My birthday is New Year's Day and I've always hated it. Although my parents made a point of not giving me a joint Christmas/birthday present, it always seemed like the birthday present was just one they kept over for a week. Then 51 weeks with nothing while my siblings and kids at school had birthdays to look forward to. As an adult, everyone celebrates New Year's Eve so even going out for a meal on my birthday is either impossible or unsuccessful. And even my family seem incapable of grasping that no mail will be delivered on my birthday (UK public holiday) so cards are generally late, if they arrive at all.
When I got married my DH suggested I swapped my birthday to a date in the summer. But my mother was horrified so I didn't do it, and after she died I decided it was too late to bother.
It's reassuring to see that some of you have had similar experiences. My DH can't understand why I get depressed about it, when it's been the same for so long now, why I can't just accept it. And I don't know either - any psychiatrists out there that could explain it to me?!