With shopping lists to complete, houseguests to welcome and party invites to honor, the holidays can be stressful for anyone.
Those facing an illness, however, often find it much harder to carry out those tasks.
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A condition might restrict what they can eat at the dinner table. Physical disability or reduced energy may hinder travel — or even attending a party across town. Medical bills can strain finances.
And the worry of relapse or a decline in health could keep a patient from enjoying a season meant for simple pleasures.
"For some people, it's too much," says Michelle Riba, M.D., a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan and an associate director of the U-M Depression Center. "Some might feel overwhelmed by all the tasks and steps needed."
But even in the face of adversity, she notes, it's important to try to celebrate. The details might need to change.
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Those conversations, if a patient is willing, can be shared in advance among family and friends to ensure preparations meet their needs. Ask your clinician for advice, too.
"It's important to discuss what's realistic in order to minimize the stress," Riba says. "You can still get meaning and joy out of the holidays — it might just be in a different way."
Riba shared tips she often discusses with patients: