For many, the Nov–Jan stretch is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. But for others — especially those living with mental health conditions — it can also bring added stress, anxiety, and emotional strain. At Molina Psychiatric Associates, we treat conditions such as ADHD, depression and mood disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, and social anxiety — often with thoughtful medication management and careful attention to each patient’s feelings. This season, we want to help you understand why the holidays can be particularly challenging, and what to do if you start to feel overwhelmed.

Why the Holidays Can Trigger or Worsen Anxiety and Depression

Increased Stress, Pressure, and Expectations

The holidays often come with social, financial, and emotional demands — from gift shopping and holiday parties to travel, hosting, and family obligations. For many, those pressures are more than just “occasional stress.” According to a national survey, about 30% of adults say the holidays trigger mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or isolation.

Unrealistic societal or self-imposed expectations can create internal conflict. Many people feel pressure to appear merry and carefree — even when internally they may be sad, anxious, or overwhelmed.

For people already managing mental health conditions, this extra load can intensify symptoms. The combination of external stressors and internal vulnerabilities may lead to worse outcomes during the holidays.

Disrupted Routines & Environmental Changes

The holiday season often disrupts daily routines: sleep, work, exercise, meals, self-care. But stability and routine tend to be especially important for people with conditions like ADHD, anxiety disorders, or mood disorders.

Seasonal changes — shorter days, less natural light, colder weather — can also worsen mood and trigger what some call the “holiday blues,” or for some, more severe depression.

For individuals prone to anxiety, social anxiety, PTSD or OCD, holiday environments — crowded gatherings, interpersonal expectations, sensory overload — may activate or exacerbate symptoms.

Emotional Intensity, Grief, Loneliness & Loss

Holidays often stir up memories — good or bad. For those who have lost a loved one or experienced difficult times, this period can resurface grief, regret, or feelings of loneliness.

The contrast between societal messages of festive joy and one’s internal emotional state can deepen feelings of isolation or sadness.

For some, the holidays aren’t joyful due to personal or family dynamics, trauma history, or social anxiety — making gatherings feel stressful or triggering rather than celebratory.

Why This Matters for Conditions Treated at Molina Psychiatric Associates

At Molina Psychiatric Associates, we treat a range of conditions — ADHD, depression/mood disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, social anxiety — many of which can be particularly vulnerable to holiday-season stressors.

• Individuals with ADHD may struggle with disrupted structure and increased demands — which can spike stress or impulsivity.
• Those with anxiety disorders, panic disorder, social anxiety, or OCD may find the social pressures, interpersonal demands, and unpredictable environments especially overwhelming.
• People with depression or mood disorders might experience worsening symptoms due to loneliness, grief, or seasonal mood shifts triggered by less daylight and changing routines.
• For individuals with PTSD, past traumas — especially those tied to holidays, family, or change — can resurface under the strain of the season.

Given that Molina Psychiatric Associates focuses on medication management and personalized care, this season highlights the value of staying connected with your provider and being open about how you feel. Holiday stress doesn’t always look like sadness — it could be irritability, panic, worsening concentration, or increased restlessness. Recognizing that these struggles may be more than “normal holiday moodiness” is a key step toward getting appropriate support.

What You Can Do to Navigate Holiday Stress — Tips from Our Clinic

Here are some practical strategies for patients (and others) to help minimize holiday-related stress and protect mental health:

• Maintain routines where possible. Try to stick with regular sleep, meal, and activity patterns even amidst holiday plans. Structure helps stabilize mood and anxiety — especially for those with ADHD, anxiety disorders, or mood disorders.
• Be realistic with expectations. Holidays don’t have to be perfect. It’s okay to say “no” to events or obligations that feel overwhelming or emotionally taxing.
• Give yourself permission to feel — and share those feelings. If you’re grieving a loss, feeling lonely, or emotionally drained, it doesn’t make you ungrateful or “less festive.” Acknowledging those feelings can relieve some of their pressure.
• Communicate with loved ones about boundaries and needs. Whether it’s talking about financial limits, opting out of certain gatherings, or asking for quiet time — being open can reduce stress and tension.
• Reach out for help when needed. If your symptoms worsen — increased anxiety, panic attacks, deeper depression, insomnia, difficulty concentrating — it may be time to talk to a professional. Medication management or adjustments can help. At Molina Psychiatric Associates, we’re here to listen and help.

A Message from Molina Psychiatric Associates

If the holidays leave you feeling more exhausted, anxious, or emotionally raw than celebratory — know this: you are not alone, and your feelings are valid. Holiday stress can affect anyone — but it may hit harder if you’re already living with ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, or another condition.

At Molina Psychiatric Associates, we believe in listening first. We understand that what helps one person may not work for another — which is why we tailor medication management to each individual’s needs. If this season feels like more than you can handle on your own, please reach out. We’re ready to support you with empathy, respect, and care.

May you find moments of peace, self-compassion, and strength in the weeks ahead.