overview: anxiety based disorder specifically related to the end of each calendar year, lasting for a relatively short period of time between thanksgiving + new year’s day. symptoms intensify as the year closes, + often disappear completely by the 3rd week in january. commonly known among lay persons as “christmas chaos disorder”

population: tends to manifest itself mainly in females (especially mothers) of the type a personality . although in recent years, numbers of persons diagnosed has risen among the male population.

note: there is a direct correlation between the number of children + the severity of the symptoms.

diagnostic criteria for holiday histrionic disorder is as follows:

a. excessive anxiety + worry, occurring more often + increasingly towards the end of december.

b. general feelings of inadequacy, unworthiness or incompetence.

c. the disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of the weather (see seasonal affectiveness disorder), although these 2 disorders can occur in conjunction with each other, as well as exascerbate symptoms.

d. the anxiety is associated with 3 (or more) of the following symptoms:

(1) feeling keyed up or on edge, with the inability to distinguish between meaningful + insignificant issues (eminent bankruptcy vs. broken tree ornaments)
(2) obsessive concern + worry over lists
(3) difficulty concentrating or mind going blank, forgetfulness
(4) impatience, irritability displayed in crowded public places
(5) sudden aggressive or violent emotions (mostly directed towards seasonal retail help +/or significant other)
(6) an intense aversion to the colors green +/or red (except regarding foods or drinks)
(7) constant worry or depression over weight gain (yet patient shows no signs of dieting, often over indulging in sweets + unhealthy foods)

prognosis: excellent. patients respond positively to treatment during peak cycles + often function normally during dormant cycles.

treatment: drug therapy in conjunction with at home relaxation techniques like aromatherapy + social drinking.

current medication prescribed: asitwerejan 2 (available in eggnog liquid or peppermint tablet forms).

generic name: nodecstress X

black market/street name: "sugar plums"

(via momish)