Increase in Depression During the holidays
Does anyone else feel like their depression gets worst through the holidays? What are some things that you feel help during these times?
Personally I play my music a whole lot more during the holidays and read.
I used to love Christmas and have been lucky enough to have a s/o every year of adulthood. Until this year. I am lucky enough to still have my family and will be traveling to see them but every time I see couples out shopping and enjoying the festivities I cry. This is my first Christmas coping with depression.
@RelativeQuill I feel for you :(
I get depressed because I don't have family and seeing everyone else happy and eating dinner with their family makes me wish I had that. It's not that I'm not grateful for the people I do have, it's more that I feel kinda lonesome at this time of year.
Is there someone who speaks Italian? I'm not very good in English... I'd like to fine someone to chat with...
@happiness98 I'm not the very best at speaking italian, it's not my first language, but I could try to chat with you if you'd like.
I do get depressed more during the holidays because I see everyone so happy and joyous when I feel sad and lonely .
@SaraLynn3004
i can relate and indont know why this season makes me think and feel that way more so than other times but it does.
@Reboot85I feel the same!!
In 2014 my Grandma passed away, so I miss that she is no longer around for the holidays. But, I am going back to Mexico for Christmas again to visit my in laws and that doesn't make me sad, it makes me happy b/c I will be bringing a lot of gifts this time since we are driving. Not many people take hand-me-downs, but my in laws in Mexico are at poverty level, so they will love my clothes that are partially used. (I have gained some weight unfortunately). I like to give presents for Christmas. Idc about getting them.
It definitely does yes.. cuz then I'm not so busy so I have more time to myself and I tend to over think.. or I watch TV and see people so happy and I get upset because I'm not that happy
@greenSailboat2754
i been watching shameless on netflix our lives got to be better than the drama in that show or so i hope
No. Infact, it is harder on the weekdays. Weekends is the only time i feel stressless. Because i hate what i do and where i am pushed into. "Why don't kill us the moment we are born? Why the elongated drama?" Yes, i am referring to society and stereotypes and sometimes our parents.
I get even more depressed because I don't enjoy them as much (because of my depression, it's a vicious cycle) and this year I'm going to Oklahoma to spend it with my relatives and I hate it there it's so so boring and awful..........I also get nervous about all the food bc I have issues with restricting food and my self esteem/weight
I get more depressed for no real reason. I'm also a bit more irritable around the holidays because I don't really want to be with my family that much because they make me feel stressed and trapped whenever I'm stuck with them. I don't like that feeling very much, as one might guess, which is why I much prefer being at school and if my family didn't expect me to be the kind of person who loves being with them and who would never voluntarily skip out on the holidays with family, I would never go home again except to see my siblings and my dog occasionally.
I feel like a jerk even writing this, it sounds so selfish and self-absorbed.
Tomorrow, at Thanksgiving, I will have to endure about 6 hours of my one relative talking about their big success of their film and new exciting writing projects and all the awards they've won. Everyone will say how wonderful their life is and all the traveling they've done.
They're a good person and all, I don't wish failure on them or anything like that, but I'm at a low point. I've worked so hard for 10 years with nothing to show for it. I'm very afraid of the future, my career is basically nonexistent. I have to try very very hard to pretend that I'm happy that they are happy when I just want to crawl into a hole and cry.
@Exist56 Focus on the positive things you've been doing and working for all this time tomorrow. Or, change the subject to something else, like the election or new trends or something else. I know you can get through this and I'm here for you.
@Exist56 Just wanted to let you know that the pressure to seem happy & successful at family gatherings can often be responsible for everyone's yearly updates filled with glories & greatness you feel as though you just cannot match - oftentimes, the people telling those stories are equally stressed about looking successful, thus have compiled editorialised, favourable updates to highlight triumphs & downplay negativities, lest they lose face to their families at holiday time. Perhaps your feelings of stress & worry are shared by others, but they just manage to hide it well. I know I found several family members of mine who admitted to feeling the same way as you've expressed, & I've also experienced, once I opened up & spoke to them about the tougher parts of my year.
Stay strong. X
@LustStarrr I really appreciate that!
Oddly enough, it was nothing like I was anticipating and actually that relative almost randomly looked at me and asked "you have bad anxiety, don't you?" which led to a nice conversation about anxiety. We both have similar stresses. So it was really nice, actually, it's rare for someone to lend and ear and really be able to empathize without giving condescending advice.
@Exist56 How wonderful - instead of a daunting situation, you instead connected with an empathetic family member instead. I'm glad to hear you had such a positive experience. :)