Managing Holiday Stress With Your Child
Holiday Anxiety and Behavioral Health in Kids
The most common issues affecting children, adolescents and teens during the holiday season are depression, anxiety and behavioral disorders. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the highest rate for child psychiatric hospitalizations occurs during the winter. There’s also an increase in suicidal thoughts among teens throughout the holiday season, often due to family stressors.
Common anxiety in kids around the holidays may manifest into irritability, headaches, gastrointestinal problems and physical ailments. Parents and other caregivers may notice the child or teen becoming more agitated or emotional as the holidays approach. Even before Thanksgiving kicks off, many psychiatric providers and other therapists can offer comprehensive assessments and care plans tailored to meet the specialized needs of young patients.
Why are the holidays so stressful?
Common reasons for families and children to experience increased seasonal anxiety and behavioral disorders may include:
- Lack of a consistent schedule
- Childcare issues
- Financial hardship
- Substance use
- VIolence or abuse at home
- COVID, flu or other illness
- Thoughts of returning to school
- Seasonal winter depression (dark, cold climates)
Mental health disorders and seasonal depression typically worsen from Thanksgiving through the New Year, says NAMI. These factors can be overwhelming to parents and other members of the family too.
Coping skills for seasonal stress and holiday depression
It pays for parents and other caregivers to be especially mindful of managing their own anxiety during this time of year. As a role model to a stressed-out kid, parents can try to demonstrate calmness and support all year long. Parents, teachers and therapists can introduce children to healthier coping skills (like meditation or music therapy) and the positive self-talk that may help manage their seasonal anxiety.
Fortunately, many people still celebrate the stimulation and festivities of the holiday season. And some may enjoy the chance to see family and socialize, shop and exchange gifts in the flurry of seasonal activities. But that’s not the case for everybody. Americans of all ages still struggle with loneliness, sadness and depression during this time of year.
Holiday stress for adolescent and teen mental health
Medical experts may agree there are levels of stress that accompany the holidays for many Americans. Both adults and kids can be overcome with anxiety as they register levels of holiday stress, and they may need extra emotional support. There are actually millions of people who are counting the days until the holidays are over, and kids have a much harder time communicating their fears and expectations.
Adolescents and teens don’t necessarily recognize the importance of incorporating natural wellness tools into their lifestyles – like a healthy diet and consistent exercise – to help prevent or sidestep any mood swings. It’s up to parents, teachers, doctors and other trained professionals to deeply understand each child and their mental health challenges during the holidays.
If the student’s anxiety becomes overwhelming or interferes with their daily life, consider seeking professional counseling. They may be struggling with low self-esteem, troubled relationships or poor school performance. Professional treatment may involve medications and behavioral interventions. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in outcomes for patients under age 18.
Psychiatrists and other mental health providers are available to support and help your child build the skills they need to help manage anxiety and other behavioral health problems, including:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Depressed or manic behavior
- Oppositional defiance disorder
- Panic disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Conduct disorders (antisocial behavior)
- Substance use disorder
Horizon Health has a nationwide network of over 100,000 psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, behavioral health directors, managers and psychiatric nurses who serve children under the age of 18. Consulting teams will partner with you to ensure the patients you serve in these communities receive the highest standard of quality care.
Horizon Health financial resources for mental health programming
If your hospital doesn’t require full management support of your programs now but you recognize specific gaps in care, Horizon Health can help. With over 40 years of experience, we understand that the small details that may be consistently missed can also become much bigger concerns for your patients, hospital staff and even the surrounding communities.
Our financial teams can help evaluate financial and operational data to devise current and potential strategies to strengthen your hospital’s standing. Our leadership experience includes healthcare professionals with clinical, operational and financial data analytics who are ready to serve your hospital’s behavioral health needs.
Schedule an appointment
Call 800-727-2407 or complete the online interest form to learn about Horizon Health’s behavioral health services during the holidays, and beyond. We help create and implement new programming and also help upgrade the mental health services your hospital already offers. Along with architectural and staffing partners, Horizon Health can also help you plan and budget for new or renovated spaces within your facility.