WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – The holiday season can be mentally challenging for veterans, who may experience sensory overload from large crowds and noise, according to a local behavioral medicine expert.
Dr. Kathleen Young, director of behavioral medicine at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, said there’s a lot of pressure to live up to holiday expectations.
She says that it’s okay if the holidays don’t look exactly the same as they have in the past, because the important thing is being around the people you love.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the holidays may intensify feelings that veterans face all year long, such as loneliness and grief.
“If somebody does want some space for themselves and they don’t want to be in the crowd, allow that to happen. Give people the opportunity to be able to take some time, take some space, and have a breath before coming back into the crowded area,” Dr. Young said.
Dr. Young said it’s important to exercise patience and for veterans to give themselves grace.
“So whenever you are in a space, and you maybe have PTSD or have experienced trauma, when that pressure comes into play with things that might not normally seem traumatic, you might be more likely to be irritable and snappy with people,” Dr. Young said. “And so it’s really important to be able to not take things personally sometimes and be patient with somebody if they’re a little bit more on edge during the holidays.”
Resources for veterans and their loved ones can be found through the National Crisis Line at 988 and pressing 1 for veterans.
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