Is it weird being depressed during christmas?

Question

I don't know why, but I feel that every Christmas I've spent without my family from Italy, I feel depressed, but this year, they came, and I still feel depressed. Idk why. Do I need help?

Answer 1

Cristmas, to me, is a very "remembering" time. A very flashback-rich time where you almost automatically go back to past Christmases, from childhood to last year. The memories you have of past Christmases may be coming back to haunt you. But they're simply memories of past depressing Christmases. Today I was depressed thinking how the days of waking up to find tons of presents under the tree was never going to happen again, like it did when I was a kid. Just, memories can come back and bite you; try not to let them.

Answer 2

Occasions tend to have memory associations, Christmas particularly. Every Christmas I think about my childhood and remember great times, with loved ones no longer here.

I try and use this natural nostalgia by being as giving and loving as they were in thier honor. It makes it less sad for me.

It is more difficult for some than others but in the end, Christmas is a time of rushing, and buying, and driving here and there and deadlines. It is stressful. We often get overtired, overstimulated, and overstressed.

Simplify the Holliday. Next year, shop online or make your gifts if you have the time, or use gift cards.

If you traditionally have the huge dinner, change the theme, do something simple that your family particularly likes.

It isn't about the gifts or the food, it is about sharing time with those we love. Time is the most valuable gift of all.

Need help? Na, but consider getting one of those lamps, many suffer with Seasonal Disorder due to the lack of sunlight.

The best holiday blues cure I know is to share what you have with someone who would otherwise be neglected or alone.

I remember as a child (father stationed in Taiwan) taking baskets of food and treats to some of the poor farm families who lived near to us. In my Family giving to the less fortunate was always the 1st. Christmas activity. And it was always in person.

It became sort of routine Christmas day, to take some of last years toys to the kids of the farmers. We didn't know the language, but a toy needs no language.

This to me is what Christmas will always be about, and I am never depressed.

Answer 3

I feel the same way every year. This year my mother disowned me. We had a fight and I tried to apologize and was rejected.My two children and her are my only relatives. Christmas media has put pressure on us to be happy and show good will and spend money we may not have.I think the short days and long nights has been shown to have a very negative effects on our moods.Perhaps, we should purchase those portable lights that mimic real sunlight in our bedrooms. It's a thought. I hope you feel better.It could be seasonal depression. See if you feel better as the days get longer. Keep a journal and record your mood daily. This might help you in the future to curb these sad feelings. Hang in there. You are not alone.

Answer 4

No, I am EXTREMELY depressed right now. no friends and no girl friend to spend time with and three quarters of my family doesn't want anything to do with me and the rest are a bunch of uncaring idiots. also the girl i had a BIG crush on just died last month at the age of 17, granted most people do not have the same reasons and a lot of people are more depressed then others but ya a lot of people do get depressed at this time of year I will feel worse and worse until new years were i will just sit in my room and cry at midnight while watching everyone on TV have other people to be with then I will bottle it all up and the cycle will start again next holiday season most likely worse next year since more is bound to happen. such is my luck.

P.S. Plus I live alone with my mother who is hard to deal with and I still miss my father who died in "99".

Answer 5

There's nothing what-so-ever weird about being depressed at Christmas - I've been there myself. It's a very 'artificial' time of year when we all feel obliged to join in with the jollity's. That pressure can make you feel even worse as you look at everyone else around you. I would say you do need to see a doctor about this if it's been going on for long.

Answer 6

It is not weird being depressed during the christmas or any hoilday season. You have been depressed cause you were not with your family, now, you are for the first time in years. So yea you would proably still feel depressed. You aren't use to them being there with you. Give yourself some time , and hopifully before the hoilday is over you will not be depressed.

Merry Christmas

Answer 7

hey, I totally feel you. I get depressed around the holidays since I too moved away from my family. Even if I visit, it's never the same as when I was a child. Its very normal to feel this way, especially if you are apart from loved ones. Just know you are not alone, and try to think of the things your thankful for in your life right now. No one has to be alone on Christmas! Get involved in your community... sing carols, do anything you need to do to spread Christmas cheer, and before you know it you'll start new tradition of your own.

good luck and happy holidays

Answer 8

What you are feeling is completely normal under the circumstances. Contrary to what we have all been fed, Christmas is not always a good time for many folks. Particulary when you are missing your loved ones. No, you do not need help - you need to get "Christmas" in perspective and if possible, spend time with your family (no matter what time of year !!).

Answer 9

You may just be overwhelmed and stressed out. Many people develop "winter depressions" usually beginning in the later fall. This is believed to be due to decreased exposure to sunlight. This reduces levels of serotonin in the brain and increases levels of melatonin. This causes you to get cranky and irritable, sad, sleep more, have more fatigue and tiredness, etc. Simply getting outside more in the daytime or buying special lamps can dramatically reduce the symptoms. Alot of people who get depressed around the holidays are probably suffering from seasonal affective disorder.

Answer 10

no cHRISTMAS DEORESSION IS VERY NORMAL, SOME (sorry I had caps lock on) think its stress others the lack of sunlight or sunlight affective disorder. While we can only deal with the stress as stress, tanning salons have helped me in the past. When I use them I go daily but twice a week seems okay. BTW countries near the equator with lots of sun breast cancer is almost unknown but skin cancer id elevated. somewhere there must be a happy medium. I tried to find the references on the net but info overload if anyone knows where the studies are I would appreciate being told.