I keep busy throughout the year, but it's only on holidays where loneliness and isolation gets to me. I made the mistake of being completely honest with my family and close friends about being diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I didn't ask for any help from any of them, didn't talk too much about it, but just wanted to be honest with them. They quickly and quietly disappeared, one by one, as though I had the plague. It's been hurtful but I just have to keep going. Being a strong person hurts like hell.