Bah Humbug :(

[Althea]

I've been havin' a REALLY hard time gettin' into the spirit of the holidays this year :( I'm having a tough time with my depression/bipolar disorder. I haven't found a med that works yet (the one I'm on seems to be makin' it worse). If it weren't for my kids I think I'd just skip Christmas entirely this year. I don't normally talk about my feelings like this 'cause I feel very ashamed of my illness but some good friends of mine told me that opening up about what's goin' on with me might help to ease some of my pain. I used to LOVE the holidays but this year I just don't care....about anything in fact. Sorry to sound like a whiner....that's not my intention. I'm just trying my best to be honest about what's going on.

[LeopoldPlumtree]

Bah Humbug is right!

Very sorry you're bummin'. I know you're not just whinin'. If lettin' it out makes ya feel any better, then by all means, open the floodgates...

[Althea]

Awwww....thanks Tony. You've been such a help through this bad time I'm goin' through.

[angelgodiva]

Cheer down, Jen-- we will all be here for you on the Forums, and I think you'll find that if you concentrate less on whatever may be wrong in your life and throw yourself into doing what you can to see that others have a wonderful holiday.
A lot of people are depressed at this time of year. In psychology class when I was in college, the professor liked to say that 'tis the season for suicide.
I was pretty depressed the year my last kid left the nest and I found myself alone at Christmas for the first time. I didn't know what to do, and then it occurred to me that if I made myself get out of bed and go down to the local soup kitchen or nursing home for some volunteer work, my own problems seemed to disappear.
You may not have the time to do that with kids at home, but you can get a list of names from a nursing home and send Christmas cards to some of the lonelier residents or maybe even bake cookies for them and go down with your kids to give them out. The older folks love to see children come visit.
At any rate, you can contact me if you want to talk any time. My email address is lovesbeatles@yahoo.com.
Have a merry Christmas, Jen. You deserve it.

[Enonemouse]

I've been havin' a REALLY hard time gettin' into the spirit of the holidays this year :( I'm having a tough time with my depression/bipolar disorder. I haven't found a med that works yet (the one I'm on seems to be makin' it worse). If it weren't for my kids I think I'd just skip Christmas entirely this year. I don't normally talk about my feelings like this 'cause I feel very ashamed of my illness but some good friends of mine told me that opening up about what's goin' on with me might help to ease some of my pain. I used to LOVE the holidays but this year I just don't care....about anything in fact. Sorry to sound like a whiner....that's not my intention. I'm just trying my best to be honest about what's going on.
Well Jen we all love ya and don't think your whining at all. I know what not feeling like Christmas is all about last year my tree didn't go up until the 23rd and 99.9% of the time it is up before the first. We love ya loads Jen and any time you need to vent go for it girl!!!!

Love & Support
EnonEmouse

[Althea]

Thanx SO much Angel & Shelly. Just reading your positive posts put a smile on my face. And yes, Angel, some volunteer work might help get me out of my head so to speak. I'll have to check into it. And Shelly, I've been doin' a lot of venting lately. It's a slow process (I'm SO used to bottling up my feelings) but little by little I'm opening up....and it really has been helping. My hubbie has been calling me like three times a day from work just to check on how I'm doin'. I think he really appreciates me being open and honest about what's goin' on instead of just walkin' around like death warmed over.

Luv ya both (((((HuGs))))

Jen

[MattInVegas]

If you need someone to talk at, Give me a shout too.
I'm lonley without my special person. I could use the company.
Jen, you helped me make my site real, I'm here for you in return.

[Althea]

Thanks, Matt. I really appreciate your kindness.

Luv 'n' (((HuGs)))

Jen