Remember the iconic Hindi song, “Tum itna jo muscura rahe ho…kya gham hai jisko chhupa rahe ho?” When you think of a depressed person, you don’t see them smiling or being happy. It turns out that not everyone experiences depression the same way. In fact, some may not even know they are depressed. This goes for people who can manage their daily life without any difficulty. It’s hard to believe that a person who smiles and functions well has depression. But it is possible, because smiling depression is a thing! It’s not a clinical diagnosis, but it’s high-functioning depression or what mental health experts call “persistent depressive disorder.” Read on to find out why smiling depression can be dangerous.
HealthShots reached out to Gurugram-based clinical psychologist Aishwarya Raj to find out what smiling depression is.
Can you smile when you’re depressed?
If we talk in general terms, depression refers to sadness, lethargy and hopelessness. In fact, a depressed person is often described by people as someone who seems exhausted or simply uninterested in life. Smiling depression, on the other hand, is a type of depression in which a person looks happy on the outside, but is actually experiencing pain on the inside. Raj says when someone hides their depression behind a smile, it is called smiling depression. It is not a widely recognized medical condition, which is why it should be paid attention to.
Is smiling depression dangerous?
According to the expert, smiling depression can be dangerous because it often goes unnoticed. It negatively affects a person’s mental health. People with smiling depression may be at even greater risk of suicide because they are used to overcoming pain (signs of suicide prevention). They may have more energy and focus to come up with a suicide plan and follow it.
Signs of smiling depression
It might be difficult for your family members to spot the signs of smiling depression. But you should know that prolonged sadness is the most dominant symptom of depression (how to seek help for depression). Everyone experiences depression differently, and there are various symptoms such as:
• Lethargy or fatigue
• Insomnia
• Change in weight and appetite
• Incapacity
• Lack of interest
• Low self-esteem
While some or all of these symptoms might be present in someone with smiling depression, they would be mostly, if not entirely, absent in public, Raj says. So, an active, successful or cheerful person can also be affected by smiling depression.
People at risk of smiling depression
You never know when depression might hit you, but high-risk people are people who are going through big life changes, such as:
• A failing relationship or marriage
• Job Loss
• Financial crisis
Nowadays, smiling depression can affect people addicted to social media. Higher expectations can also trigger it. Unrealistic expectations can come from colleagues, parents, siblings, children or friends. Perfectionists can be even more vulnerable because of the impossible standards they set for themselves.
Smiling Depression Treatment
Medications and dietary changes (foods to fight depression) will help manage this type of depression. Taking psychotherapeutic help from a professional can also be helpful for symptoms of depression. A professional can help people with smiling depression find personalized coping strategies. They also need adequate support at home to open up to those around them.
