Christmas Sucks.

For many of us with depression, December is the worst month of the year. The days are short, sunlight is in short supply with so many days overcast, and Christmas arrives. If you're like me, Christmas is intensely depressing. I alternate between crushing despair and a desire to punch Santa Claus in the face. I love the Grinch, and when people tell me I'm "a real Scrooge", I take it as a compliment.

Over the years, I have managed to come up with a few coping mechanisms for this time of year, and I'd like to share some of them with you. I hope that they help a little in getting through to January.

First of all, get your Christmas shopping done as early as possible, preferably before December. Why? That way, you can avoid malls. Few things are as depressing to me as being in a mall in December, surrounded by the colourful decorations and relentless Christmas music that mock the pain in my heart and soul. Being reminded that this is supposed to be a happy time of year only makes depression worse. It can make you feel like everyone is happy but you. I don't need to feel so alone, and neither do you. So the sooner your shopping is done, the easier it is to avoid malls.

Second, make plans with friends for the days after Boxing Day. Planning a nice time with friends on the 28th gives you something to look forward to. And if you're like me, and you feel like it's a huge relief that Christmas is over and done with, then going out and having some fun and socializing will help to build on that upward swing of your mood, however slight it might be. It's easier to avoid the dread of Christmas' approach if you can focus on the fun you'll have afterwards.

Third, consider avoiding any people you know who will probably make your life miserable. There are members of my family I don't get along with and never have. Having to interact with them is often stressful, sometimes even painful. Add X-mas to the mix, and sinking into despair becomes a real possibility. You probably can't avoid the events where these people will be, but you can avoid them at the event. If my father, for example, starts in on me, I excuse myself to "go to the bathroom", and when I leave the bathroom, I simply go to another room and start up a conversation with someone else. I've gotten pretty good at spending an entire day at my parents' house and not interacting with my father. He stresses me out, and I don't need that, so I avoid him. I used to be afraid of offending him, but I learned that it's better to offend him than it is to let his negative comments drag me down. When I go to see my family at Christmas with a PLAN, then I don't get so stressed out about going. Instead of thinking "Oh, God, I dread going to my parents' house", now I think "okay, I'm going to my parents' house. Remember to avoid Dad and hang out with my brother." It really helps make things less stressful, and the less stress you have, the better you will feel. And if you really can't handle being somewhere, call in sick! Seriously! I've skipped one Christmas by calling and saying I had the flu. Mention the words "vomit" and "diarrhea", and people will not want you over, and most of them will be sympathetic. Don't be afraid to do what you think is best for YOU.

I hope that this helps anyone out there who struggles with this time of year. And remember, if you're feeling suicidal, PLEASE GET HELP IMMEDIATELY. If you have to, GO TO THE HOSPITAL. Christmas sucks, but it's not worth dying over. Hang in there. Keep fighting, and soon, Christmas will be over, and the days will start slowly getting longer again. Just don't give up.