wishing she could be part of the festivities, but not knowing how to break through. I have lots of supportive friends and family, but keep the emotional stuff to myself for the most part - I don't want to ruin their holiday times. Just goes to show you CAN be lonely in a crowd...
As for the seasonal perky types, I used to be one. But I lost my mom a few days before Christmas 23 years ago (after my father dying the previous February) and it hasn't really been the same since. I've had anxiety and depression my whole life, but my first "real" break (to where I couldn't function) was several years after my parents' deaths. Hence, holidays are hard for me to this day - some years are worse than others.
Sometimes I feel like a child with her nose pressed against the glass wishing she could be part of the festivities, but not knowing how to break through. I have lots of supportive friends and family, but keep the emotional stuff to myself for the most part - I don't want to ruin their holiday times. Just goes to show you CAN be lonely in a crowd...
I really feel for you. My anxiety has been really ramped up this morning, so much so that I took .25mg of my Klonopin at 9am. Much like sierrasong's Xanax for breakfast.
Egad. I'm 52 and there are only five expected for dinner - all family. I hate to generalize, but I think this "season" through Christmas is just stressful. Then when one has others things like anxiety/depression etc., it just ices an already dreadful cake. Don't you just admire those perky seasonal people:)
Will be thinking of you. Wishing everyone a good day.
Egad. I'm 52 and there are only five expected for dinner - all family. I hate to generalize, but I think this "season" through Christmas is just stressful. Then when one has others things like anxiety/depression etc., it just ices an already dreadful cake. Don't you just admire those perky seasonal people:)
Will be thinking of you. Wishing everyone a good day.
Thanksgiving morning. Anxious and depressed and so much to do before the family gets here. My "safe" person is out of town and I worry so much about something happening to me and there being no one to help. I love being alone when I know there is/are people I can count on, but with them gone...well, it's so hard for me. It's such a conundrum - I like being alone, but sometimes it terrifies me. I hope I'm make sense here!
Rationally, I know this is stupid (I'm being kind of hard on myself, I know). Woke up with the fluttering stomach anxiety that makes you just want to keep sleeping to avoid facing it.
My doc has told me to start up the Xanax when this happens (I'm not like this all the time!) so I have - Xanax for breakfast! I've had a really difficult year with regards to dental issues (6 crowns and two root canals) and I seem to have some kind of sores that get worse when I'm stressed. Dental work is one of my big phobias because I had a dentist that didn't use novacaine as a child - he just had his assistant hold you down (in the 50's this was more common than you might think). As a result, I am absolutely terrified of the dentist. My mouth and gums are sore and I have jaw pain and I'm really frightened since no dentist is open until Monday.
I think I'll just keep posting even if everyone is too busy to read (I certainly understand that - it's a big day!). I kind of helps to get it out. I don't want to burden my family and friends on such a special holiday.
Hope your holiday is terrific, whomever and wherever you are!
Rationally, I know this is stupid (I'm being kind of hard on myself, I know). Woke up with the fluttering stomach anxiety that makes you just want to keep sleeping to avoid facing it.
My doc has told me to start up the Xanax when this happens (I'm not like this all the time!) so I have - Xanax for breakfast! I've had a really difficult year with regards to dental issues (6 crowns and two root canals) and I seem to have some kind of sores that get worse when I'm stressed. Dental work is one of my big phobias because I had a dentist that didn't use novacaine as a child - he just had his assistant hold you down (in the 50's this was more common than you might think). As a result, I am absolutely terrified of the dentist. My mouth and gums are sore and I have jaw pain and I'm really frightened since no dentist is open until Monday.
I think I'll just keep posting even if everyone is too busy to read (I certainly understand that - it's a big day!). I kind of helps to get it out. I don't want to burden my family and friends on such a special holiday.
Hope your holiday is terrific, whomever and wherever you are!
Actually having negative feelings at holidays or family conflicts is very common even among people who don't have a psychiatric disability. I always found certain holidays very stressful because of family conflicts and the emotional stress as well. Best to pace yourself, set up time outs when you feel emotionally overwhelmed and be honest with yourself as regards your own feelings even if you don't feel comfortable sharing them witht other family members. I'm sure many people experience the same thing here so don't feel it will make anyone else feel down as its quite common and sharing coping solutions is essential as well.
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