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The Fibromyalgia Friends Discuss the Holiday Blues

© Tamara Peters

It's that time of year again. The time when many of us, for various reasons, begin to succumb to depression. Rather than a sense of anticipation and joy - the approaching holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, may bring about a sense of dread and despair. If you are convinced that your depression is holiday related - read on. You are not alone.

For others, this same time of year, when the days grow shorter and the weather grows colder, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may be the culprit. If you are unsure about the root of your depressive episodes, and think they may be due to SAD, you'll find information provided by The National Organization for SAD (NOSAD) here.

If you are convinced that your depression is holiday related - read on. You are not alone.

During a recent discussion of the Fibromyaglia Friends' Support Group, while in the process of sharing my overwhelming feelings of depression with them, and through the ensuing outpouring of emotions, I was struck by the fact that we all do have much more in common than not. I would like to share bits and pieces of our discussion, with you all, in the hopes that you'll find comfort in the realization that what you are experiencing is shared by many.

The feeling of aloneness is something I think we all need to share. It certainly does help to talk with others who understand what we are going through. One of the things I've noticed about myself is that the depression is preceded by what I call my "cloak of invisibility". I know I'm probably not alone in this either. Some days I swear that when I speak no one hears me and no one even sees me. I've finally learned it's the depression talking and it's connected to the feeling of aloneness. Whether we're truly alone or not I suspect this is a common trait for all of us who suffer with depression around the holidays. The feeling of isolation that comes even when we're in a crowd.

"I need to tell you that you are not unique!! This is the universal time for stress, depression, sadness, longing, regrets - all manner of nasty stuff. And I am trying to fight it too. ............Why are we depressed? Is it the advertising on TV? Happy families? Shiny turkey-sparkling trees-our parents not around? Being alone (sort of, never truly always) - sickness/pain? All of the above. And all those good meaning folks who say it is just one day (me included) are wrong - it is days of shopping, thinking, planning,

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