What is smiling depression?
Smiling depression doesn’t just affect people with low
incomes and sketchy lives. It doesn’t target dysfunctional homes and rebellious
teens (Hurd, A.A., 2017).
Smiling
depression, believe it or not,
often affects seemingly happy couples, the educated, and the accomplished (Hurd, A.A., 2017). To the outside world, you
got it; these victims seem like the most successful individuals (Hurd, A.A., 2017).
“Smiling depression” is a term for someone living
with depression on the inside while appearing perfectly happy or content on the
outside (Elmer, 2018). Their public life is usually one that’s “put together,”
maybe even what some would call normal or perfect (Elmer, 2018).
Smiling depression isn’t recognized as a condition in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) but would likely
be diagnosed as a major depressive disorder with atypical features (Elmer,
2018).
What
are the symptoms of smiling depression?
Someone experiencing smiling depression would — from the
outside —appear happy or content to others. On the inside, however, they would
be experiencing the distressful symptoms of depression.
Depression
affects everyone differently and has a variety of symptoms; the most
distinguished being deep, prolonged sadness. Other classic symptoms include:
- changes in appetite, weight, and sleeping
- fatigue or lethargy
- feelings of
hopelessness, lack of self-esteem, and low self-worth
- loss of interest or
pleasure in doing things that were once enjoyed
Someone with smiling depression may experience some or
all of the above, but in public, these symptoms would be mostly — if not
completely — absent. To someone looking from the outside, a person with a
smiling depression might look like:
- an active,
high-functioning individual
- someone holding down
a steady job, with a healthy family and social life
- a person appearing
to be cheerful, optimistic, and generally happy
If you’re experiencing
depression yet continue to smile and put on a façade, you may feel:
- Like showing signs
of depression would be a sign of weakness
- like you would
burden anyone by expressing your true feelings
- that you don’t have
depression at all, because you’re “fine.”
- That others have it
worse, so what do you have to complain about?
- that the world would
be better off without you
Why
People Hide Their Depression
It's not uncommon for
people to keep their depression private. From wanting to protect their privacy
to fearing judgment by others, there are many personal and professional reasons
why people hide their symptoms of depression (Morin
LCSW & Snyder, MD, 2020).
If you think someone you know has smiling depression, share your concerns. Normalize mental health
issues and talk to them about how they can get help. And, offer emotional support
as well as practical support(Morin, LCSW & Snyder, MD, 2020).
A Word From Kysha Ann
Retreat:
Take a little time out of the day for a little quiet solitude and turning inward,
creating space for silence, contemplation, and mindfulness.
·
Reflection:
This quiet time is a time to reflect on how the year has gone, and how I’d like
to move into the New Year. We don’t often give ourselves enough time for
reflection, as we’re always busy inactivity.
·
Letting go:
What have we become burdened with over the past year? Over the past decade?
This time of turning inward is also a great time to let go of burdens,
resentments, etc.
References
Elmer,
J. (2018, November 18). Smiling
Depression: Symptoms, risk factors, test, treatments, and more. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/smiling-depression
Hurd,
A.A., S. (2017, March 17). Smiling
depression: How to recognize the darkness behind a cheerful facade. Learning Mind. https://www.learning-mind.com/smiling-depression/
Labeaune,
Psy.D., R. (2014, November 12). The
secret pain of "Smiling" Depression. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-guest-room/201411/the-secret-pain-smiling-depression
Morin, LCSW, A., & Snyder, MD, C.
(2020, April 15). Could you have smiling depression? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-smiling-depression-4775918
