Coping With the Holidays
Hi PD community 💜
There are a lot of things that can make the holiday season especially difficult for people with personality disorders.
- Being around difficult friends or family members
- Being forced to interact with people or places that you’re normally able to avoid
- Loneliness if you don’t have people to spend the holidays with
- Jealousy at seeing other people seeming to enjoy the holidays while you aren’t
- Expectations of appearing happy or cheerful even if you’re not feeling that way
- Feeling stressed from having so many things to do
- Struggling with triggering songs, scents, rituals, or situations
Here are some things to keep in mind:
-
It’s okay to feel whatever you are feeling
- It’s okay to not feel “jolly” or “merry” during the holidays
- It’s okay to need time to recover or care for yourself, and it can help a lot to do anything you've found to work for staying healthy or relaxing
- It’s okay to set boundaries and prioritize your mental health (e.g. not spending time with someone who has seriously harmed you)
- It’s okay to celebrate the holidays in your own way and find your own meaning or enjoyment from it
- It’s okay to reach out for support
Please feel free to use this space to share experiences or receive support for any issues related to the holidays. 💜
Sources:
https://www.talkspace.com/blog/emotional-triggers-holidays/
https://www.clearviewwomenscenter.com/blog/how-to-manage-bpd-triggers-during-the-holiday-season/
https://themighty.com/2018/12/how-to-cope-with-borderline-personality-disorder-bpd-holiday-season/
https://www.samhsa.gov/homelessness-programs-resources/hpr-resources/recognizing-holiday-triggers
Agreed that the holiday season can be really difficult for those with PDs for all the reasons above. Some great encouragement @QuietMagic ! there is so much pressure to have a 'merry' Christmas but that looks different to everyone and it's okay to just be and take the holidays at your own pace <3
@QuietMagic
Thanks so much for making the post! I totally get it, these times can be tough.
It can be associated with negative memories, and can be quite overwhelming at times for me. People expect happiness about the holidays, always, but it can be difficult at times!
@QuietMagic
Nice thread. It really gives people a chance to not feel ashamed or reluctant about how they are feeling and will prompt them to come forward and ask for help. Thank you for all your effort to help and include everyone on these holidays.
Have good holidays everyone and if it's not good don't feel bad to reach out/
@QuietMagic
Wonderful post; I have learned so much since coming to 7 Cups. I enjoy reading these informative fact sheets that you have put together. It helps me recognize that some people just might be experiencing exactly what is stated in your post. Thank you so much for this useful and data-filled sheet.
@xandia
Thank you, glad it felt helpful!
I was looking through your profile and just wanted to say I really appreciate everything you're doing to help people with medical issues. It makes a difference, and I imagine especially in the past couple years it isn't the easiest thing to do.
@QuietMagic
I don't mind the holidays. I know some people are very religious and I use this time to recuperate between semesters in school, but I graduated this summer. so it's going to be new to celebrate a Christmas where I don't have exams or extra school. :)