December 26, 2008
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Holidays and Depression
I have read several posts here recently about depression and sadness.
I guess that would be expected when you look at the fact that so many people are alone around the holidays. It is also a reminder at the end of the year for those who are realizing that they do not have anyone for another year.
Is the holiday season causing you happiness or depression this year?
Comments (130)
Happiness. Like every year.
A little of both. I’m one of the ones with no one at the moment. Family is a long ways away.
But, it’s went well. 
Well, I was very moody.
But now that it’s over, I feel better. It’s the entire holiday season that gives me trouble, I think, not so much the day itself.
Depression because I know I have to leave soon.
Depression.
There were years were I would panick because I risked speninf christmas all alone
Confusion. I honestly don’t even know how I’m feeling right now.
Stop reminding me I’m not getting any Christmas presents this year…
Happiness! Even tho I can relate to the sad loneliness too. It’d be nice to have someone to roast marshmallows with and cuddle on the couch and watch movies with and …yes, still happiness.
Depression. I’m a thousand miles away from my boyfriend, forty five credits away from being done with school, stuck in the county without a car, and completely dependent on everyone around me (who aren’t always so willing to help me out).
Oh well.
both but trying to make it more happiness
depression.
Pure depression.
depression
Absolute depression for more than one reason, too!
Neither, I’m just passive.
HAPPINESS for this year.
Mostly just boredom.
A little bit of both – I have holiday bipolarity.
There’s been a lot of tension & stress around our house lately, but it has Nothing to Do with the Holiday…..
Merry Christmas Dan!!!
90% happiness, 10% depression
i’ve learned that spending the holidays without cable has pretty much eliminated all holiday stress. today didn’t really even feel like christmas. it was just another day where i happened to get a lot of stuff and a day off work.
Depression.
I’m ok with saying a little bit of both
Depression…. But not because I realize how alone I am. It’s because I realize that there are so many people around me who love me, but I can’t get the love of one certain person…. And unfortunately, it feels as if that’s all that matters.
Now that’s sad.
Mostly depression but that’s not uncommon nowadays.
i try to just look at it as another day. not just another day but it can be if you take away all the presents and get togethers. if you look at it as a day to measure what you are worth what you have accomplished or not accomplished then i can see how you can get depressed.
Depression. Missing my dad, missing my friends from our old church, worried about my nephew…
I’m depressed all the time so the holidays aren’t any different. I guess it’s worse because my grandmother and uncle isn’t here but I mean I’m still blessed with the rest of my family and my many blessings so I can’t really complain….so the holidays were still good this year.
Depression: college app blues!
@saintvi - yeah I understand that but there are other people around that I’m blessed with.
depression + boredommm
are you at all surprised by the slant here dan?
It fluctuates.
right now its a bit depressing cause ive got nothing to do
depression. various reasons, but mainly because it’s the first christmas without my grandma…
I deal with clouds depression all year around with a few rays of happiness that peek through every so often. It’s all a part of dealing with Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. However, I do have to fight to manage the depression more during the late fall into early spring. It doesn’t have anything to do with the holidays, though. I believe it’s more of a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) kind of thing.
Neither. I don’t really care much about the Holidays.
But, I’m very glad to have someone with whom to share life in general.
This year, I would have to say depression since my husband is deployed and we didn’t get to celebrate Christmas together. It’s awful but my heart goes out to all the troops who missed out on Christmas this year and also the families who misses their soldier.
@niez_cho - y?
@stefani_x3 - do you think it’s wierd… if there are 10people alone this year. why not in a perfect world just put them together and create happiness everywhere?
pretty sure depression.
yep.
holidays. family. epic fail.
Pure happiness, although having a lover would be great right now.
I was doing just fine until my family was in a room together more than 4 hours, I love them, but damn im getting anxious and want to leave (but have nowhere to go, my escape is xanga)
Happiness despite the sad things that do become more apparent during this time.
I find this time of year stressful and hectic. New Year’s Eve is depressing as I reflect on another wasted year.
Eh, not really excited about the holidays anymore. Could care less.
Mixed feelings. I’m with the man I love dearly, sent step-daughter I adore to her Mother’s today because “that’s how mom wants it” and my other kids are all a long way away from what is home for me right now.
I also cannot shake memories of this week three years ago. I still get nightmares.
im depressed i only have $7.00 left in my account from christmas shopping.
i was happy ’till you brought up depression. you must work for the news media. notice how they revel in all the horrible news that happened ? they want us to be depressed and afraid.
i’m going with both… first i’m stressed to the max and that brings depressing thoughts/feelings. but once family things start happiness is all around.
Depression, though a flame of hope is quietly and aggresively flickering to stay lit.
Don’t know why but I always get depressed during Christmas and my birthday.
happiness!
woo no school, yay for work :[
Anger, lots of anger.
