Hospital admissions increase greatly at this time of year. There are many cases of attempted suicide and the Samaritans get more calls than ever.

Psychotherapist Paolo Valerio, of the British Association of Psychotherapists, says Christmas and New Year can be perilous for our emotions - and problems often stem from people's fantasies that everything will be wonderful.

Valerio says: "What tends to happen is people think, because their family is wearing fancy hats and pulling crackers, that everyone has somehow changed. It is very much about one's expectations. If you are part of a dysfunctional family, then you will still be part of a dysfunctional family at Christmas.

"Dad's still going to be undermining you, mum's still going to be driving you mad - and I think that's why so many people get disappointed."

For those who have no family to be demented by, Christmas and New Year can be a tougher time still.

Valerio says: "You think you should part of this ideal family and part of this wonderful celebration. But in fact, we live in a very complicated society and there are very few nuclear, happy families - so a lot of people end up feeling isolated."

Thus she suggests not rising to the bait when your family irritate you - and just smiling instead.