It coincides with the Holidays but people with depression are also at higher risk for Seasonal Affective Disorder. My hubby thinks there is nothing wrong with me that going out to dinner won't fix. But even my 10 year-old daughter has noticed that there are 2 sides to mommy. I am on anti-depressants. In general, men tend to be more external than women.
Women tend to internalize more and that puts women at higher risk for depression.
Going out to dinner is an activity that gets one out of the immediate environment and at least puts the pain away momentarily. Sometimes it does help to just get away from it all. Lithium and tegretol are used for bi-polar disorder and maybe that will help stabilize your moods. It depends on what it is. Sometimes the dose has to be lowered and you have to build up gradually to it.