2025-12-04
Who is afraid of Christmas? Do holidays trigger psychiatric crises?
Psychiatry
By Carolina Lima | Published on Décember 4, 2025 | 3 min read
When we think about Christmas or Easter, we imagine joy, family dinners, and cozy traditions. Yet, for many individuals, this period can bring unique psychological challenges. For mental health professionals, these periods often raise a question: do holidays increase psychiatric emergencies? Surprisingly, recent findings show the opposite. A study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry titled “Who is Afraid of Christmas? The Effect of Christmas and Easter Holidays on Psychiatric Hospitalizations and Emergencies” provides valuable insights on how festive periods affect mental health and psychiatric care.
Study Overview
The research analyzed 26,088 psychiatric hospitalizations recorded in Switzerland, between 2012 and 2021 to determine whether major holiday periods correspond to increased psychiatric emergencies. Surprisingly, the results challenge the common belief that holidays increase psychiatric emergencies. Instead, psychiatric admissions dropped during Christmas and Easter compared to other times of the year. December consistently showed the lowest admission rates, followed by a marked increase in January—a phenomenon often referred to as the “post-holiday rebound.”
This temporal pattern suggests that holidays may exert a temporary protective effect on mental health. Social support and family presence during festive periods could buffer against acute psychiatric crises. However, the post-holiday rebound indicates that these benefits are short-lived, and stressors may resurface once the celebrations end.
Possible Explanations
Several factors may explain for this trend:
However, this does not mean holidays are universally positive. For some, financial strain, grief, and interpersonal conflicts can be exacerbated. Surveys consistently show that a significant proportion of adults report increased anxiety during the holiday season, driven by expectations and social pressures.
The Post-Holiday Effect
The sharp rise in admissions during January is clinically significant. After the holidays, individuals face financial obligations, work-related stress, and the emotional contrast between festive highs and routine life. For individuals with mood disorders, this transition can be destabilizing. Mental health professionals should anticipate this pattern and consider preventive strategies, such as scheduling follow-up appointments or offering additional support during early January.
Implications for Mental Health Care
Understanding these seasonal dynamics can help optimize psychiatric services:
Plan resources: hospitals can expect lower demand during holidays but prepare for increased admissions afterward.
Preventive care: the study underscores the importance of social connectedness; encourage patients to maintain routines, manage expectations and seek long-term social connection during festive periods.
Watch for isolation: not everyone has family support—those alone during holidays may need proactive engagement to mitigate potential crises. Identifying individuals at risk of isolation during these periods remains critical.
Conclusion
The holiday season is a complex time for mental health. This study really challenges the idea that holidays are a peak time for psychiatric emergencies. In fact, the data suggest the opposite likely thanks to social connection and familiar routines. But that calm doesn’t last. The sharp rise in January reminds us that symptoms often resurface once the celebrations end. For mental health professionals, this finding offers practical guidance. Preparing for the post-holiday rebound and checking in with patients before and after festive periods can make a real difference. Those facing loneliness or financial stress may need extra support. What really stands out is how much context shapes mental health. For some, holidays feel protective and comforting; for others, they can be overwhelming. Recognizing these differences helps us move beyond assumptions and deliver care that is proactive, compassionate, and adapted to real-life situations.
About the Author – Carolina Lima
Carolina is a specialist in Anaesthesiology with a deep passion for learning and sharing medical knowledge. Dedicated to advancing the field, Dr. Lima strives to bring fresh, evidence-based insights to the medical community. Viewing medicine not merely as a profession but as a lifelong journey of continuous learning, Dr. Lima is committed to making complex information clear, practical, and useful for healthcare professionals around the world.
When we think about Christmas or Easter, we imagine joy, family dinners, and cozy traditions. Yet, for many individuals, this period can bring unique psychological challenges. For mental health professionals, these periods often raise a question: do holidays increase psychiatric emergencies? Surprisingly, recent findings show the opposite. A study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry titled “Who is Afraid of Christmas? The Effect of Christmas and Easter Holidays on Psychiatric Hospitalizations and Emergencies” provides valuable insights on how festive periods affect mental health and psychiatric care.
Study Overview
The research analyzed 26,088 psychiatric hospitalizations recorded in Switzerland, between 2012 and 2021 to determine whether major holiday periods correspond to increased psychiatric emergencies. Surprisingly, the results challenge the common belief that holidays increase psychiatric emergencies. Instead, psychiatric admissions dropped during Christmas and Easter compared to other times of the year. December consistently showed the lowest admission rates, followed by a marked increase in January—a phenomenon often referred to as the “post-holiday rebound.”
This temporal pattern suggests that holidays may exert a temporary protective effect on mental health. Social support and family presence during festive periods could buffer against acute psychiatric crises. However, the post-holiday rebound indicates that these benefits are short-lived, and stressors may resurface once the celebrations end.
Possible Explanations
Several factors may explain for this trend:
- Social support: holidays often involve family and community gatherings, which increases the sense of belonging and connection and reduces feelings of isolation and hopelessness—common triggers for crises.
- Delay in seeking care: some individuals may postpone hospitalization to avoid disrupting celebrations or because services are limited.
- Structured routines: holiday traditions can provide a sense of emotional stability and predictability, reducing psychological distress.
However, this does not mean holidays are universally positive. For some, financial strain, grief, and interpersonal conflicts can be exacerbated. Surveys consistently show that a significant proportion of adults report increased anxiety during the holiday season, driven by expectations and social pressures.
The Post-Holiday Effect
The sharp rise in admissions during January is clinically significant. After the holidays, individuals face financial obligations, work-related stress, and the emotional contrast between festive highs and routine life. For individuals with mood disorders, this transition can be destabilizing. Mental health professionals should anticipate this pattern and consider preventive strategies, such as scheduling follow-up appointments or offering additional support during early January.
Implications for Mental Health Care
Understanding these seasonal dynamics can help optimize psychiatric services:
Plan resources: hospitals can expect lower demand during holidays but prepare for increased admissions afterward.
Preventive care: the study underscores the importance of social connectedness; encourage patients to maintain routines, manage expectations and seek long-term social connection during festive periods.
Watch for isolation: not everyone has family support—those alone during holidays may need proactive engagement to mitigate potential crises. Identifying individuals at risk of isolation during these periods remains critical.
Conclusion
The holiday season is a complex time for mental health. This study really challenges the idea that holidays are a peak time for psychiatric emergencies. In fact, the data suggest the opposite likely thanks to social connection and familiar routines. But that calm doesn’t last. The sharp rise in January reminds us that symptoms often resurface once the celebrations end. For mental health professionals, this finding offers practical guidance. Preparing for the post-holiday rebound and checking in with patients before and after festive periods can make a real difference. Those facing loneliness or financial stress may need extra support. What really stands out is how much context shapes mental health. For some, holidays feel protective and comforting; for others, they can be overwhelming. Recognizing these differences helps us move beyond assumptions and deliver care that is proactive, compassionate, and adapted to real-life situations.
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About the Author – Carolina Lima
Anaesthesiology specialist
Carolina is a specialist in Anaesthesiology with a deep passion for learning and sharing medical knowledge. Dedicated to advancing the field, Dr. Lima strives to bring fresh, evidence-based insights to the medical community. Viewing medicine not merely as a profession but as a lifelong journey of continuous learning, Dr. Lima is committed to making complex information clear, practical, and useful for healthcare professionals around the world.
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