Suicide and depression during the holidays....

When I was much younger, I was always depressed and suicidal during the holidays. The commercials showing close families and portraying all the togetherness of the season was seriously painful for me. I felt alone, had no close family to go to and was isolated from my friends. I isolated myself subconciously during the holidays with the excuse that it hurt too much for me to see others and their families together and being so happy. I realize now I was jealous of the closeness and love and also was just feeling sorry for myself. At the time I had no perspective and the feelings were very real.

Now I am very happy during the holidays and make sure no one is left out or forgotten. It was amazing how much changes age and making my own family has brought!! I just want to let people know they are not alone, others can relate and help and it doesn't take your actual family to make you part of one, just togetherness with others.

Not really sure. I've generally been okay in the holidays although everyone has the winter blues.

I'm spending Christmas alone this year (wanted it to be this way) so I'll see how that works out.

Time changes make my moods swing. In general, when it gets dark earlier I get depressed. There is a link between the vitamin D provided by the sun and depression. I used to use a sun lamp during winter months to fight off the depression. It helped some.

I don't mind the family aspect. For me, it's the lack of sun and gloomy weather. It's not good for my moods. I generally have to up my antidepressants during the winter.

My mom's mother would always try to suicide over the holidays (finally succeeded when my mom was a senior in high school). As a result my mother becomes over-enthusiastic around the holidays to stave off the painful memories and to keep herself in the 'Now'. Thankfully, my brother and I grew up with rather cheery perspectives about the holidays and don't feel depressed about it. I don't even miss my ex-husband during this time.

Although I noticed my SAD affecting me more after the holidays because winter was just so long in Montana - between New Year's and Memorial Day (first planting of the garden) would be the longest, darkest time of the year with nothing to focus on. Florida is a bit easier since the sun's out more often.

The only really negative emotion I have during the holidays would be annoyance at the financial situation, which is still the same as it is the rest of the year.

I tend to get depressed around the holidays because of past Christmases' bad events. In addition, when my family gets together, they get very critical and they're difficult to be around, which leads to everyone being upset and lashing out at each other.

I used to get really suicidal every year right after Christmas. It was almost ridiculous because I even knew it was coming, so it was almost like PMS or something, where it seems like because you know it's there, it's cyclical, and it's explainable, you should be able to overcome it.

I still get depressed, and I think for me it's mostly the amount of darkness, more than the coldness or other factors. I grew up in the tropics and I think I was totally imprinted not just by the weather always being hot but also by the days being closer to the same length all year. I have another bout of seasonal depression type stuff in mid-to-late February -- I used to call it my Valentine's Day depression -- and that's more like "oh, c'mon, can winter just be over already!"

But I think another big factor for me getting over being REALLY depressed during the holidays was that I stopped teaching. If you're on an academic schedule, the holidays can be even crazier because you have to deal with the end of the semester, then frantically catch up on holiday stuff, and then just when you're starting to relax, BAM! the new semester hits.

I have depression, and the holidays are often a difficult time for me. I remember one Christmas in particular I spent in bed. I was invited to my relative's house and I stayed home. Could not bring myself to get up. I'm hoping this year is better.

I hope this year is good for those of you who get depressed!! I want to let you know that you are welcome to message me if you want someone to 'talk' to!! You have friends here and sometimes just getting everything out can be very cleansing and beneficial.

I'm really depressed most of the year, lately. I think the holidays make it worse, for me at least, because I don't have a job right now. I feel extremely guilty because I know I can't afford gifts that people want. I can't speak for everyone of course.