Do Jehovah's Witnesses get the "Holiday Blues" that other people get?

Question

I know other religious people and non-religion people get anxiety and depression around this time of year but do Jehovah's Witnesses - who don't celebrate any holiday get depressed this time of year, too? My husand's uncle is a Long standing JW and he committed suicide today. If you say yes - then please explain why. I used to get very depressed at this time but that's because I've always lived very far away from my family and I was lonely - and reminded of it with all the pictures of perfect families and everyone having plans and me being forced to face 'the day' alone. Why would JW person feel depressed BECAUSE of the holidays if they have Never celebrated those days?

Answer 1

Sometimes people get seasonal depression-- not because of the holidays but because of the weather. A reduction in sunshine contributes to much anxiety and depression.

Another contributing factor may be an increase of activity at work or during their daily routine... I'm a JW who suffers horrible anxiety and it becomes harder for me to shop and socialize because there are simply more people out and about... it's a sort of "sensation overload" for me at times: too many people, too much noise, too much activity (movement, cars etc), too much chaos.

Then too, with regard to your uncle, perhaps it was just a coincidence that he chose this particular time of year to die. Did he have any health problems, or problems in other areas of his life?

I'm very sorry for your loss.
(((((hugs and best wishes for you and your family)))))

Answer 2

I got depressed when I celebrated the holidays. Since becoming a Witness, I no longer celebrate. I am also no longer depressed during the holidays. I get the blues sometimes throughout the year. Most people get the blues at some time or another.

During the holiday season, however, I am feeling something entirely different. And it goes away once January 5th rolls around.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 3

im sorry for ur loss.The hoilday blues is more of a season depression i think because there is lack of sunlight and its very busy for many companies this time of year so people get over worked with long hours and then even less time outside because of long work days. Many people will commite suicide because life is getting hard for them and they feel they can't take it anymore. having a faith or not.

I have never felt depressed and even when i was younger i Never felt left out from what the other kids were doing in school My parents would come home on random days through out the year and give my brother and i gifts for no reason. we always had what we needed and we got some stuff we wanted from time to time...

I always hear my friends who are not JW's talking about how much they have spent and how much they still have to spend and how they will need to work longer to pay off their credit cards and such and i look at them and say "dont u feel so happy u dont have to buy me something." we laugh and they usually agree because its more stressfull for people who have to continue celebrating these holidays where they spend so much.

But yes getting depressed this time of year can happen but not alwas because we dont celebrate the holidays. like someone said if they have started studying recently and decided not to celebrate this year it can be hard but ur husbands uncle was a long standing jw and i dont think this was necessarily the case. but i still feel bad for ur loss

Answer 4

I am sorry for the loss of your husbands uncle. I dont know the circumstances, and there could be many reasons someone felt the need to end their life.

I was raised as a JW. I've never celebrated any holidays. I dont feel like I am missing out on anything. I have plenty, and so do my kids!

I dont get the "holiday blues" but I notice I am not as happy in the winter time. It could be S.A.D.-seasonal affective disorder. I dont feel depressed that I dont celebrate holidays. I dont need gifts to feel loved.

Answer 5

I know the JW kids we lived near while growing up seemed to get more agitated during the holidays, because they knew everyone else were celebrating these holidays. Not to mention just the changes in weather, fall and winter usually have a depressing effect on every group, except skiers hehe.

Just because they don't celebrate the holidays, doesn't mean they are unaffected by the social aspect of the communal spirit that draws us together during the holidays.

Answer 6

Me too "Seasoned With Salt" , I have never gotten depressed because of the Holidays.Im glad I dont celebrate them! I think the reason alot of people get depressed is because of the weather though. I am an outdoors, sunshine gal too and I spend alot of time out there. But when winter comes its really tough because I dont get to spend as much time as I would like outside and it seems like the winter season is just so dreary and dark. Im counting the days till Spring with you!

Answer 7

Maybe because of the fact that even though they dont celebrate it the rest of their family is all together celebrating it as well as friends and etc, this leaves them out of the picture and then all those ones are talking about memories and what not of gethering together on x-mas and other holidays and they cant relate because they werent there..,i think you would feel left out...just because they dont celebrate it and are a certain religion doesnt mean they dont have feelings.

Answer 8

I am a bible student, I do not have anything to do with anything that is not in the bible, most holidays and theings of this old world came from Babylon and as to revelations the spirit of Babylon will be here at the second coming of Jesus. I see very little sense in what people do, but I do see so much waste that is is more than a sin, it is shameful, it could support the poor for a year.

Answer 9

It seems rather odd to equate the "holiday blues" with either Halloween or Election Day (this question was written the first week of November). The bible teaches that health issues, human imperfection, and pressures of the current flawed system of things can affect even a godly person; perhaps one or all of those contributed to the mental state of the questioner's family member.
...(Ecclesiastes 7:7) For mere oppression may make a wise one act crazy



No.
(to the first question in bold).

If anything, Jehovah's Witnesses become particularly energized during "the holiday season" between late November and New Year's Day. Sincere questions from coworkers, classmates, and neighbors may provide unique opportunities to discuss ope's faith, and it is this "public declaration" that comforts and happifies a true Christian (such as a witness of Jehovah).

(Romans 10:10) For with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation.

(Hebrews 10:23) Let us hold fast the public declaration of our hope without wavering, for he is faithful that promised.

(Hebrews 13:15) Through [Jesus] let us always offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_04.htm

Answer 10

I was raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. I've never celebrated a holiday in my life, and I've never wanted to. This doesn't make me feel depressed in the slightest. It's more of a relief, really.

But I do tend to feel "down" more often in the winter. I'm very outdoorsy, and I hate being cooped up inside all winter. I'm already counting the days until spring!