Do the holidays make you depressed?

The New Intimacy

Do the holidays make you depressed?

Skip to last post
Set alerts
Updates
Forum search
Contributor: bayosgirl bayosgirl
I was just thinking. I have depression, and it seems like every year, I dread the holidays. It's expected to be such a happy time, and I just don't feel it. Then I feel guilty for feeling that way--not being able to enjoy the festivities. Can anyone relate?
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
Yes, the holidays make me depressed or add to existing depression
bayosgirl , deltalima , K101 , kitty1949 , Falsepast , MacNCheese , joolie , skeeterlynn , Living Doll , ViVix , Cowgirl-Cutie , dv8
12  (17%)
No, not at all
MissCandyland , invisiblehat , Lildrummrgurl7 , Isola , BlooJay , ARPKasso , Himmel , amazon , Trysexual , Bignuf , toy review man , Septimus , shorejen9 , damnbul12 , Rossie , Red Vinyl Kitty , hhh , Mrs.Tee , AmethystSmoke , meitman , married with children , True Pleasures , emiliaa , LavenderSkies , Efil , apple4me , table38792 , Geogeo , nikki0668 , Mikemanz , misterazor , woodsdragon , SMichelle , Stinkytofu10 , Allstars316 , Feisty , Rory , mpfm
38  (53%)
Ok, maybe a little bit
travelnurse , Pink Lily , AliMc , quinceykay , SassySam , Danneh , tequilafish , Inkkythesquid , kdlt , Gluesnffr , kmarsico , GONE! , Upyourreviews , ghalik , Honeymuffin33 , Taylor , Anne , octoberrain , jr2012 , Breas , shySEXXaddict , GonetoLovehoney
22  (31%)
Total votes: 72
Poll is closed
12/14/2012
  • Save Extra 50% On Sexobot Attachment
  • Upgrade Your Hands-Free Play!
  • Save 70% On Selected Items. Limited Quantity
  • Complete strap-on set for extra 15% off
  • Save 50% On Shower Nozzle With Enema Set
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
All promotions
Contributor: invisiblehat invisiblehat
I can sort of relate - I don't get depressed during the holidays, specifically, but I tend to dread going back home from school, while everyone around me is just so happy for school to be over.
12/15/2012
Contributor: Lildrummrgurl7 Lildrummrgurl7
To be honest, it's one of the things that lessens my anxiety and depression.

But I'm sorry you don't find the holidays as enjoyable.
12/15/2012
Contributor: deltalima deltalima
Quote:
Originally posted by bayosgirl
I was just thinking. I have depression, and it seems like every year, I dread the holidays. It's expected to be such a happy time, and I just don't feel it. Then I feel guilty for feeling that way--not being able to enjoy the festivities. Can ... more
I try to avoid the celebrations.
12/15/2012
Contributor: BlooJay BlooJay
I don't get depressed, but I'm not that big into the holidays.
12/15/2012
Contributor: Voir Voir
No they are kind of stressful and annoying but not really depressing.
12/15/2012
Contributor: AHubbyof2SexualMinds AHubbyof2SexualMinds
Usually I love the holidays. This year is different because I've lost a family member and had an enforced job change, so this year is a little different.
12/15/2012
Contributor: Himmel Himmel
I enjoy the holidays! Nothing to be depressed about imo
12/15/2012
Contributor: amazon amazon
A little crazy at times, but not depressed
12/15/2012
Contributor: Trysexual Trysexual
They used to when I was single, but not anymore.
12/15/2012
Contributor: travelnurse travelnurse
It's not as bad as it used to be but my Father died on Christmas and it has really screwed it all up!!
12/15/2012
Contributor: kitty1949 kitty1949
All of our extended family has passed, and we used to celebrate with them, so yeah, it's pretty depressing.
12/15/2012
Contributor: Pink Lily Pink Lily
I try and focus on the parts I like (decorating, gifting presents, eating ALL the food) and avoid the stuff I don't. Not exactly healthy I know, but it does help put me in a holiday mood.
12/15/2012
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by bayosgirl
I was just thinking. I have depression, and it seems like every year, I dread the holidays. It's expected to be such a happy time, and I just don't feel it. Then I feel guilty for feeling that way--not being able to enjoy the festivities. Can ... more
Holiday depression is a very common thing. If it is getting you very depressed or interfering with you having positive interactions with family and friends, then please seek the help of a trained health care professional. There is nothing to be ashamed of or hide. Help is out there for the asking and it can make your holidays far more pleasant if you can deal with the issues in a healthy way.
12/15/2012
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by Pink Lily
I try and focus on the parts I like (decorating, gifting presents, eating ALL the food) and avoid the stuff I don't. Not exactly healthy I know, but it does help put me in a holiday mood.
Sounds like a very good plan to me!
12/15/2012
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by Himmel
I enjoy the holidays! Nothing to be depressed about imo
Superb. Keep passing on the good spirits!!!
12/15/2012
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by amazon
A little crazy at times, but not depressed
Ha, Ha...I don't know anyone, including myself, who isn't!!! (a bit Crazy, that is), this time of year.
12/15/2012
Contributor: Suisei Suisei
I do find myself feeling a little down around this time of year. The combination of reduced daylight hours, my diminished love of the holidays and the guilt I feel when given gifts make it a little difficult for me at times.

