Understanding 'Dezembrite': The Year-End Mental Health Challenge

Quick Summary

The term Dezembrite describes the negative emotional impact that can arise at the end of the year. While December is often associated with renewal, it can rekindle painful emotions for some. Psychiatrist Arthur Cardoso notes that this feeling can prevent people from enjoying their achievements. The phenomenon is often triggered by evaluating unmet goals and comparing oneself to others. A major contributing factor is the display of compulsory happiness on social media, which acts as a trigger for isolation, particularly for those dealing with grief or financial difficulties. Digital platforms represent only a fraction of reality, yet they can intensify feelings of failure. Holiday celebrations, such as Christmas, can also heighten the pain of those who have lost loved ones. Furthermore, family gatherings may serve as emotional triggers in households with conflict. Experts emphasize that identifying signs of emotional distress is crucial, as the impact can sometimes extend into January.

The Psychology of Year-End Stress

Dezembrite is a term used to describe the negative emotional impact that can emerge at the end of the year. According to psychiatrist Arthur Cardoso, although December is recognized for good energy and renewal, for some people, it reignites painful emotions such as anguish, stress, and anxiety. While not a collective characteristic, this sentiment can hinder individuals from enjoying what they have achieved.

Cardoso explains that when evaluating unmet goals, it is common for people to make comparisons with themselves and with others. This behavior is often exacerbated by the digital environment. The psychiatrist points out that the compulsory happiness displayed on social media acts as a trigger for the isolation of those going through grief or financial difficulties. He states that the digital world represents only a portion of reality, as each user selects what they wish to make public.

According to Cardoso, someone who is already fragile or struggles with self-esteem may suffer more influence from this characteristic of social media. This behavior has the potential to intensify feelings of failure and sadness when comparing oneself to the curated lives posted online.

Grief and Family Dynamics 🧑‍🎄

Beyond comparisons, celebratory dates like Christmas can intensify the pain for those who have lost loved ones. For these individuals, the period may be marked by emotional suffering. Arthur Cardoso explains that understanding life cycles can help mitigate this impact, although it does not eliminate sadness or longing. He states, "Parte do ciclo da vida envolve a partida. A morte também faz parte desse processo" (Part of the life cycle involves departure. Death is also part of this process). The doctor suggests that valuing memories and shared experiences can help reframe the loss, noting that these people remain present through shared stories and experiences.

Regarding family dynamics, the psychiatrist points out that year-end reunions can function as emotional triggers, especially in families with conflicting relationships. If coexistence is necessary, he indicates that minimal respect must exist. He advises maintaining a posture during the gathering and avoiding bringing up conflicts that should be resolved at another time. However, he highlights that this recommendation varies according to each person, as behaviors and reactions are individual.

Symptoms and Warning Signs 🚩

According to Arthur Cardoso, it is important to observe any feeling that affects mental health intensely enough to impair basic daily activities, such as self-care, work, and social relations. Instead of looking for specific points, one should consider any emotional discomfort or difficulty performing basal, regular activities that is sustained over time. If this type of difficulty is identified, the guidance is to seek clinical evaluation to help identify if the cause is related to physical or emotional factors.

Among the signs that may indicate intensified emotional suffering at the end of the year are:

• Loss of emotional control
• Exploding irritation
• Constant insomnia
• Recurring crying
• Impulses to flee
• Thoughts of giving up

Ana Cristina Tomazeli, a Master in Counseling in Mental Health Clinic, explains that feelings experienced at the end of the year manifest in the body in the form of emotions and trauma. She notes that the period is marked by an excess of stimuli, which contributes to the hyperstimulation of the central nervous system. She states, "The path, in fact, is to deactivate the central nervous system from that activation it gets due to so many stimuli."

Coping Strategies and Recommendations

To deal with this scenario, Ana Cristina Tomazeli recommends several strategies to manage the nervous system. She emphasizes that the central nervous system learns by repetition, so training the body to calm down is essential. The recommendations include:

• Recognizing that you are not well and naming your feelings
• Identifying where the emotion manifests in the body
• Creating pauses before reactions
• Establishing micro-routines with a beginning, middle, and end
• Making agreements with oneself to recognize and respect limits
• Practicing conscious breathing using the diaphragm
• Using anchoring objects or phrases
• Counting on a support circle (not necessarily family)
• Reducing social and emotional isolation
• Paying attention to the consumption of digital content

Regarding the White January syndrome, Arthur Cardoso notes that the emotional impact of the end of the year does not always end in December. Many people manage the period but experience an emotional worsening in January. He recommends regular follow-up with professionals who inspire trust to favor the identification of relapse signs and act early. He stresses the importance of valuing what one feels: "If you are not feeling well, could not find an explanation through exams or evaluations, it is necessary to think about an emotional impact and seek an evaluation as soon as possible."