5 Signs that Your Loved one is Struggling During the Holidays

The holidays can be a trying time in general. There are so many moving parts. Family dinner here, work holiday party there. Did I buy a gift for the neighbor down the road?

It can make even the strongest person highly stressed and anxious. Now, add a global pandemic into the mix. It all adds to the stress of our already hectic lives, making it the perfect recipe for anxiety and depression. Here are 5 signs that your loved one is struggling this holiday season.

1. Is your loved one withdrawn?

One of the biggest signs that someone could be struggling this holiday season is if they become withdrawn. Especially if they are a person who is usually talkative, who responds promptly to messages or calls, and wants to be in the middle of everything. If your loved one has suddenly fallen silent, takes days to respond to messages or calls, or doesn't respond at all, these could be signs that this person is struggling.

2. Is your loved one irritable?

Irritability can be another clue that your loved one may not be at their best. It is human nature to be off-put by a grouchy, angry person, but this kind of personality change can indicate that something is wrong and that person has an increased need for others. Irritability can be a sign that this person is fighting an internal battle and perhaps grouchiness or anger is all they have the mental capacity for at the moment.

3. Is your loved one displaying erratic or impulsive behavior?

Is your loved one usually level headed and responsible, but now seems to be exhibiting behavior that is erratic or impulsive? This type of behavior can look different for different people. For some, this could look like making an extravagant purchase when they normally would plan for a month before buying a new toothbrush. For others, this could look like quitting their job without warning, even though they would normally never do anything like this. It all depends on that person’s personality and how they behave on a normal basis. This could be an alarming sign that this person might need help. 

4. Is your loved one frequently oversleeping or sleeping more than normal?

Has your loved one become lethargic? Are they suddenly complaining about being tired or worn down or exhausted? Sleeping can often be an escape for people who struggle with their mental health. An increased desire to be asleep can be a sign of depression. This could show that someone is struggling with their mental health.

5. Is your loved one struggling with insomnia or an inability to fall asleep?

On the flip side of oversleeping is insomnia. If your loved one is suddenly up all night and exhausted all the time, it could be that they have so much on their mind that they can’t turn it off. This may indicate a high level of anxiety which if left untreated could become serious.

All of these signs and symptoms can be a signal that your loved one needs help. If you notice something off about a person you care about, talk to them about what’s going on and how you can help! Remember the holidays can be a trying time during a normal year, but as we all know 2020 is NOT a normal year. Let’s all be intentional to care for each other well.