Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas 🙂

I promise I’m not being a Grinch. Christmas is just a tough time of year for me, as it is for many people who live with depression.

From talking to friends and support group members, many people experience an increase of depression related symptoms this time of year.

This might be due in part to loneliness, isolation, anxiety, pressure from the media to create a perfect holiday.

I have mixed feelings. On one hand I recall fond Christmas memories of waking up to the house filled with the scent of baking cakes and hams, cousins rushing about to hang new curtains and balloons, parang music playing on the radio as my Ma delegated tasks. On the other hand I recall the overwhelming loneliness I experienced even in a large loving family.

Christmas alone

I love it and I hate it. Christmas.

I commemorate the true meaning of the season but I mostly cope by shutting myself out from the rest of the world. I did this last year when I spent the holiday alone.

I had planned to do the same this year but my friends wouldn’t have it. Bless their hearts. I am thankful to have the opportunity to spend the holidays with people who love me. Admittedly I don’t quite understand why people think it is such a bad thing to spend the time alone. Especially if one is a hermit like me or my father.

Anyway, I digress. I hope the season has been a great one for you and don’t forget if you need help you can ring the Samaritans, Mind or go to your closest A&E.

Love Alisha x