Birthday depression is something that refers to feeling sad, apathetic or disinterested in celebrating and thinking about one's birthday.

Adding to the sadness, birthday depression can include a sense of low energy or focusing on the past which includes everything that one may or may not feel accomplished so far. These feelings could arise days before a person’s birthday, on the actual day or after some time as well.

Potential Causes and Reasons

“For some, it could be tied to previous negative experiences with birthdays. Others may reflect on their lives and may not feel they are where they wanted to be by that specific age,” says Dr. Lira de la Rosa. “For others, birthdays can come during times when they are going through something difficult.”

There could be several reasons why somebody could experience birthday depression. Other causes as to why someone may feel down during their birthday could include the following:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Fear of getting old

• History of family drama on birthdays during childhood

“All of these and many other reasons can contribute to feeling sad during a birthday,” says Dr. Lira de la Rosa,

states that all of these reasons are normal and they are valid as well.

Symptoms

Dr. Lira de la Rosa explains that many of the symptoms that's related to birthday depression are similar to symptoms of regular depression.

Certain signs could indicate that one might be experiencing birthday blues, but they do not limit to the following:

• Change in one's mood that lasts for several days surrounding one's birthday.

• Feeling low or sad than usual.

• Crying more often

• Thinking about past and on the unaccomplished goals.

• Lack of interest in doing what one typically enjoys

• Changes in sleep

• Changes in appetite

• Difficulty in focusing or concentrating

• Physical aches or pains

Sources: Very well Mind