Neither. Really didn’t feel like the holidays too much for me this year.
it’s usually a mixture for me, but a very happiness-rich mixture as a rule…
Depression. My grandfather just passed away…
Once or twice I thought, I don’t have a boyfriend to buy a present for this year. But my next thought was, And I’m okay with that. So, happiness.
Truthfully, being around family (immediate family, that is) is more stressful than being alone; the good part is that my extended family definitely makes up for that. Other than that, the only reason I’d be depressed during the holidays is because New Year’s is imminent, and endings, for me at least, are always a little sad. At least I have an entire year to start over.
A little bit of both.
I always get depressed this time of year…I love the holidays but it gets stressful. But the depression comes from the winter time and the lack of light and I think the stress adds to it. Then there’s the whole letdown after the holidays…
Both. My parents are dead and my siblings are 3,000 miles away. I have my Carlos, but it’s still difficult as hell.
My friend, also an orphan, locked himself in his bedroom all day long to cry and refused to join in any festivities.
Yeah…it can really, really suck this time of year.
I have experienced depression many, many years ago, but not related to holidays. There were some years in which I spent Christmas by myself and I was not especially happy about that, but it didn’t go to a deprressed level.
I can understand depression at Christmas time, however.
For me, Christmas is a spiritual experience that evokes various emotions. It’s not just one day, It’s a season of 12 days which ends at another special time, Feast of the Epiphany.
And Merry Christmas to you!
Cheers!
a mix of sadness and happiness
Anger.
They say depression is just anger without all the enthusiasm…
I have enthusiasm.
The holiday season itself is causing nothing really other than irritation. It’s like an annual rash that sticks around for a month.
Happiness at the moment… unfortunately when the new year rolls around, I’ll start realizing that I have to go back to college for another semester. Leaving my friends and family behind again isn’t going to be easy.
It’s my first Christmas without my Grandma, so that’s a little sad, but it’s nice to be with my family regardless.
Both.
@niez_cho - Aw. Why not? ): sadness.
Then again….I really hate presents. Gift cards! So much better.
Definitely depression. I don’t get to see my lovey. ):
irritated.
why does everything close down on christmas!
This Christmas I realized I am alone. and sad. and yeah, that’s depressing…. along with winter depression for less sunlight and outdoor activity…. and it’s friggin cold and I have no one to snuggle with… sadness…yep…sad and lonely
@logicalemu - yep
Not really. I’m bored, which always is slightly depressing. So tomorrow I’ll have to get off my ass and do something about it.
halo! can u do my friend?
Merry Christmas
Christmas makes me happy. I love an excuse to buy/make presents for the people I love.
This year is the first time I’m away from home for Christmas.
It’s so depressing.
the holidays always makes me sad :/
kind of both.
Happiness for me. But thats a very good point. I remember a teacher once quoted “there are 6 billion people in the world. But it is one lonely place if you don’t have family or friends”
Depression, my parents is driving me nuts. I like them better when they are busy at work.
happiness. Because this year is the first time I tried to celebrate Christmas. I got my family gifts and I even baked cookies. We don’t have a tree or went to church but I think it is still a nice start.
Yesterday was pretty crappy because nasty things had to be said, but I think we are doing better. No matter how life is, you should ALWAYS try to see the bright side, eventhough it is tiny.
Hope you had a nice Christmas, Dan.
@Zayin_michael - haha
Gotta keep that in mind.
My mum went into hospital 4 weeks before xmas. She has Asthma and smokes and normally gets a chest infection every winter and goes into hospital, only to be fine. This year we expected the same. But it wasn’t. She ended up in a drug-induced coma on a ventilator in intensive care. That was depressing enough till my dad got asked if he wanted to turn her ventilator off. The doctor said she would live for a few days possibly if she stayed the same. If she got better she would have 6 months to a year to live.
She has been diagnosed with COPD..not good. But the best xmas present was her coming out of hospital on the 23rd December =]
We were also in the middle of moving house when she was in hospital. My 2nd night sleeping in my new house was that night, so we aren’t very moved in. But it was a great xmas =] (although one of my cats got hit by a car and died the day before she came home =[ )
So Depressed then UNBELIEVABLY HAPPY!! with a lot of sad for the cat =[
Both. And stress.
My family celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve, so that everyone could be present. [Pardon the pun!
)] And even though my soul is now being tested, I have enjoyed this Christmas immensely. Joy will out, and God will take care of the rest in His time. Amen.
depression…in these holidays..i felt so empty
i never had this feeling before..
it made me very sad
Happiness. But something else just so happens to be causing my depression >_<.
I find it interesting that Christianity has created an environment where people sense the need for expressing joy during a particular part of the year, more so than other parts of the year. This cultural expectation may highlight to some of us the reality that such a joy is not present in our lives, not to mention all of the extra trappings of cultural pressure. Maybe this realization of our lack of merriment is a good thing, so that we seek the remedy…God all wrapped in swaddling flesh.
I don’t know if it’s so much being alone that makes me depressed, but rather having to deal with my messed up family. Sometimes I’d rather be alone.
