Holidays bring additional stress in time of COVID

Holiday Spirit

Over the last year and a half, much has been written and discussed about the influence COVID has had on our mental health. In fact, so much has been written and discussed that we are all tired of hearing and thinking about COVID. And as much as it pains me to say it, the pandemic is not yet over. There is another surge in Europe and it is just a matter of time before we experience our own winter surge, though we are a little safer this year, of course, because we are vaccinated.

But it is not over. And there is one part of COVID that none of us can ignore and that is the increased rates of anxiety and depression associated with this illness. And there have also been significant increases in substance abuse, from alcohol to opiates. In fact, a recent report suggests that more than 100,000 Americans died from overdose between April 2020 and April 2021, which is more than the combined number of deaths from car accidents and gun violence.

Mental health and substance abuse become more of a concern as we enter the holiday season. Whether it is self-induced or imposed upon us from others, we will all feel more stress over the next month or so. Increased pressure at work, additional demands on our schedules, and busier stores can leave us feeling overwhelmed and on edge.

Each year, I encourage people to avoid unnecessary (and unwanted) obligations. And this year, this advice is more important than ever. Last year, one source of distress was our inability to see each other and to follow our normal holiday traditions. We were strongly advised not to travel and to avoid congregating in large crowds, especially indoors. This year, I suspect the distress is more likely to come from two other sources.

First, many of us are going to have the urge to do more than we should. In an attempt to make up for missing out on get-togethers last year, many people may feel compelled to do as much as possible, even if it means overdoing it. They may accept every invitation, even to gatherings they may not really want to attend. They may attempt to host their own gatherings, inviting everyone in their contact list.

While it is easy to understand this temptation, it is important to remember that overdoing it recently caused us many more problems. Though it seems so long ago, the delta variant caused a surge in infection rates. The surge occurred just after the Fourth of July holiday, when many people decided to return to typical celebrations. While increased vaccinations have helped us get some control over the delta variant, the concern now is the winter surge, as many viruses are spread when the temperature drops.

The second possible source of distress is the urge to remain secluded and isolated. The lingering fear of infection may cause many to remain apart from others. They will decline opportunities to see family and friends, even in the presence of precautionary steps.

Again, it is easy to understand such a concern, especially for those who have been directly affected by the disease. Even though the fear is justified, isolation is not the answer. Research has clearly demonstrated that isolation and loneliness is associated with depression and substance abuse. We are not meant to be alone, so we must find a way to overcome our fears and venture out to be with others.

The holidays can be a wonderfully joyous time of year. But for some, especially in the time of COVID, the holidays can exacerbate fear and distress, thereby increasing one’s risk for depression and anxiety. If you are experiencing these issues, contact a mental health professional and seek support. These issues can be resolved so that you can find a way to enjoy the holidays. Though you may never be Buddy the Elf, you don’t have to be Ebenezer Scrooge. Happy Holidays.

Dr. Berney, a licensed psychologist with Psychological Associates of Central Florida in Lakeland, is a national speaker and the co-author of "Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Healthy Child." Listen to Dr. Berney's podcast, "The Mental Breakdown,” on iTunes and YouTube. You can submit questions or topics to Dr. Berney by email at drberney@pacflorida.com.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Substance abuse has increased in last year