Depression rarely openly announces itself. It is even more true of smiling depression. We get used to this the hard way. As the best part of our life gets swallowed in a yawning pit on end.
Smiling depression – a dangerous form of depression – wears a beautiful and attractive life on the outside. In all honesty, it is a sinking ship in a cold red sea on the inside. In that case, it can be hard to tell who is battling with it.
It doesn’t come with a big bang. Until the light leaves the heart, and we are left hopeless, full of anger, and in enormous pain.
Smiling depression is more common today than it has ever been. Said with a conviction that skyrocketing social media use worldwide hardly helps the narrative. It’s so easy to be judged by random persons who wouldn’t wear it if the shoe fits. For this reason, it is easy to lie and pretend all is right when it’s not.
Here’s all you need to know about smiling depression and how to deal with it.
Facts about smiling depression
It can happen to anyone. We often assume certain persons or some people can’t be depressed. That is not true. It happens to the best of us and wouldn’t knock on the door.
People with smiling depression have higher chances of harming themselves, for instance, committing suicide. That makes it more dangerous.
Most people feel they can manage it. Others pretend time will heal them, but it does not leave by keeping quiet or keeping to yourself.
Those experiencing this condition find it harder to open up. Like, speak freely about it to others who look up to them or whom they try to impress.
Smiling depression may have no clinical diagnosis, yet it is a mental issue that needs appropriate medical attention.
Signs & symptoms to look out for
The signs are subtle, but when you pay attention, you can identify them. You can spot it either in yourself or others.
Some of the symptoms of smiling depression are:
- Sudden change or irregular pattern in doing the things that usually give pleasure
- Long term issues in intimate relationships
- Irregular sleeping pattern
- Erratic behavior or emotions, for instance, anger.
Smiling depression is quite hard to detect. There’s no guarantee you will be able to identify all or some of these patterns. However, careful observation can reveal them in your loved ones.
Dangers of smiling depression
The dangers of smiling depression are enormous. It can lead to death by suicide. This condition requires urgent attention as early as possible, hence:
- Trouble sleeping
- Deteriorating health
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Strong suicide tendencies
- Poor mental health
Causes – the inner struggles
Smiling depression may result from numerous factors. Like the typical depression, the problem is in hiding it.
1/ Unmet expectations
It can be quite draining when you fail to meet certain expectations you have set for yourself. It can also be the outcome of the expectations set by substantial people in your life. It’s a commonplace not to want to be a failure.
2/ Unexpected life changes
Life events can be a lot to take in for most people. It could be the sudden death of a beloved or a beautiful relationship tearing apart. People hide these pains at times. The reason could be to avoid unnecessary attention or pity.
3/ Social media use
Social media can be very misleading, as it’s easy for users to project what they only want others to see. It promotes a false sense of reality and pretense. We assume all is well and fine when certainly not so. Of course, no one likes to appear a failure when others are succeeding.
Social media also induces smiling depression when its users face persistent judgment.
So, why do people hide depression?
- For fear of being judged
- It’s better not to appear weak
- For fear of being misunderstood
- Feelings of being a burden to others
- It’s easy not to acknowledge it and feel it is the best thing to do
- For fear of not being trusted to perform duties properly
- Personality issues. Some find it hard to share their pains with others.
- Belief people pass through way more complex matters. So, it’s better to keep to yourself.
Possible treatment options
Seek help from the right people. To solve smiling depression, you will have to do the opposite of what it is. Talk to someone about it. Then, you are on your way to healing.
You may open up to your loved ones or a professional about how you feel. Opening up to a loved one may help with closure.
Similarly, you must see your medical doctor. He would help you with walking through the condition. Your physician may refer you to a psychotherapist or psychiatrist for further checks.
It’s helpful to learn a thing or two about the condition to help others going through it.
Finally, know that you are not alone
It is easy to think you are alone in this experience. No! That’s not true. You are not alone. Seek help. You can get better in no time.
Trust someone to help you and be there for you. You are not alone, so don’t do it alone.
Hey Joyfreshers, do you experience smiling depression? How do you manage this condition, when you are happy and thriving outside while suffering on the inside? Let’s discuss below!