You know, I think this is the first year I haven’t even thought about the fact that I’m “alone.” That’s a nice change.
More happiness a bit sadness
i don’t know… i was supposed to feel bad but my clinical instructor died and i realized even for just this little while that christmas is worth celebrating cuz you never know when… you won’t get to have it any longer.
a little of both.
Happiness and Christmas go hand in hand for me, but it has been especially so for the past two years, this one included.
Well, I am alone this Christmas, but to combat the blues, I went to an Italian Family Christmas party. Could not have been more cheery. (food was awesome, too!)
I am depressed because Seasonal Affective Disorder is so chic and fashionable this year. All the cool kids have it!
It’s been depressing ever since my father passed away (he honestly made the holiday for me.) This one was especially depressing because for the past two years I sort of just curled up in a corner and kept to myself on Christmas because that’s how I best dealt with it and this year I was nearly forced to spend time with various people all day. It was fun, but for some messed up reason, extremely depressing.
Happiness.
I am one, as are so many, who have had loved ones die in their life..and the Holidays become bittersweet.. Tons of people have had children that died..my brother died 12 yrs a go and Chrismas ids still so different, the hole is always there. I get on. Christmas is for children. Adults just seem like they can’t wait until it’s over..it just seems to cause more stress than necessary..so why would it be joyful?? when everyone is more stressed. The presures to spend is incredible.. The kids want trealy high ticket gift items these days.. holiday are a time when all of sudden you’re with family you never see..then you don’t see them agaim..it’s all kinda strange.. Then there’s the expectation we place on ourselves..
Holidays are TIRING..and the weather doesn’t help either..at least here in the northeast..
Happiness…I’m one of the fortunate people who has a good family and good friends close by.
I hate this time of year so depression is the winner or rather loser. I think it did help avoiding those commercials so I did a lot of muting when those evil songs came on and I avoided as much as possibly using the h word and the c word.
Mostly happiness, but a little depression and anxiety thrown in – a bit of melancholy – but not as much as previous years.
Happiness.
Depression, actually.
It got to me this year because I couldn’t afford enough money to buy everyone what I wanted to get them.
All my family members live close enough to me. Atleast 30 minutes away.
Depression.
depression. I’m ok being single. it’s just all my friends went home for the holidays and I’m stuck with no one to talk to.
plus there have been alot of stressful events around the holidays (not just Christmas) in the past.
I’m happy to be with my family (and that this terrible year is OVER), a tiny bit sad I don’t have anyone interested in me now, and as next year starts my friends and I will have to go through the trauma of the first anniversary of our friend’s death… and I’ll be at college for both the anniversary of the accident, as well as his birthday. I don’t know what I’m going to do, or how I’m going to handle this by myself.
Since my divorce,it is depression..
Depression up until this Christmas. This year it’s been filled with Happiness.
It is not the holiday season that brings on the depression, it is the after holiday – putting away the Christmas decor – that brings it on. January is one of the most saddest months of my year.
i think it does.
Indifferent.When you are indifferent, you are neither happy nor depressed. Just like every other day of the year, just ignore the crazy people around you.
For me, it’s a little of both.
depression since the age of 12. got worse for 2003, and every year after.
You can shut the fuck up with that question!
I don’t need no ones reminding me of my loneliness!
It’s causing a bit of both, to be perfectly honest.
Alas, depression.
The BF is in Colorado over winter break…
Confusion, a little bit of both.
I would say both… happy to be with my hubby but sad to have his mom around during this time of the year … she can be quite a hand-full !!
Don’t disregard Seasonal Affective Disorder.
I try to be happy; after all, it’s supposed to be a celebration of the Saviour (even though we all know that it’s not his real birthday). But the fact is, i am away from most of my friends and family, i live in a town i alsolutely despise, hubby lost his good job and is now working at just over minimum wage and i am unable to work. And i don’t drive, so i am stuck at home. My kids and grandkids are in our hometown and i am unable to get to them, or buy them anything for Christmas. We are dirt-poor atm and our internet will prolly go bye-bye next. We don’t even have a TV now. We also have had to go to food banks just to get food to eat. So yeah, i am TOTALLY depressed this year. Thanks for asking.
A mix of both. I just had to drop my husband off at the airport yesterday morning and probably won’t see him for another 3 1/2 months, so yeah, it sucks. But I have a good life and I have my kids, so I have many reasons to be happy.
I JUST got depressed after all the commotion calmed down.
Usually it’s happiness. This year however, I ended up spending it alone since I live so far away from friends and family now… so that kinda sucked, but I made the most of it and kept myself busy enough to not notice it as much…
Somewhat of both- happiness because the holidays are just plain fun, but also sadness/depression because I couldn’t celebrate my Wiccan sabbat of Yule (which was on Dec. 21st) openly in my house because Mom’s an uber-fundementalist Christian and believes any other religion is devil-worship, whether or not the person knows it.