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Smiling Depression: Why People Hide Their Pain Behind a Happy Face

The concept of “smiling depression” is a hidden form of depression where individuals appear happy on the outside but struggle internally. People who are depressed by smiling often face unique challenges, such as societal expectations and the fear of being misunderstood, which encourage their fake facade.

What is Smiling Depression?

The term smiling depression is applied to people who are dealing with depression and smiling at the same time. Individuals with smiling depression might seem fine on the outside and maintain their regular energy levels around people, but as soon as they are home or alone, they can unmask their true feelings, and they usually collapse emotionally.

There is a strong paradox associated with appearing really happy while suffering from emotional pain internally. Those struggling with smiling symptoms of depression might have a successful career or thriving social life, but inside, they are still contending with feelings of despair, worthlessness, or inadequacy.

Those same individuals might be fearful of discrimination from their loved ones or from the workplace if they reveal how they really feel, so they continue to mask it and avoid getting help. Smiling depression often goes unnoticed and undiagnosed because it doesn’t fit traditional stereotypes.

smiling depression

Reasons for Smiling Depression Symptoms

There are many common reasons individuals with smiling depression conceal their true feelings.

Fear of being judged or misunderstood

As mentioned, one of the biggest reasons that people who are depressed but smiling hide their true feelings is the fear of being misjudged or understood by other people.

This can look different from one person to the next. For example:

  • John’s wife might regularly call him her Superman, so he is fearful of admitting his depression because he doesn’t want to let her down.
  • Mary might be a single mother, and she doesn’t want her family to say her depression is because her husband left her because she knows it’s not.
  • Alan doesn’t want to let his team down at work by showing just how much the pressure is overwhelming him and leading to feelings of despair since he was the one who worked so hard for his most recent promotion.

There are also several pressures that people can face.

Pressures

For some, smiling depression symptoms persist because an individual feels pressure to maintain a positive image in social and professional settings. Consider Alan from the example above.

He may have worked for several years to reach a position within his company that everyone knew he wanted, but now that he has it, he struggles with smiling depression and doesn’t want to admit that the achievement was meaningless.

Expectations

For other people, the signs of smiling depression persist because of cultural and societal expectations around mental health and emotional resilience. Some might feel that they aren’t able to talk about it, especially given their culture, their community, and even their gender.

Problems That Come From Hiding Depression Symptoms

While those who have smiling depression might think that continuing to put on a brave face and hide how they feel is for the best or doesn’t have any negative consequences, this is untrue.

Masking depression can create a false sense of stability, which makes it challenging for loved ones and professionals to identify how they feel inside and to be honest about their emotions. Meanwhile, they are still dealing with subtle signs and symptoms like constant frustration or irritability, a complete lack of interest in activities they once loved, and problems with sleep, which they could attribute to other things.

Subtle Signs of Smiling Depression

Although someone with smiling depression might be depressed but smiling and hiding their inner pain, that inner pain will start to creep out with subtle signs, including:

  • Persistent sadness masked by a cheerful or optimistic demeanor
  • Sudden shifts in mood or emotional “ups and downs”
  • Lack of enjoyment or fulfillment in previously loved activities despite appearing engaged
  • Increased fatigue, irritability, or feeling overwhelmed, often concealed behind a smile

It is not uncommon for someone who is hiding their symptoms to also deal with physical manifestations like unexplained digestive issues and headaches that are often caused by the ongoing stress associated with trying to persistently mask emotions.

The Impact of Smiling Depression on Mental and Physical Health

smiling depression

Having depression and smiling despite it can be very detrimental to your health. While someone with traditional depression might find it difficult to get out of bed, an individual who is dealing with smiling depression will force themselves to deal with whatever issues come their way, maintaining regular energy levels and pretending that everything is fine.

They don’t have problems being socially withdrawn or demonstrating the typical indicators of mental health issues and suicidal ideations.

This means that those with smiling depression are more likely to commit suicide without any indicators beforehand.

Moreover, smiling depression takes a significant toll on mental health, including increased feelings of isolation and helplessness, which contribute to a higher rate of suicidal thoughts compounded by unresolved emotional pain and isolation.

The strain of continuously masking emotions can lead to burnout as well as physical health issues that are related to things like chronic stress.

Summing Up

Overall, smiling depression symptoms might look different from traditional depression and often go unnoticed not just by friends and family but by the individual who is struggling the most. It is not for the best to try to maintain a happy demeanor on the outside and keep your true feelings not just from others but from yourself. This leads to a higher risk of physical and mental health issues from the strain, makes it difficult for loved ones, and has a higher association with suicide.

Those who are experiencing smiling depression should feel safe and comfortable seeking help. You don’t have to deal with your pain alone. It is essential that we promote awareness and Foster supportive environments to help people who are currently hiding their struggles recognize that it’s okay to appear weak or out of control and it’s okay for things not to be perfect or for energy levels to be low now and again.

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