Melissa,

For a few years I felt exactly as you are right now.  Although I have all my family close by and we always get together for the holidays I still suffered from major depression during this time.  For these few years I volunteered and helped share Thanksgiving dinner for a homeless shelter in Lowell, this seemed to help me some, not sure why but it did.  Just thought I'd share my experience.  Have you discussed this with your Doctor?  Perhaps he can provide some assistance for you.  You chose a good topic to share.

 ~ Lexi ~

Have you ever investigated the possibility that you may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder?  I think it affects most people in ways they might not consciously pick up on during the winter months, but many people suffer from it just because they can't get enough sun exposure!  Taking vitamin D supplements (usually 1000 IU a day) is very important for everyone because a lot of us don't get enough sun.  Also, you can get special lamps that are used to treat SAD and often work very well at relieving symptoms.  Definitely something to look into, because being depressed is awful!

I just read where you are from, and my friend that has had great success with the lamps treating his SAD lives just outside of Boston!  Interesting.

Hi Lexi,

My doctor doesnt think I have this--he would have brought it up already; I already have depression as it is, and he knows it changes seasonally, but not as seasonal affective disorder.  It just temporarily changes then I do fine.  It seems to be a separate depression than the bipolar depression I have.  I'll ask him when I see him next, I see him Thursday.

Melissa. 

Shaunali, Like I said to Lexi above, my psychiatrist doesnt think I have SAD or he would have told me back in September when my mood started to change; he says he sees it in me every season during the changes, but never makes reference to it.  He's the type of doctor who would ask me about if I'd heard it or something, but I will ask him about it.

Melissa.

I bet some sort of volunteer work would really make you feel better because you know you would be making a positive difference in the lives of people who need it.  Also, there are always lots of volunteer activites during the holidays as well.  You also may enjoy speaking to people who have had similar difficulties in life about the challenges you have overcome and how you dealt with them.  Even just expressing yourself to others in similar situations may make you feel better, and like you are not alone.  Helping others really makes you feel as though you've changed the world, even if it's just in a small way.  And you can change the world in a big way for another person if you're lucky.

Good luck with everything, and I wish you the best for the future!

I can relate, I have Thanksgiving off but will work

Friday so couldn't travel if I wanted too. I will do

the usual, stay home have turkey or ham dinner

with hubby and take pics of the babies when they

eat theres. We can chat all day, I'll be around.

Thank you Shaunali, I'll keep this all in mind.  I'll see how things go in my life before I commit to anything.  Thanks for the advice.

Melissa.

Thanks sludge, I'll be around all day that day.  Would love to chat during the day.

Melissa.

I'll most likely be here if you gals are in a chatting mood. Things are very different for me these days.  It's tough going from huge family dinners to being alone.  Mel, looks like you're in a blogging mood. 

Yeah, these ideas keep coming up....

Melissa.