Not-So-Independent Day. The Mental Health Struggles of the 4th of July.
- CA
- Jul 2, 2024
- 3 min read
It’s the busiest week of the summer, as the country prepares for Thursday’s festivities, get-togethers, and firework shows. But there are also those that anxiously prepare for the challenges that come with the 4th of July. Most people are too busy planning their day off or long weekends to realize that our celebrations can be a trigger for those with mental health issues.
Fireworks are the hallmark of Independence Day, with light shows happening in almost every city and even families popping them on the streets. But one of the most prevailing concerns is triggering Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms for veterans. Overall, about 7% of veterans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. However, that number jumps to 29% for veterans of the most recent service era – Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The sound and flashes created by fireworks can cause veterans to recall traumatic events involving explosions, gunfire, or fire, and trigger PSTD symptoms, such as:
Being on edge and jittery
Flashbacks, or reliving a traumatic event as if it is happening again
Feelings of emotional numbness and distance during celebrations
Feeling of being blindsided or not in control
While fireworks tend to be an issue specific to the 4th of July, there are many other mental health challenges that one can face on this day, and most holidays. The most obvious is probably social phobia. Those that don’t do well in crowds or large groups are more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety due to all the social gatherings occurring in private and public settings. This also happens to be a prominent issue among the veteran community, with studies showing that about 35% of veterans exhibit social phobia.
People who struggle with addictive behaviors are also more likely to have a hard time on holidays. Any large gathering is bound to be accompanied with an excessive amount of food and, often, alcoholic beverages. This means that someone battling an eating disorder or alcoholism may find it difficult to maintain control during the festivities. This can make them to feel extreme anxiety or discomfort or give into their craving.
This doesn’t mean we should exclude anyone or cancel our 4th of July celebrations. It is simply a reminder to be conscious and considerate of the ones around you. If a friend chooses to not attend or refuses the beer you hand them, don’t pressure them into doing otherwise. We are all just trying to make the best choices to live our best life. And if you are worried about struggling with mental health issues this week, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Confide in others – Having someone present that knows about your problems is comforting and allows you to have someone to lean on if things get hard. If you’re comfortable enough with telling the whole group, it can avoid awkward or unnecessary interactions.
Have a plan or pre-establish boundaries – If you tend to get anxious with prolonged gatherings or the uncertainty of events, having a plan can help ease that. Set an arrival and departure time, create a meal plan of what you can have and how much, or make a note of areas to avoid.
Make yourself a priority – Remember your mental health and recovery is important. If you are feeling unsupported or uncomfortable, leave. If you dread just the idea of being there, don’t go. The ones that care about you will understand.
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