How has Christmas affected your Mental Health?

[HangingbaublesofBethlehem]

I'm not doing so well and wondered if I'm the only one? I'm on a low dose of Sertraline for anxiety and sleep problems and was planning to come off it completely but xmas has sent me back to a point where I think I need to increase my dose again.

I can't stand the xmas tree being up still and we have family over today but as soon as they are gone I think I'll be taking it down. I hate the fact that the whole house is trashed and there is no space for new toys even though I had a big clear-out yesterday. I hate the fact that my own bedroom is in such a state that it's stopping me sleep. Also up all night with dd3 who I am trying to get not to breastfeed all night. I think the cutting back on breastfeeds has meant ironically, less sleep for me and also less endorphin release from the feeds.

I feel shit and feel like Christmas is the grinch who stole my mental health [grr].

Anyone else want to commiserate? I'm off to pop another anti-depressant I think.

Woudl love to crawl into bed but have both sets of grandparents comign over for lunch in 1.5 hours.

Sorry to hear you are feeling low, do you think getting back to your normal routine will help?

Christmas itself is quite good for my mood because it has lots of my favourite things - lovely people, giving/getting presents, colourful lights, lazing around etc. although horrible cold illness has been trying to erode my mood.

Big crash today though, probably from fight I got into with someone last night - which might have been avoided had I been getting bit more sleep and wasn't feeling so ropey physically.

ahh yes i find christmas very stressful. i haven't been on ad's for some years now, but the lead up to christmas always makes me consider going back on them

with regard to night feeds... keep them! when i nightweaned ds2 i just could NOT sleep at all!

Hanging whatnots - you really do have a lot on your plate with 3 children and one just a baby. My kids are all grown but I remember the feeling of being pissed off with the house being in a mess and having to cope with grandparents etc. Like you, all the des used to come down on 1st Jan as I was glad to see the back of Christmas - it always made me feel tense.

I suffered a severe episode of depression last year and was in hospital for 3 months and am not still fully recovered. I could crawl under the duvet when I am down but it is the worst thing to do as it does nothing to promote recovery. However for you, with a young baby I can see the absolute allure of duvet diving and having a lovely doze. Your day will come - it's incredible how quickly the years go by and your present state of mentalhealth will improve over time. Remember: "This too shall pass"

Incidentally you set yourself a big task with 2 sets of g/ps iver for lunch. Do you feel you have to carry on in spite of the fact that you are knackered and weary of Christmas. Give yourself a break or as much of a one as you can manage and don't invite anyone else for meals. G/Ps should be cooking for me. That's what I'm doing later when my g/chdren and their parents arrive.

Christmas has gone - spring will come, the baby will sleep through the night, you can get the house straightened out and there will be brighter days ahead BUT I do SO know what you mean about wanting to crawl under the duvet. Do you have a supportive H or P.

Sending best wishes and hope you start to eel better over time (which you WILL) most definitely.

That should read "all the decs came down"