Holiday Expectations vs Reality.

It is the holiday weekend....

Thanksgiving dinners have been devoured.

Black Friday sales racks have been scoured.

Are you feeling depleted, wary or empowered?

It's true that the holiday season is now fully upon us, and with that comes the many Christmas-y commercials and songs of loving families gathered together in joyous harmony. Culture paints an image of the holidays that is hard to measure up to in real life.

The holidays can be challenging for the best of us. But what about those with mental illness?

Struggling with trauma or depression can feel isolating in its own right. Add in the externally-imposed expectations for acting "merry and bright" 24/7 and you create a situation wherein the very people who need the most understanding begin to berate themselves for failing to measure up. When someone battling with mental illness finds he or she can't conjure up the excitement and energy to spend time with others in the manner that supposedly befits the holidays, he or she is likely to feel guilty for struggling with a diagnosis and may even shy away more from seeking help or treatment.

Can you imagine a person with type I diabetes or cancer feeling guilty about their physical state? Physical conditions receive a level of validation and understanding that mental disorders do not. The pressure that surround the holidays has the potential for exacerbating this disparity, and the one working through a mental health condition can turn into his or her own harshest critic.

To those struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, disordered eating, substance abuse... know that you are not alone. Emotional pain is the body's signal to you to get help. Rather than dismissing, ignoring, or chiding yourself for experiencing anything less than "holly jolly," honor your body and yourself and reach out for help.

First, help yourself. Give yourself permission to take it easy this holiday season. Let someone else host the holiay party. Use an email service to send out cards if needed. Schedule down time for yourself between events to let yourself recharge.

Second, reach out. Connect with someone you trust, in person or online. A short pep talk before an event or a 'debriefing' after family gatherings can help keep your thoughts in check so that you don't become your own biggest bully.

Want to find a professional in your area? We are building a database to help individuals connect with well-reviewed mental health professionals. The project is a large undertaking, but it is worth the effort to help others find trustworthy professionals and/or treatment centers. If you would like to learn more about this project or if you are a licensed mental health practitioner, please send us an email.

For now, we can support and redirect you to the following database (eating disorder specific) via recoverywarriors.com

In health,

Malibu Vista Experience