FOR many of us, getting back to reality after almost
two weeks of celebrating, socialising and over-indulging brings on a dose of
the January blues.
Most can cope with a few days of readjusting to daily
routines, but for literally thousands of people throughout Dublin the
post-Christmas comedown is a source of serious depression and suicidal
thoughts.
Almost everyone has a romantic, idealised version of
Christmas, which has been partly moulded by childhood experiences and further
driven by modern festive commercialism.
We’ve grown to expect and look forward to a Christmas
filled with good cheer and surrounded by loved ones. But the reality is often
very different.
“The problem is that so many people set themselves up
for a fall by having unrealistic expectations of Christmas,
? explained Sabrina
Ginesi, psychotherapist with Living in Reality (LIR) psychological services on
the Ballymun Road.
“They build themselves up and when the experience is
not what they imagined then they are filled with disappointment, anger,
frustration and isolation.
“People want to experience a little piece of the
childhood fantasy of Christmas that they had when they were a kid and that
fantasy is soon quashed.
“They are left feeling broken and with a sense of
failure.
?
The LIR low cost therapy service reopened after
Christmas last week and was immediately dealing with doctor referrals from
patients who were struggling to cope emotionally.
“Everything is magnified at Christmas because there’s
such an emphasis placed on the time and on family,
? Ms Ginesi continued.
“People can’t deal with the anti-climax.
?
Fellow psychotherapist Martin Boyle, who has 20 years’
experience in the field, explained how the problem arises when people invest
too much, both financially and emotionally, into the Christmas period.
“The sudden gap between reality and the fantasy of
Christmas is too much to bear for some people,
? he told Northside People.
“A lot of people go sick from work; they don’t want to
get up in the morning and think of themselves as a failure for not having the
picture-perfect Christmas.
“People go through this pain rather than looking for
help.
?
There are a number of other ingredients that can
contribute to the January blues, such as additional debts and financial
pressure, particularly for those out of work or struggling with the long gap
between the pre-Christmas and end of January pay days.
Also the stress of over-spending and intensified time
with relatives over the holiday period can often bring family issues and
conflicts to the fore. Poor diet, increased alcohol consumption and decreased
exercise can also add to poor mental health.
The HSE says that for many people Christmas is a
lonely time and the added pressure of the current economic climate can place
more pressure than usual on people and their families.
“Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of
the year,
? said Catherine Brogan, acting director of the HSE’s National Office
for Suicide Prevention.
“The expense of buying gifts, the pressure of last
minute shopping and the heightened expectations of family gatherings can all
combine to add to people’s stress.
?
Thankfully, awareness of taking care of mental health
is on the increase, making it more likely that those suffering from
post-Christmas stress will talk about their problems and seek professional
help.
A number of low-cost therapy and counselling centres
such as LIR in Ballymun have sprung up across the city in recent years. And
demand for services is on the increase according to Village Counselling Service
in Tallaght, which reported a record 665 new clients during 2011 compared to
375 in 2009.
The five most common problems reported by clients were
depression (17 per cent), bereavement (11 per cent), anxiety (11 per cent),
family difficulties (10 per cent) and relationship difficulties (10 per cent).
Clients were also treated for anger, addiction, panic
attacks and low self esteem. And with economic pressures showing no sign of
abating in 2012, more people are expected to need affordable therapy for a wide
range of issues this year.
?¢ For more information on LIR psychological services,
contact 01-8425964 or email info@lirtherapy.ie. The Samaritans also offers a
24-hour helpline (1850-609090) for those in need of emotional support.