Christmas anxiety and low mood.

This time of year can be the worst for us anxiety and low mood sufferers. Between the long dark,cold,damp miserable days to lower our mood,we then face Christmas with all the challenges that brings for anxiety sufferers.

The added stress that Christmas brings,wether that be lonliness or looking after family,buying presents,money worries etc all brings extra anxiety to our already anxious minds, especially if you're in the first few months of antidepressant treatment when everything is made worse anyway.

The pressure to be normal and show a happy face because it's a festive period just ramps up the pressure more and more. Because our illness is "all in the mind", people can think we can just switch to being jolly and happy and don't be a killjoy. Because it's Christmas. The reality is is that we often feel worse.

If you had a physical injury or illness like two broken legs sitting in a wheelchair,no-one would expect you to get up and dance in the Christmas party. If you had just been diagnosed with cancer or heart disease,no-one would expect to see you laughing and joking at the same party. So why should we pretend there's nothing wrong.

It's more important now then at any other time of the year to look after your mental well-being. Don't be forced or fall into the trap of eating really bad foods like chocolates and biscuits, overeating rich foods, drinking alcohol which is a depressant and makes anxiety worse, especially in the beginning of taking antidepressants,and sitting around watching too much rubbish tele. Try to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables,lots of water and go for a nice walk by yourself or with family to the park,anywhere outside rather than inside,and be kind to yourself and let others realise you need a peaceful Christmas to recover,not a merry one!

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