It’s a Party and They’ll
Cry If They Want To; How Anxiety & Depression Can Steal
the Holiday Spirit
| WHO: |
Franklin Schneier, MD, Anxiety Disorders Clinic
Patrick McGrath, MD, Depression Evaluation Service |
| WHAT: |
Holidays Are Increased Source of Stress for Anxiety & Depression
Sufferers |
| WHERE: |
The New York State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia University Med.
Ctr.
1051 Riverside Drive @ W. 165th St. |
Thanksgiving has come and gone and quicker than you can say “turkey
drunk” we start to obsess about Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
That may mean a laundry list of chores to do and holiday preparations
to wrap up in time for family visits, parties with friends or trips out
of town. For some that’s what the holiday season is about and it’s
a challenge that they look forward to. For others, the stress is unbearable.
The season and its emphasis on getting together with family and friends
is only a strong and painful reminder of their own loss or separations.
“Holiday stress can aggravate pre-existing mood disorders like depression,”
said depression expert Dr. Patrick McGrath. “It may be a good time
to recognize and get help for an ongoing problem that is only exacerbated
by the holidays.”
But it’s not only people with depression who may see their symptoms
worsening nearing the end of the year. People who get anxious in social
situations suffer as well. They may drink excessively to mask their extreme
distress and alcohol consumption may start long before they make it to
the office holiday party.
“While alcohol in moderation can act as a social lubricant,”
said Dr. Franklin Schneier, an expert in social anxiety “it can
be problematic for people who have difficulty coping in social situations.
What seems to be a quick solution can easily spiral out of control.”
Besides being a poor substitute for real treatment of your anxiety or
depression, one drink quickly leads to several and being a loud and sloppy
drunk is no way to make a favorable impression on other party-goers.
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