Time of year when stress and anxiety can increase.
Despite countless wishes for “happy holidays” this holiday season, some people just might not feel merry or jolly or happy.
Maybe economic pressures have created anxiety: so many gifts to buy with limited funds during tough economic times. Maybe it's dreading the family gatherings challenged by tension and dysfunction. If a loved one died or left, the holidays will have an emptiness that can be heart wrenching, leaving a person feeling isolated and alone.
Stuart Anfang “While many people enjoy the holidays, a lot of people find stress can increase anxiety and depression around the holidays,” said Dr. Stuart Anfang, medical director of adult outpatient psychiatry at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. “It’s complicated for people.”
To help cope with the holidays, some people seek the help of mental health professionals, but with an increased demand for services at this time and therapists’ own time off to celebrate the holidays, it might be difficult to get an appointment.
“People should not suffer in silence,” Anfang said, encouraging those who feel the need for help to persist in finding it. “Treatment works and treatment helps.”
There is a relative undersupply of psychiatrists, mental health providers and therapists that could be caused by economics, he suggested, pointing to insurance coverage limits and regulations. “The mental health service system has been the step child of the health care system,” he said.
Effects of changes in the health care system, and how they will play out on mental health care remain to be seen, he added.
Baxter Chandler Finding a mental health professional to get help can be frustrating, acknowledged C. Baxter Chandler, director of behavioral health services at Holyoke Medical Center.
He suggested enlisting the help of one’s health insurer to get more referrals; some even help with making calls. “Make your insurance work for you,” he said.
There are often different stresses, and different levels of need, for mental health services during the holidays.
“The issue is how much impairment is it causing you?” Anfang said.
How much does this impairment interfere in daily life? Is sleep difficult? Do you experience a lot of tearfulness or irritability? Do you have suicidal thoughts? Are you losing weight or staying in bed all day?
If you feel distraught or desperate or have thoughts of hurting yourself, call a crisis hotline, or get to a crisis center or emergency room, he said.
If the distress is not acute, see your primary care physician who can make an assessment, give direction and guidance and prescribe needed medication.
Chandler recommends getting on a waiting list if needed, and being persistent and also flexible with both mental health appointment times, and the gender of the therapist to expedite treatment. Some employers might be amenable to letting an employee come in to work late, or get out early for “medical reasons,” he said. “Counseling is necessary treatment.”
Less intense difficulties can be addressed while waiting for the appointment with the mental health provider.
Anfang suggests finding books or Internet resources, but cautions they be reliable, like those of professional mental health organizations that post educational materials to help explain psychiatric symptoms, and offer coping strategies.
“They let people know they are not alone, and give people hope and perspective,” he said.
One major stressor at holiday time is grief over the loss of a loved one. Many agencies offer bereavement support groups that offer special help before the holidays.
“Planning for the approaching holidays is the first step in developing your coping strategy. There is really no one right way to deal with the holidays, but you can begin by making decisions that are comfortable for you and your family,” said Marlene Quinlan, oncology social worker, Baystate Regional Cancer Program.
“Holiday preparations, traditions and family time may all feel less than normal. It is important to remember that your emotions and energy level are strongly connected. So, get plenty of rest and pay attention to healthy eating. Plan self-care activities that will feed your mind, body and spirit.”
Some people appreciate journaling as a way to cope with stress even in the absence of a therapist. “This is a way of disclosing your thoughts and feelings, both positive and negative. Devoting 20 minutes a day for several days of the week to this activity can help you process your emotions and counteracts the effects of stress,” Quinlan said.
Whatever the issue is, Chandler said, “When we get help, we can recover faster.”
While Holyoke Medical Center does not offer a crisis line, Chandler said the center does have a tool for individuals to take an anonymous, on-line mental health screening, for such conditions as depression, post traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder. Feedback is given for informational, rather than diagnostic purposes, and referral information is also given, depending on results. Go to center's website, www.holyokehealth.com, for access, click on "Learn More," and then, under "Health Tools," click "Mental Health Screening.
Area 24-hour crisis services include:
Behavioral Health Network (BHN) (413) 733-6661 Agawam, Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Holyoke, Longmeadow, Ludlow, South Hadley, Southampton, Springfield, Westfield, West Springfield,.
Community Support Options (CSO): (413) 586-5555 Amherst, Easthampton, Florence, Hadley, Northampton, Westhampton, Williamsburg,
Also, Govenor’s Center, 66 Broad St. in Westfield, is hosting a free “Managing Holiday Stress” program on Dec. 5 at 9 a.m. The presentation will allow participants to learn useful tips to help let go of stress and re-connect with the joys of the holidays.
Refreshments will be served. Space is limited. To reserve a seat, call (413) 562-5464 by Dec. 2.
Govenor’s Center is a skilled nursing facility that provides post-acute services, rehabilitative services, skilled nursing, short and long term care. Hospice Services of Western Massachusetts is a community-based hospice providing quality end-of-life care for patients residing in Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire, Franklin, and western Worcester counties.