How Concealed Depression May Be Harmful To Your Mental Health
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Depression is a complex mental health condition marked by low mood, fatigue, feelings of hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. People may recognize certain symptoms of depression in others, but not everyone will show the signs we typically associate with this mental illness. Sometimes, some individuals may show no external signs at all, keeping their internal experience concealed from others. This is sometimes called “hidden depression.”
Someone who is hiding their depression may experience fatigue, social withdrawal, and extreme sadness while giving the external impression that things are going well and that they are feeling fine. Some may go about their day with a smile while feeling miserable on the inside. In this article, we’ll explore hidden depression and its possible harmful effects.
Potential risks of hidden or concealed depression
Also known as smiling or walking depression, hidden depression can be hard to spot, as the individual with it may conceal, deny, or ignore their feelings, not wanting others to know they are hurting. However, keeping these feelings to yourself without seeking help may bring a range of health risks. Potential risks of hidden depression or concealed depression include emotional exhaustion and physical health issues. Included below are a few possible risks of concealing depression symptoms.
Hiding and suppressing your emotions may become a habit
Some people with hidden depression may think their feelings are not important or worry that others may see their depression as a weakness. However, hiding your emotions may lead to an unhealthy habit of keeping too much to yourself, which may have an overall negative effect on your emotional well-being. Over time, this habit can feel automatic, making it harder to express emotions. Instead of resolving, the feelings you have may get stronger and more disruptive as you bottle them up.
Keeping things bottled up may lead to explosive behavior
People may develop emotional issues and anger when keeping feelings of depression to themselves. Some people may grow bitter, which may lead to unhealthy thoughts, feelings, and actions. Others may notice your uneasiness and may not attribute it to depression; they may keep their distance to avoid being on the receiving end of an outburst.
Feelings of loneliness may intensify in people with hidden depression
Depression can bring feelings of loneliness, but when you are hiding your feelings from others, that feeling of isolation may intensify. You may feel even more alone because no one else knows what you are really going through. For many, this loneliness feels inescapable. People with hidden depression may not want others to sense something is wrong, so they may choose to withdraw even further.
Someone hiding their feelings of depression may also put on a brave face in some situations so that others are not able to sense their depression. This may further add to the loneliness, as they will feel alone with their feelings and un-seen even when around other people.
Your physical wellness may be at risk due to mental health conditions
Common symptoms of depression include fatigue, lack of focus, and loss of interest in activities. Some people experience physical symptoms like cramps, digestive problems, headaches, aches, unexplained physical pain, and other complications. Mental health and physical health are closely linked. Holding your feelings inside for too long can become an extremely uncomfortable situation for your body and mind.
Without treatment, depression can increase the chance of other health conditions (like dementia), or worsen existing health conditions, like diabetes or chronic pain.
You may have low energy and experience changes in sleeping habits
Getting too much or too little sleep is a common symptom of depression. Someone concealing their feelings may feel tired and have low energy levels. Insomnia or wanting to stay in bed most of the day isn’t out of the question when you’re experiencing symptoms of depression or another mental health condition. Sometimes, it is difficult to fall asleep at night knowing something is bothering you while trying to ignore it.
While energy may affect a person’s ability to complete tasks, it may also affect the type of energy they display when around others. It may take more to act as if nothing is wrong or to pretend things are fine. If you lack sleep and energy, it may lead to expressing negative energy such as acting irritable around others.
Your eating habits may change
Changes in appetite and eating habits are common with depression. Sometimes, people may try to cope with their emotions by using food as comfort. Others may experience a loss of appetite or too little energy to prepare and consume meals. Eating habits may be all over the place, from skipping meals to consuming large amounts of unhealthy foods. Such actions may lead to sudden weight gain or weight loss.
Substance use may increase with anxiety or when hiding depression
If someone is hiding their depression and not seeking treatment, they may feel desperate to find ways to cope with the pain they’re feeling on their own, and it can be common for some individuals with depression to use alcohol or drugs to try to self-medicate. For those with anxiety, substance use may seem like a way to temporarily ease constant worry. Using drugs and alcohol to try to deal with emotions may lead to addiction, physical harm, and irreversible damage.
