Is Christmas taking its toll on your relationship?

I think it is with mine.  I'm sure its not just Christmas though, that just brought it out.  Anyone else in the same boat?

This time of year has been extremely tough on me the last 10years.  It usually starts about September and doesn't leave until April.  I think I have SAD, but that is not the whole picture.  I lost alot between those months in several different years. As my husband said of me on a different site, I am extremely nostalgic, or sentimental. Deaths,divorce,getting fired from my job,losing a family pet all happened during this time. I then with the holiday stress, I go into my slump. Bringing out the Christmas decorations was rough this year, too.  Finally got rid of the ones from my past marriage and gave them to my kids. What ever they don't want they threw away. You see, one year their Dad told them the day after Christmas that he was divorcing me. So now the trend continues for them,too.

Yes it does add stress to your marriage. I am in a very loving relationship now. If it wasn't for his compassion, I would be in bed still instead of up and getting ready for work. Understanding from you mate regarding this disease is extremely important.

Well, I thought I could just plow through it but then last night I'm informed of new plans for Christmas. The original plan was for his daughter, his mother, he and I to have a nice dinner at home. That sounded great. I enjoy cooking for the holidays and I wanted to keep it small. Last night I'm informed there's been a change. Now we will be spending the entire day at his mother's house and she's having a local grocery store bring in turkey and stuff. That's not all that big of a deal but still is disappointing. But, his entire family is going to be in this tiny little house and his entire family hates one another and fight constantly. I don't think I can deal with this much drama. I need to find a way to escape and not look like a bad guy.

Yes, I always spend Christmas with my family.  Its very small and always very enjoyable.  This relationship is only a year old and I am trying to make his Christmas a good one because he hasn't had a "real Christmas" for at least the past 8 years.  I've gone all out for him in every way and let things slide on my side.  That's probably why I'm depressed.  He's got so many issues that I've never really had to or want to deal with.  I guess I thought that those issues wouldn't effect me.  Boy, was I wrong.  I think Christmas is just making me see that now. 

I think it is great that most of you all have family and people to spend the holidays with. Cherish that. I am single and alone and have spent the holiday by myself for the past 15 years..Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years I spend alone - just me and my two cats..sometimes I go to the homeless shelter on Christmas to serve meals. I wish I had family to quarrel or bicker with or to just enjoy. My friends are always out of town with their families, or I would invite them over.

Thanks Punky,

This is a time of year when many of us depressed folks can sometimes feel bad for ourselves, myself included. I wrote down all my blessings on a sheet of notebook paper and put it on the fridge. That way, I can see it every day, when I start to feel sorry for myself.