Smiling Depression: Being depressed and appearing happy

Normally, when we talk about or read about depression , we are all automatically led to imagine a certain prototype of a ” depressed person “. More or less, in the collective imagination, the classic depressed person presents:

  • low mood
  • low energy
  • insomnia or hypersomnia
  • poor or excessive appetite (resulting in rapid weight loss or weight gain)
  • physical ailments
  • poor work or school performance
  • reduction of habitual relational and social activities
  • negative vision of oneself and of the future
  • in the most important cases suicidal thoughts or desires

However, depression does not always present itself in such a clear and defined way. This makes it even more difficult for the person himself and especially for those around him to recognize a difficult moment. It also inevitably delays the request for help from a professional.

Non-classical forms of depression

For some, the manifestation of depression may have to do with anger . There are dysphoric reactions, nervousness , tension and often strongly aggressive reactions (towards people or situations), to minimal stimuli.

At other times, depression manifests itself mainly through organic disorders and symptoms , often difficult to ascribe to a precise diagnostic label and, also for this reason, tending to chronicity. In fact, there is talk of masked depression which is often linked to somatization disorders .

It seems absurd, but we can also witness a depression characterized by a picture apparently within the limits of “normality”. There are people who, despite experiencing the typical feelings and emotions of depression , manage to smile, to function professionally and socially and even to appear happy on the outside and able to manage their lives efficiently.

The “smiling depression”

In these cases the expression ” smiling depression ” is used, precisely to indicate the typical attitude in these cases. With statements such as “I’m fine”, “it’s all right”, the subject shows a smile of circumstance. He works hard to hide the feelings of fragility, sadness , disorientation, lack of hope.

Speaking in technical terms, it is certainly an atypical form of depression , which allows those affected to carry on a normal life, to always appear satisfied and serene in front of others, while internally one experiences totally opposite emotions. It goes without saying that the first difficulty in these cases is precisely linked to the possibility of recognizing the problem early and clearly , so as to be of help to the person who suffers from it.

The literature on the phenomenon of smiling depression

Recently, in this regard, Doctor Olivia Remes, PhD psychologist at the University of Cambridge (UK), published an article in The Conversation magazine According to the expert, this condition can have an early onset in the person’s life and last even a very long time. This is due both to the late identification (which, in many cases, never happens) and to the peculiarity of its characteristics, which do not respond to the normal parameters of classical depression.

From research carried out, it seems that it affects between 15% and 40% of depressed subjects , being more frequent among subjects with a tendency to mental brooding on the past and hypersensitive to criticism or socially embarrassing situations.

In addition to those already mentioned, there are other reasons (often related to specific personological functioning) that make this form of depression more dangerous. In fact, appearing happy to others while actually suffering deeply can be a symptom of a serious difficulty in accepting that you have a problem . You do not realize a condition that would need to be taken care of, or you are sure of “doing it alone”, underestimating the real situation or overestimating your resources and abilities.

Why hide your depressive state

People with a “smiling depression” may fear that they will be considered weak or vulnerable if they show their difficulties outside. Or present strong feelings of guilt for the fact of suffering or causing suffering.

As in many other psychopathological pictures, the idea of ​​being able to need a psychotherapist can appear exaggerated and lead to feeling “crazy”, therefore avoided. It may happen that these people do not talk about it with anyone, that they tend to reinforce and show more and more their “smiling” side They provide an unrealistic, yet very efficient self-image.

The suicidal risk to which this form of atypical depression exposes is also greater than the classic forms, because the subjects are still able to actively carry on their daily life in its various facets. They therefore have less difficulty in finding energy and resources to carry out the actual suicidal intentions.

Treatment of smiling depression

As (and perhaps more so) in classical depression pictures , also in this case the timely intervention by suitably trained specialists is decisive for the prognosis of the disorder. In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , in addition to acting on any reactions and dysfunctional behaviors, we try to understand together with the patient what his overall functioning is.

It helps him to become aware, in the specific case of “smiling depression” , of the fact that it is neither necessary nor useful for the person to take care of himself completely by himself. That it is not humanly possible to do it alone and that even their discomfort hides a profound malaise. We try to reinforce an alternative style of thinking, which allows the person to show their real moods externally, also providing useful and effective tools to cope with them.

 

by Abdullah Sam
I’m a teacher, researcher and writer. I write about study subjects to improve the learning of college and university students. I write top Quality study notes Mostly, Tech, Games, Education, And Solutions/Tips and Tricks. I am a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence or virtue.

Leave a Comment