[Fuzzybear]

Does anybody else feel more depressed this time of year?

I do. Holidays are really, really hard for me now.

Big bear hug for you, Fuzzy!

[Altered Moment]

It has always been the worst time of year for me. I have totally missed so many holidays due to depression. Just stayed home christmas day by myself and wanted it that way.

However this year I think it is going to be a very good one for a change.

[Gray Rider]

yes down in the hole this year

[Clara22]

Last year I was very depressed as my mom had passed away 2 months before Christmas. This time I have to be in bed, hope to be here at the hospital, though.

[Beanbag0]

I'm spending my holiday away from home with my family and that always increases my anxiety. I find it so hard to have to be happy and fun all the time, it's so tiring! But I have my mom who understands me and has learned to read when I feel depressed so I guess it's important to find a source of comfort and strength during this holiday season. Best wishes x

[Idiot17]

You would it can't get worse bug holiday time proves you wrong....again...
(((((Fuzzy)))))

[TheOriginalMe]

This year is hard for me what with being advised that I'll most probably be laid off in the spring. I can't get excited, I can't even indulge in retail therapy because I need to save every penny.

I keep thinking about other years when I've been in trouble at Christmas, it isn't the first time I've been fighting for my job at this time of year. In December 1988 I was trying to prove myself in a new town, I was fighting discrimination and to keep my job, I lasted another two months before being fired. After that I just spiralled down and down until .....

Then in 1991 same pattern, wasn't fired but got a final written warning in November and then transfered to a lower paid job in December.

I know both of those are such a long time ago, but now they are as raw and fresh as yesterday. A month ago I was still hoping that getting into treatment might have me feeling a bit better by now, instead I'm plunged into yet another crisis.

Sorry for my wailing Fuzzybear, for me this year is pity party not christmas party. One thing I dislike more than Xmas is New Year, so even when the big one is out of the way I get hit by another wave of ughhh a week later.

((((((Fuzzy))))))

[waterknob1234]

Christmas of 2009 was so hard as my mother had just passed away. Mama was Ms Christmas. She always made Christmas special with her homemade baked goodies and her Christmas music.

This year I am under so much stress at work I am having a hard time being happy about Christmas or anything else for that matter. It all hit rock bottom today. I know how you feel Fuzzy. I am there with you.

[dandylin]

UP and down during this season. I miss the old, family times, but I think what I miss is an illusion. So many things I thought were true; have turned out to be lies

For some strange reason, I tend to feel pretty good after Thanksgiving for about two or three weeks. I am away from my family and on my own, so Christmas does not mean anything to me anymore like it used to. When it gets right into Christmas, then I really feel down.

I remember when I was young that I was with my family and Christmases were wonderful. Some were not good, but not many of those. Now it does not mean anything.

I remember many, many years ago when I was a junior in high school, I met a girl that I feel in love with about a week after Thanksgiving. It all happened so suddenly and out of the blue. And then I remembered some nights with her at her house. The lights were out (it was just the two of us) and I could see the house next door with Christmas lights. It was very romantic and I was with a real great gal. I still remember all of that, and that was decades ago! Something special like that never happened to me like that again. She and I parted ways. No one nearly as nice as her ever came along for me.
Sorry I got rambling on. I couldn't help myself.

[IDK_Anymore]

Oh yes I feel it worse now... Especially being off work sick with the only income being statutory sick pay (do you know how little that is) it doesn't even cover rent payments let alone utility bills and food!

The Christmas tree will look bare, the cupboards are bare. Those thoughts on top of depression pushes you to the limits... So yes I'm with you on this one Fuzzy :**(((

xXx

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Normally I really enjoy Christmas but since my depression has worsened I'm definitely dreading Christmas Eve especially. With this bout I start to get so tired once it gets dark out, and our Christmas Eve is spent with my husband's family at a marathon gathering that starts early afternoon and goes until at least 10 p.m. or so. Normally I go up to bed at about 8 p.m. and lie there thinking until I take my bedtime meds at 9 p.m. I've been thinking about my husband and I taking separate cars Christmas Eve so I can leave early if need be.

[Gomphus]

Heck yeah. Holidays are mixed. I'm so excited for my kids and I feel festive but there is so much pressure to be happy. Xmas 2010 my exwife and I knew we were divorcing but we pretended through the holidays for the kids. This year my SO and I are struggling through issues and i find myself, again, delaying the hard talk until the new year.

[MotherMarcus]

It varies from year to year with me. Some times I just don't feel like celebrating and others I need just a little bit of the trappings to make me happy.
I find New Year's Eve to be the hardest though.

[angelene]

Yes. ((((((Fuzzy))))))

Originally Posted by dandylin

UP and down during this season. I miss the old, family times, but I think what I miss is an illusion. So many things I thought were true; have turned out to be lies

When I was younger, I had a big family and we all hung out together all the time, but Christmas was really, really special. It turns out most of those people are a**holes or dead.

I have a much smaller family now and consider my friends part of it. (I don't have many friends.) One of my best friends is having a "real" Christmas at her house and that's where my mother and I will spend the day. She has little kids that are going to be all excited and happy. I feel sad just thinking about it because I know my depression will flare up despite or because of the festive environment.

My father died in 2005, so this will be the tenth anniversary of our last Christmas with him. He was a huge source of holiday joy.

I know it could be worse but I'm just not feeling the holiday spirit.

[Little Jay]

Definitely for me - I think since moving out and becoming an "adult" the magic of Christmas has just disappeared (I hope it will come back when we eventually have children). Then along with my depression coming and going it's rare that I'm in a positive enough mood to appreciate Christmas and feel the happiness as I usually would.

[gayleggg]

Yes, I always feel worse around the holidays. I still miss my mother, especially at this time of year. It's just not the same without her.