Depression and Christmas

Christmas is supposed to be a fun, exciting, family orientated time of the year, right? Yes, sure for those with family and friends to share it with, but not for everyone and especially not for those unfortunate enough to be debilitated with the illness which is depression.

For most people, Christmas is filled with the excitement of sharing quality time with our loved ones. Looking forward to warm welcomes, cheerful smiles, gorging on endless supplies of turkey and chocolate treats. Yet there are those who seem to be forgotten at this time of year, those that dread Christmas with every inch of their being. Filled with anxiety and self-doubt the emotions felt by a depressive can and do become distorted, out of control and instead of being joyful and excited, the exact opposite happens. A depressed individual fears Christmas, wished it was just