ECU experts available to discuss stress and anxiety during the holidays
Experts at East Carolina University are available to discuss a variety of topics related to how the holidays can amplify stress and anxiety for many people and ways in which ECU is working to alleviate them.
“The holidays are like a coin. You have the family, fun, happiness and traditions all on one side of the coin, and then you have the stress of it all on the other side,” said Dr. Ashley Britton, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine at ECU’s Brody School of Medicine.
The stressors can come from anywhere, including family tensions, finances, work demands, changing family dynamics and even dealing with the loss of a family member, friend or material possessions.
“It puts a lot of strain on people – personally or financially – when they have these kinds of issues to deal with,” Britton said.
Topics and available experts:
Military deployment and general stress related to the holidays
Dr. Ashley Britton
Clinical assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine, Brody School of Medicine
Expertise: Clinical health psychology and behavioral medicine
Highlight: Members of the military spend a significant time away from family, including the holidays. Service members may experience feelings of homesickness, loneliness, depression, frustration and stress or guilt.
Many farmers face a particularly stressful time at the end of the year
Dr. Robin Tutor Marcom
ECU faculty member and director of the North Carolina Agromedicine Institute
Expertise: Mental health stress of farmers and their families
Highlight: The end of the calendar year is when the state’s farmers find out whether many of their crops have or have not produced. “It’s time for them to settle up with their creditors for the operating loans that they took out in the spring, in good faith that they’re going to have a good year weather-wise and market-wise,” said Tutor.
Families adapt as students return for the holidays
Lauren Thorn
Associate dean of students
Expertise: student counseling and student life
Highlight: Returning home for an extended holiday break – after being away since the dog days of August – can bring conflict and stress to the most joyful of family-centered times.
Holiday season is another stressor for physicians in danger of burnout
Dr. Rochelle Asagbra
Clinical assistant professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Brody School of Medicine
Expertise: Medical journalism, health literacy, community health
Highlight: “Physicians face increased stress during the holiday season because they are trying to take care of as many patients as they can while also trying to spend time with their loved ones, and they’re trying their best to balance that during an especially busy time of year,” said Asagbra.
Dr. Heather Littleton
Associate professor of psychology
Expertise: Trauma recovery, PTSD
Highlight: Families in North Carolina are still dealing with the aftermath of hurricanes Matthew, Florence and Dorian. Compounding the problem is a shortage of mental health resources in rural communities, especially if there’s a spike in demand after a natural disaster, Littleton said. She received a grant from the National Science Foundation to study how individuals cope with and recover from severe and ongoing stress after storms.
College students and financial stress during the holidays
Dean Smith
Director of Student Centers and finance instructor in ECU’s College of Business
Expertise: general finance
Highlight: Tips on how students can financially prepare for the holidays.
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Note: More information for each of these story ideas can be found on the ECU News story ideas webpage.