Holidays can be a really tough time for people who don't have mental health challenges, much less those who do. In fact, the holidays themselves often bring about trauma for many people.
Christmas in particular is one of the toughest holidays for some to soldier through (pun sort of intended). Perhaps because it's a holiday where expected family interaction is coupled with presents, unlike Thanksgiving. Whatever the reason, Christmas can actually usher in a reexperience of pain for people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
These individuals might feel like Ebeneezer Scrooge instead of Santa's Little Helper. Holidays can reinforce the feeling of being "outside and looking in," like you're watching a movie filled with happy, smiling people while you're stomach is twisted into knots as past events swirl around in your head instead of visions of sugar plums.
Of course, this further isolates the trauma survivor. A typical reaction of family or friends who don't "get" trauma might be, "What's wrong with you?" Even worse, trauma survivors might not even be able to verbalize what's wrong with them. Instead, they feel humiliated and wish they hadn't shown up at the holiday event or party.
For those of you who have family members in your life (or characters!) who have PTSD, be cognizant of how you offer to include them, as well as sensitive to even subtle cues from the person that they aren't comfortable. Survivors may need to create new rituals to help in their healing, and it's important for people in their life to support this by being open to change as needed.
Let's analyze: What have been your traumatic experiences over the holidays, either your own or someone you know? What helped to overcome those feelings?
Logging you in...
jimdens 19p · 692 weeks ago
I suffered from PTSD for five years after the holiday season of 1990 - I was pregnant with twin boys that I miscarried the day before Thanksgiving, (at six months along), then my grandmother died two days before Christmas. For years I dreaded the holidays and avoided all social circumstances I could. Then, thankfully, God sent my angel, in February 1996, the man who would become my second husband and he helped me realize that I didn't need to keep on carrying that pain with me every year. I'm happy to say that we'll have been married 15 years on the 28th, and I look forward to the holidays with him and our two sons every year now.
Thanks for a great post!
JMMerchant 32p · 692 weeks ago
Since I was 18 Christmas has become associated with loneliness. For a number of years this was due to the recent or impending breakdown of a relationship, the last five years it's been the long running singledom when you're surrounded by so many happy and festive couple.
Hardly PTSD, but still learning to put it aside.
@MariePulliam · 692 weeks ago
The holidays were much tougher after I lost my second, and then third husbands through unexpected and untimely deaths. However, faith and family kept the damage at a minimum, and I am happily married (for the last time). I look forward to every day, not just the holidays.
My thoughts and prayers go out to those still dealing with PTSD, such as our returning soldiers. May they find peace.
Thank you for the insightful post, Jeannie.