2023-12-26 15:22:55
Race for gifts, psychedelic illuminations, endless dinners… The end of year celebrations sometimes take on the appearance of nightmares. While some people look forward to the December festivities, others dread them. This irrational fear of facing the Christmas and/or New Year holidays has a name: natalophobia.
What exactly is natalophobia?
Natalophobia (literally: Christmas phobia) is considered to be an anxiety disorder. It designates both the anxiety, the feeling of unease, depression, even the sadness that we can feel as the end of year holidays approach.
Just like any phobia, it crystallizes on a situation, a specific object or a specific place. For example: a Christmas tree, traditional Christmas carols, Santa Claus, Christmas lights, etc.
A person suffering from natalophobia is likely to feel:
irritability, stress, anxiety, digestive disorders, etc.
Why are some people afraid to celebrate Christmas?
As winter approaches, seasonal depression is already taking a toll on the morale of some people. But other factors explain the psychological distress and anticipatory anxietycharacteristics of natalophobia:
fear of loneliness, financial difficulties, fear of family conflicts, memories of bereavement, or any other traumatic event associated with this period.
Some also fear social conventions and the pressure imposed during family reunions. “So, love affairs, children, work?” Those who have made the choice to remain single or not to have children may feel uncomfortable at the idea of suffer judgments, for not being in the family mold.
Christmas phobia: what solutions to remedy it?
Dare to assert that thewe don’t like Christmas maybe a source of guilt. The first reflex is to identify the cause of the discomfort. The help of a psychologist or psychiatrist can be invaluable in learning how to manage anxiety attacks. Objective ? Anticipate and prepare as best as possible for Christmas, but also take stock and regain self-confidence.
Some tips for supporting the end-of-year holidays with peace of mind:
release the pressure and lower your expectations : you can’t control everything, too bad if the evening goes badly;put your resentments asidefor the duration of an evening;monitor your alcohol consumptionto avoid any overflow; keep in mind that the best gift is not necessarily the most expensive.
It is important to respect your limits
There is no shame in feeling uncomfortable or anxious during this time. Above all, respect your limits: don’t force yourself to do things you don’t like, or say things you don’t mean.
If something bothers you, do not hesitate to talk regarding it calmly to your loved ones, then find compromises.
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