Smiling Depression: The Depression Behind The Smile
How many people do you think you know who seem happy but struggle with depressive thoughts on a day-to-day basis? Do you do this frequently? It is often believed that people with depression are incapable of having a life like any other. Perhaps you think that they spend their lives in bed and that they cannot function at work. The reality is that neither of these two ideas is correct. In fact, many more people than we think hide behind smiles to hide their depressive symptoms. This type of depression is known as smiling depression.
Not everyone experiences depression in the same way. In some cases it is practically impossible to identify them if you only analyze the way they live. You might be surprised to discover that there are those who smile, are highly functional, joking, and have the most enjoyable social lives. However, behind those smiles, hide feelings of sadness. When they come home, they can experience a tremendous emptiness within. A feeling of helplessness that can only be understood by those who have been through it.
Smiling depression
Many psychologists agree that the most surprising cases of depression are those of the so-called “smiling depression.” It wouldn’t be surprising if you’ve never heard of this term. One way to define it is as ” the appearance of happiness towards others when the symptoms of depression are experienced internally .”
It will be difficult for you to identify if someone close to you suffers from this type of depression. Those who live with her have learned to hide their emotions and show only what is expected of him or her. It is very common that they do not want to accept their depression or that they do not want to have to face their symptoms because they fear that others will consider them weak or strange.
You may be experiencing deep sadness over a failed relationship, a difficult career, a lack of purpose in your life, or unwanted loneliness. Sadness can also manifest itself as a constant when you feel that “something is not right.”
Olivia Remes, an expert in depression and anxiety at the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom), warns about the difficulty of identifying who suffers from this type of depression. Among the causes, he affirms that there is the perfect over-acting of one who suffers from depression. Those who suffer from this type of depression hide their symptoms so well that no one would suspect their true state of mind. In addition, he warns that “sometimes, they are people who have no apparent reason to be sad : they have a job, a house, friends and even a partner and children.”
Why is smiling depression so dangerous?
The smiling person living with depression may feel anxious, angry, fearful, tired, irritable, and hopeless. These feelings may not all appear together. It is even likely that for long periods of time no symptoms appear on a recurring basis.
Imagine smiling depression as a mask. Smiling depression sufferers give no sign of their problem to the outside world. They often hold a full-time job, a home, play sports, and have an active social life. With his mask everything seems perfect. However, they can suffer from panic attacks, low self-esteem, sadness, insomnia and, in some cases, suicidal thoughts. The latter is the most worrying part.
In general, those who live and accept that they have severe depression may have suicidal thoughts, but not the energy to act . However, those who suffer from smiling depression have the ability to plan and achieve it. It is usually the typical case of the person who committed suicide and was surprised because no one imagined that something was wrong in his life. This is what makes this depression the most dangerous type.
How to avoid negative consequences?
If you are living with this type of depression remember that there are alternatives that will help you. E This is one of the problems most treatable mental health . Whether through counseling or psychotherapy, it is possible to get ahead with success. Going to a psychology professional will help you get out of this situation and will provide you with tools so that you can face what is beyond you.
In case you suspect that a family member or loved one lives with smiling depression, prepare for their first reaction to be denial. It is not a lack of interest on your part, but there are masked negative feelings, such as fear or insecurity. Perhaps the person who suffers from it is not even aware that they have this problem and the word “depression” may sound exaggerated.
In addition to therapy, it is important to seek support from friends and family. Look for . This person will not only listen to you, they will also help you see things from another perspective. Don’t think that you will be a burden. Sometimes we forget that those around us love us.
As long as you continue to deny or avoid the problem, it will be impossible for you to find a real solution. When depressive thoughts are not fought, they tend to get worse and worse.
