We see it in our dictionary of phobias, there are irrational fears towards all kinds of objects, situations, animals, people and even sensations. And lately we are hearing about that Christmas phobia that many people feel. But is it really a phobia or is it simple rejection? For the first time we find ourselves halfway between phobia and disgust, but what we cannot deny is the amount of emotional upheaval that Christmas causes.
What is Christmas phobia?
The phobia of Christmas is not a specific phobia, but rather brings together different emotional disorders. All of them are shot at a time that for some is synonymous with joy, peace, love and happiness. We cannot ignore the emotional charge that this time of year entails, a charge that is positive for some and negative for others, and in both cases the leading role is acquired by the intensity with which it is lived.
Family reunions, business dinners, trips, the cold, nostalgia or sadness for those who are not there invade our minds. It also highlights the memory of a childhood that is now far away, gifts, economic difficulties and events of all kinds, which can cause various problems. This amount of emotions generates stress, anxiety and, why not says it, a real phobia of Christmas.
Emotional disorders linked to Christmas
Do you know the Grinch Christmas character? That character represents the phobia of Christmas and in every family there is one, right? Christmas can be a time to live love intensely, but what if that intensity comes loaded with negative emotions?
The social pressure is immense and the Christmas lighting can make you notice the symptoms of anxiety long before Christmas arrives. The same thing happens with all shops decorated ahead of time, with rumors about gifts, to whom, how much… And where to celebrate something you don’t want to celebrate. If we already have anxiety knocking on our door, stress sneaks into our home at the beginning of December to organize everything.
We do not forget the social phobia that can arise before the different events and meetings that are mandatory on these dates. The company dinner will make you want to run away and at lunch with your cousins you will want to take the first flight to the Caribbean to get away from it all.
We can take this humorously, but the truth is that many people see how depression is presented as one of those Christmas gifts. It is, in reality, poisoned gifts for not being able to meet the expectations that society places on us to celebrate these dates.