Is it normal to feel depressed around Christmas or the holidays?

It is very common, I find I suffer from depression particularly around Christmas due to not being close with my family. if you don't have a stereotypical family background it can be a very isolated holiday

I think it happens quite often, because you see people around you being really happy and excited over the holidays. So, you start to wonder "what's wrong with me?", or "why can't I be happy too?".

It is normal to feel depressed on special occasions for various reasons, especially if the occasions remind you of traumatic events or the loss of loved ones. Sometimes it's loneliness. Sometimes you don't know what exactly makes you feel the way you do. But it's going to be fine. It's all fine, in the end.

Absolutely. It can be a very isolating time for those of us that live in solitude or don't have family near by. There's a lot of cultural pressure to be extremely happy at that time, that's really unfair to those of us struggling with mental health issues.

Studies have found that the highest rate of depression is around Christmas and New Eve because that is the time when people get together, celebrate and are supposed to feel good but since a depressed person can't feel joy and doesn't have the energy to be social, it is very normal that the person will feel even more depressed. To get over this, depressed people have to make an effort and spend their holidays around people who loves them and care about them.

Yes. If you don't have a very great family life, the holidays can bring you down and if you have depression it really doesn't care what season it is.

I think it is pretty normal, actually. And even if it's not, it's completely valid and okay to feel bad, whenever it is you feel bad. However, I think it is likely other people feel depressed for many reasons around holidays. It can be stressful, there can be high expectations and fear of failure, seeing family can also be difficult for many reasons, and the weather gets dark and cold which can also play in. But, for whatever reason you're depressed - even if the reason is simply that you have depression - it's completely valid and legitimate in and of itself. Even if no one else in the world felt bad during the holidays, you're struggles would be real and important to take seriously. I hope things get better for you soon, and that you manage to get through the holidays safely. Take care.

I feel pretty depressed on all social gatherings with family. It constantly reminds me of how distant my relatives and I are. We just eat, drink, and move on with the next day. I come from a family that isn't that big on holidays.

Of course it is.. It reminds you maybe of your childhood and makes you nostalgic... Or maybe you know you won't see the persons you want to see in these holidays

Yes! It's actually one of the times of year with the highest spikes in depression and suicide rates. Obviously each person is different, but often the sentimentality of the holidays can bring up grief and feelings of loss or loneliness. The stress can also negatively affect one's mood.