Okay, I have to ask- does anyone else feel really depressed during party time? My daughters 10th birthday was today. I arranged it all, despite my great inability to be organized it turned out pretty well. It was at Chuck-E-Cheese so really all I had to do was bring the kids, cake, and money. (which I actually screwed up on because I forgot the candles and was a few dollars short on the money too). But all in all she had a blast. I could feel the depression really sink in before the party. And during it, I felt it looming but I kept myself busy doing everything I could do and chatting with parents. During clean-up though when it was all over I really felt my heart ache. And now, that the kids are in bed and the pictures are all digitalized and everything's done... I'm way down in the dumps. And I don't know why! I'm not really stressed about her getting older. She's 10. I don't feel that's a huge issue with me.

But a child's birthday party should be a joyous occasion, and I had to FORCE myself to smile and pretend I was having fun! It should not be this way. When the kids went to bed I just broke down crying.

And really- I'm like this in almost every social situation. Family gatherings, parties, holidays, etc... It all seems surreal while it is happening, and they ultimately depress me.

Is anyone else like this? Does anyone know why they are like that?