Psychologist says holiday stress can turn clinical when symptoms linger

Americans are reporting more holiday anxiety this year, driven by finances and family conflict, and Dr. Alan S. Jacobson is offering guidance on how to tell ordinary stress from anxiety or depression that needs treatment. The Westwood, Massachusetts psychologist says the key test is whether symptoms fade when the trigger passes or keep disrupting sleep, work, and relationships into January.

Why it matters: - Holiday anxiety is rising as families head into a season already shaped by money pressure, conflict, and grief. - The distinction between normal stress and a clinical problem affects whether people cope on their own or seek treatment. - Clear guidance can help reporters, families, and patients identify when holiday distress needs professional attention.

What happened: - The American Psychiatric Association's most recent holiday polling found Americans reporting more anxiety about the holiday season than the year before. - Finances and family conflict ranked among the top drivers of that anxiety. - Dr. Alan S. Jacobson, Psy.D., MBA, a licensed clinical psychologist in Westwood, Massachusetts, is available to explain where ordinary holiday stress ends and clinical anxiety or depression begins. - Jacobson has previously served as a source for NPR, Politico, NECN, and WPRI.

The details: - Jacobson says stress tied to a specific, time-limited trigger is usually normal, even when it feels intense. - Examples include a difficult family gathering, a tight budget, or a first holiday after a loss. - Jacobson says distress becomes a concern when it persists after the trigger passes. - Jacobson also flags symptoms that are out of proportion to the situation or that interfere with sleep, work, or relationships well into January. - Jacobson says holiday-triggered anxiety and family conflict respond well to treatment. - Individual therapy can help people manage stress and long-standing family patterns before conflicts escalate. - Family therapy can create a structured setting to work through recurring holiday disputes. - Jacobson says those conversations can produce insight and closeness that last beyond the season. - Jacobson has more than 25 years of clinical experience. - His training includes EMDR and Polyvagal Theory-informed approaches. - Jacobson holds the National Register Health Service Psychologist credential. - Jacobson is licensed in Massachusetts, California, New Hampshire, and New York. - Jacobson serves on Mensa International's Gifted Youth Committee. - Jacobson built a multi-state telehealth practice to reach clients who cannot easily find a local specialist. - Jacobson has PSYPACT authority to practice telepsychology across 46 states. - Jacobson offers phone, video, or in-person sessions from the Boston/Westwood, Massachusetts area. - Jacobson also has an additional presence in San Diego, California, and New York City. - More information is available at Dr. Alan Jacobson's website.

Between the lines: - The pitch is built for a common seasonal news hook: when does holiday stress stop being normal and start becoming a mental health issue? - Jacobson's message frames treatment as practical and time-sensitive, not only for crisis cases but also for recurring family patterns that surface every year. - The emphasis on telehealth suggests demand for specialists who can reach patients outside local markets.

What's next: - Jacobson is available this season for reporter interviews on holiday stress, anxiety, depression, and family conflict. - Coverage is likely to focus on coping strategies, warning signs, and when to seek treatment before symptoms spill deeper into the new year.

The bottom line: - Holiday stress is common. Symptoms that linger, intensify, or disrupt daily life may signal something more serious.