Ribeirao Preto
“Many people think that because I am a yoga teacher, I am always zen and no longer afraid,” says 30yearold communicator Michelle Palermi. She was diagnosed with the disorder five years ago and has managed to control her condition through exercise and writing. , but still feels like the December arrival could be a trigger for her.
“Personally, it is important to me that the year ends well, that everything goes as planned and that I can achieve the goals that I set for myself over the course of the year,” she says. This strange feeling noted by the instructor is often referred to by experts as “yearend syndrome,” a group of symptoms that can manifest as excessive anxiety, stress or melancholy during this time.
Although it is not included in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) within the framework of mental disorders, it is approved in psychiatry and psychology to describe and advise on complaints that patients bring to the practice at this time of year.
Several factors can trigger the problem, such as achieving unmet goals, increased expenses and even the proximity of family obligations and parties.
“Holiday syndrome is not an officially recognized diagnosis, but rather a term that describes a range of symptoms related to anxiety and stress that some people experience during the holidays. These symptoms can include irritability, insomnia, excessive worry, difficulty concentrating and changes in appetite, among other things,” says psychologist Claudia Melo, specialist in children, adolescents and addictions.
Melo states that it is not normal to constantly feel fear, pain and worry and that it is necessary to seek professional help from a psychologist or psychiatrist when the symptoms begin to significantly affect the affected person’s quality of life .
Roberta França, geriatrician and psychiatrist, is a member of the Elderly Rights Commission (OAB/RJ), the Brazilian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology and the Brazilian Society of Geriatric Neuropsychiatry and says that the problem can particularly affect older people.
“Yearend syndrome is recognized in psychiatry and is very common in geriatric practices. It is characterized by a feeling of fear, sorrow and sadness over the end of the year celebrations, both Christmas and New Year,” says the psychiatrist.
França emphasizes that there is currently a lot of social pressure on people to be happy, but that too much can be bad. “Also because building affection has to happen throughout the entire process. So many families have arguments, with a series of difficulties, losses, and then, suddenly, because it has become the key to December, everyone has to forget everything.” “It’s really hard to get along,” he reflects.
Another problem is the lack of dialogue about mental health. “People often stop asking for help because they think that they are somehow bothering them and are incompatible with the moment,” says the doctor.
Larissa Fonseca, clinical therapist and member of the Brazilian Society of Psychology (SBP) and the Brazilian Sleep Association (ABS), says that in these cases it is necessary to assess what suffering is present and how much of it is related to the patient’s arrival at the end of the year .
“Anxiety can be associated with a different feeling for each person. There are people who may suffer from the need to socialize and meet other people. Others have lost many loved ones and Christmas brings back those memories. “It can also be like that,” combined with a feeling of inability to achieve certain goals,” he emphasizes.
Fonseca adds that many of these pains need to be addressed in psychotherapy in order to be overcome. Those already suffering from mental disorders may experience crises due to worsening mental health problems.
“Symptoms can include behavioral changes and can also include difficulty concentrating and memory problems. Anxiety can manifest itself physically, such as headaches, heart palpitations, skin allergies and ultimately affect the person’s daily life,” he emphasizes Fonseca.
Chronic or general anxiety also affects sleep quality and nutritional problems, causing the person to eat too much or too little (or affect the quality of food), disrupting the distribution of physical and mental energy in the body. “We can take risks related to harmful behaviors such as substance abuse, such as alcohol and drugs, if we try to deal with this emotional torment in a negative way and commit excesses,” says Fonseca.
Ignoring the problem solves even less and can lead to physiological comorbidities such as gastrointestinal and heart disease (including risk of heart attack) and deterioration of the immune system.
To handle that much pressure, it’s a good idea to look for vent valves in addition to therapy. “Fear doesn’t go away, but we learn to deal with it. Yoga makes me aware of what I feel. One of the exercises that helps me the most is breathing,” says instructor Palermi.
Melo reminds us that regular physical exercise like walking, running, or any other activity that brings joy can help release endorphins and reduce stress levels. “Leisure is also important, take time for relaxing activities like dancing, listening to music, swimming,” says Melo
Fonseca recommends making lists and putting your ideas on paper. “And be able to be as realistic as possible. Because often we say, ‘I’m going to do physical activity every day,’ and that’s not a real possibility. “And if we list the good and positive things that we have experienced and that we can maintain throughout the weeks of the year?” he says.
França affirms that having a support network to talk, read and walk outside, away from malls, also helps deal with feelings that should never be minimized. “No one is obliged to be happy all the time, at all times of the year.”
As part of the Todas initiative, the Sheet gives women a free digital subscription for two months