While fireworks illuminated the New Year's Eve sky in Hyderabad and social media feeds filled with celebratory posts, a contrasting reality unfolded across the city's mental health support networks. Helplines experienced a surge in distress calls from young individuals grappling with profound loneliness, recent heartbreaks, and painful memories tied to past relationships.
The Unusual New Year Spike in Distress Calls
Mental health professionals reported that the festive period triggered what is known as an 'anniversary reaction,' leading many to seek emotional support rather than crisis intervention. For most, the New Year was a time of cheer, but a significant section of the city's youth reached out to psychologists and helplines over unresolved emotional pain linked to break-ups.
Dr. Rebecca, a consultant psychologist at the One Life Helpline, highlighted the unusual pattern. "During the holiday season, there is typically a decrease in calls from individuals on the verge of suicide. However, on the two or three days surrounding New Year, we received 300 calls, all related to feelings of loneliness due to a lack of companionship during the festivities," she revealed. Among these callers, 60% were men, and the rest were women.
She emphasized the uniqueness of the situation: "This was the first time we received this type of calls specifically on New Year. Although we regularly receive calls from people who are emotionally affected by relationships, this situation was unique to the New Year." Dr. Rebecca cited the example of a 28-year-old man, already distressed after his relationship ended due to family disapproval, who sought support because he was spending the New Year alone for the first time after previously celebrating it with his partner.
Understanding 'Anniversary Reaction' and Adjustment Disorder
Experts classify such intense emotional responses to specific dates as an 'anniversary reaction' or a form of adjustment disorder. Dr. Charan Teja Koganti, a psychiatrist at KIMS Hospitals in Kondapur, confirmed similar concerns were reported during the festive period.
"We received several enquiries during these festivities. Many individuals develop deep emotional attachments to certain dates and occasions when they enjoyed time with loved ones who are no longer in their lives due to various circumstances. We refer to this phenomenon as an anniversary reaction," Dr. Koganti elaborated. He described a case where a woman, divorced for a year, felt intense loneliness as the New Year approached, reminding her of past family outings.
The psychiatrist explained that after a relationship ends or the loss of a loved one, individuals need time to emotionally adjust. "This is commonly what we describe as adjustment disorder in life. Additionally, the harsh winter weather can exacerbate emotional mood swings," Dr. Koganti added.
Shifting Relationship Patterns Among Youth
Psychologists also pointed to broader, evolving relationship trends that may contribute to such emotional distress. Dr. Jawaharlal Nehru P, a senior psychologist at the government-run Tele Manas facility, noted that while New Year-specific calls were notable, long-term trends indicate frequent break-ups among the youth.
"While we only received regular calls specifically around New Year, it is noted over time that break-ups are frequent among younger individuals. They seem to prioritise comfort over attachments and often find themselves in multiple relationships simultaneously before becoming exhausted by this cycle," Dr. Nehru observed.
The convergence of festive social pressure, memories tied to specific dates, and modern relationship dynamics created a perfect storm for emotional distress. The data from Hyderabad's helplines underscores a critical need for awareness and accessible emotional support systems, especially during culturally significant times of collective celebration, which can ironically heighten feelings of isolation for some.