I used to really enjoy this season as a child, because it seemed like the natural order of things; receiving gifts, etc. Nowadays, I feel it's excessive and unnecessary to give and receive so much at once. I also felt more religious meaning was invested in it in the past, but my beliefs have changed quite a bit over the years.

The magic is no longer there for me, I guess. Even my mom now considers it "just another day". It makes me sad to think about how much things have changed for me. Granted, I don't enjoy many things as much as I used to. Whether it's just a part of growing up or a pathological anhedonia, I don't know.

In any case, I still like the holidays. They just aren't quite what they used to be for me.
12/15/2012
Contributor: Septimus Septimus
I guess because I don't celebrate Christmas, I've always felt that the "holiday blues" don't really apply to me.
I've always found New Year's to be a very exciting time, and it's one of my favorite holidays of the year.
Throw in the fact that my anniversary's at the end of December, and it's a wonderful time of year for me and my fiance.
12/15/2012
Contributor: Falsepast Falsepast
Definitely. Especially when we can't buy shit.
12/15/2012
Contributor: shorejen9 shorejen9
Nope. I love the holidays but my dad and dad in law both get a bit sad around the holidays. Neither one knows why. ????
12/15/2012
Contributor: damnbul12 damnbul12
Quote:
Originally posted by bayosgirl
I was just thinking. I have depression, and it seems like every year, I dread the holidays. It's expected to be such a happy time, and I just don't feel it. Then I feel guilty for feeling that way--not being able to enjoy the festivities. Can ... more
No, not at all
12/15/2012
Contributor: SassySam SassySam
Quote:
Originally posted by Voir
No they are kind of stressful and annoying but not really depressing.
same
12/15/2012
Contributor: Rossie Rossie
No, I love the festive atmosphere of Christmas.

Since you're suffering from depression, you shouldn't feel guilty for not able to enjoy the festivities, as you cannot control how you feel, just relax and treat them like normal days.
12/15/2012
Contributor: Mrs.Tee Mrs.Tee
Quote:
Originally posted by bayosgirl
I was just thinking. I have depression, and it seems like every year, I dread the holidays. It's expected to be such a happy time, and I just don't feel it. Then I feel guilty for feeling that way--not being able to enjoy the festivities. Can ... more
Not at all the holidays are a joyous time of year where you are suppose to be celebrating with friends and family and the ones that you love. The only thing that is depressing and kind o annoying is holiday shopping. I can practical pull my hair out every year when I have to do it. Just thinking about the crowds and all the chaos that Im going to have to be in the middle of, thats why this year i did alot of shopping online and just got gift cards.
12/15/2012
Contributor: Danneh Danneh
The holidays tend to be high stress- but I do enjoy the break from school. So it's a little bit of this- a little bit of that. No easy answer for me.
12/15/2012
Contributor: Incendiaire Incendiaire
Sometimes. I feel like I'm supposed to be happier, and if I'm not then it starts to make me feel gloomy.
12/15/2012
Contributor: meitman meitman
I love the holidays, but I'm sorry to hear you're depressed.
12/15/2012
Contributor: True Pleasures True Pleasures
I don't get depressed, but it seems like the magic of the holidays gets less and less each year. I love them, but.. I don't know.. It's hard to explain.
12/15/2012
Contributor: skeeterlynn skeeterlynn
Didn't used to. Now it does though. The 29th will be one year since my gram passed.
12/15/2012