Christmas anxiety

[Jittery]

Every Christmas the same thing happens to me, overwhelmed by anxiety. The need to socialise at this time of year make me crawl into a ball and cancel all plans. Shaking head to toe, I skipped Xmas day, struggled through Boxing Day at my place with the family and now I can’t function at all... stuck in bed with fatigue, headache, jitters, mind racing...does anyone else’s anxiety levels hit the roof at Christmas and what do you do to get back on your feet?

[IsaJett]

Hi jittery

yeah I dislike Christmas ..people generally don’t get it ..I hate it ..I acted real weird over Christmas ..even my boyfriend said have u been drinking ? Hahah I’m like no ..I just feel sick to the tummy even days leading up ..this year I had to buy 6 presents ...thank god ..it all went ok ...the pressure ..omg ..no one cares . I told my 13 year old son ,,how I just can’t function ..hahaha he understood thank god ...it really is a fuss over a lot of nothing ..it’s overrated ,and everyone is like nice for the one day . It’s actually been liberating for me to say ...look I just don’t do Christmas ...it’s society that forces it into our faces ...but I’m not giving in to that ..hahah I’m over it ..Scrooged or whatever ..my sanity is more important and I couldn’t care if people don’t understand . I just do what I need to do to get through it .. kind of praying Christmas would miraculously just disappear into thin air . Actually birthdays and new year ..also falls in the same category ...what is shocking too is ..my birthday is the 2day of the New Year....hahaha so I’m digging a hole as we speak to barricade myself ...hahaah hunker down ...hahaha

people don’t get it ..I would say to them..I don’t celebrate anything ,they just look at me all weird ...hahaah . They always asking ,,what u doing on your birthday ? I’m like ...hhhmmm. Nothing ? And please no well wishes and no presents. Hahahah

last year and year before ..I literally did nothing ...it was brilliant !!!

I am ok with my sons birthday though and that’s about it.hahah

i somehow lost the topic I think ...hahaha but hey u ain’t alone

[Jittery]

Hey IsaJett,

thanks for replying. I’m so glad I’m not the only one! Yup tummy turning for the past 4 days with no end in sight 😢 what a terrible time of year to have your birthday! I do the exact same- pretend it doesn’t exist

and your right! A huge fuss about nothing! It’s insanity! All this planning and buying and socialising all at once has tipped me over the edge.

I wish I could say I just don’t do Xmas. But my husband gets so upset with me cancelling when I’m feeling down. doesn’t get it and that’s okay but I feel like every time I say I don’t want to do something he gets upset n angry. I keep disappointing him. But what he doesn’t realise is I am more disappointed with myself and have no idea what to do next I feel like I’ve done everything I can possibly try and I have no idea what more help is on offer...I’ve tried it all Dr
Meds
psychologist
psychiatrist
self-help online course
self-help books
counsellor
hypnotherapy
Meditation
muscle relaxation
Writing

I’m at the point where I feel like I can’t help myself and I’m sick of feeling this way.

[IsaJett]

You know this migh sounds like a crazy idea ..how about u just get presents like now ...hahaha and put them in storage ready to go next year ..hahah

can u perhaps enlist your husbands help ?

i know the in laws and all that ...everything just comes at ya...hahah I actually can skip Christmas now because I’m split ..my son who is 13 spends it with dad because he has a big family with kids, I’m seeing a guy who thankfully don’t believe in Christmas either ,.hahah

good luck

[Jittery]

Thanks for the ideas isajett!

I might just start shopping again in the new year!

Its the social aspect that is my main pitfall. Any other time of the year I happily go out for lunch and dinner with the family- but Christmas time is like trauma wrapped in a bow 🎁

[IsaJett]

Do u mean the mingling bit where u have to say hello etc ??

sometimes it helps to pin point it and sniff the real reason behind it ..do some detective work on why ...tell me more ..we sniff it out ,.lol

[IsaJett]

You might just be an introvert where being with people is somewhat draining ,..I’m just guessing

[kanga_brumby]

Jittery I wont bore you with detail of whys and where foes of not liking Christmas. for me it can be neatly summed up with (FAMILY and LIFE). Best deal I ever made staying home having my own holiday. Being able to face friends and rellos all much happier and friendly. By staying out of each others way.

The way we see it if you are going to have a family meal then have one. If your going to have a fight hire a mediator go off some where secluded have it out quietly. fix the problem as a family unit ten have a bloody piss up wit no blood shed and your all friends again my family have forgotten this

Kanga

[Jittery]

Hi Isajet

sorry I crashed out yesterday with an anxiety hangover.

For me it’s like a build up before any event, I overthink in a major way. I catastrophize about the trip (drive 1hr each way) the hot weather, being away from home out of my comfort zone. Being so far from home, people noticing I’m anxious, I can’t just go to my room and escape if I need to, the constant visits to the toilet, lots of people, it’s not so much about who’s in my company and saying hi and mingling it’s about being anxious in the lead up. I tend to get so wound up before the event by my own doing that I end up canceling

jittery

[Jittery]

Hey Kanga

i wish I could just stay home! It’s the expectations of everyone that I need to be present at all functions.. I’m definitely not introvert, I’m pretty outspoken with work and others. Probably more introvert in my relationship- don’t openly communicate as much as I should.

Our families don’t get into battles so all good on that front. See my reply to isajet