Both drugs and alcohol may lead to escalating emotions in social settings, leading to physical or emotional conflict. For someone who is depressed or hiding their symptoms they may experience bodily damage such as liver disease or heart failure if excess substance use exists on a continued basis.
The risk of harm to yourself may increase
Another possible symptom of depression is feelings of despair and worthlessness, and in some cases, suicidal thoughts or actions. Someone who is hiding their depression and not seeking treatment may be at increased risk for these symptoms, as untreated depression may increase the risk of suicide.
Help is available for hidden depression
If you are experiencing depression, help is available, and you do not have to face it alone. If you are hesitant to seek treatment for your depression because you feel a sense of shame or embarrassment—know that depression is nothing to be ashamed of. You may find that speaking with a therapist from the comfort of your home feels a bit easier and less intimidating. With online therapy, you don’t have to travel to an in-person appointment and worry about encountering people you know along the way—you can do it from wherever you have an internet connection.
There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of online therapy for concerns including depression. For instance, one such study concluded that “online treatment can be beneficial for people with depression, particularly for those with moderate symptoms.”
Takeaway
How do you know if you have hidden depression?
Is dysthymia a serious mental illness?
What type of depression is permanent?
What are three physical symptoms of depressive episodes?
What is unmasked depression?
What is masking mental health?
How long is too long to be depressed?
Is dysthymia a form of bipolar?
Does dysthymia lead to suicide?
What are the 4 main causes of depression?
How do you know if you have hidden depression?
Is dysthymia a serious mental illness?
What type of depression is permanent?
What are three physical symptoms of depressive episodes?
What is unmasked depression?
What is masking mental health?
How long is too long to be depressed?
Is dysthymia a form of bipolar?
Does dysthymia lead to suicide?
What are the 4 main causes of depression?
What are the signs of hidden depression?
People with hidden depression, also called smiling depression, may appear physically fine, but they often feel overwhelmed by loneliness, hopelessness, and sadness. They may withdraw from other people, including their friends and family members, and may have no interest in doing activities that made them happy before. Smiling depression is not a formal diagnosis, but it is considered a type of atypical depression.
Do people with depression sleep a lot?
Some individuals with depression may sleep a lot as a form of escapism, while others may experience changes in sleeping habits as a symptom of depression. Hypersomnia, or excessive sleepiness, is one of the criteria for diagnosing depressive disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
How do you tell if someone is hiding a mental health condition like depression?
Concealed depression or smiling depression may not be easily identifiable. However, there are some signs you can look out for that may indicate that a friend or family member is experiencing symptoms of smiling depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, common symptoms of depression can include the following:
- Sleeping too much or sleeping too little
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- Loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities
- Changes in eating habits
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Body pain, digestive problems, and other physical symptoms without a clear cause
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Text or call 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Support is available 24/7.
Am I losing feelings, or am I depressed?
If you feel disconnected, numb, or uninterested in things you once loved and cared about, it may be a sign of an underlying mental health condition like major depressive disorder. If you are experiencing these symptoms, consider seeking help from a mental health professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Mental health doctors can provide treatment through talk therapy and medication. Doctors can also help you develop coping strategies for managing stress and navigating daily life.
How can I stop hiding my mental illness?
There are several reasons why individuals living with depression may want to hide their struggles behind a happy face. For example, some people may fear the stigma that often surrounds mental illness. Others may hide their condition because they don’t want to appear weak or out of control.
However, hiding your mental health condition may negatively affect your career, personal relationships, and quality of life. Untreated depression may also put you at a higher risk of developing certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. Dealing with depression can be daunting, but research suggests that treatment options like medication and talk therapy can help individuals overcome depressive symptoms.
Can depression present as anxiety?
Some people with depression may experience anxiety-like symptoms, such as nervousness, concentration problems, and irritability. It may also be possible to have both depression and anxiety, since these two disorders can often co-occur. Consider seeking help from a mental health professional to receive a proper diagnosis.
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