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What do you think depression looks like
like many others you may think of people who always look sad cry a lot or who are never happy
but the truth is there are a lot more layers to depression than you think
The American Psychiatric Association lists many different presentations of depression
each with its own symptoms and differences
concealed or hidden depression is just one of them
and those who have it may be conditioned to act in protection of their symptoms
so to help you learn a little more about it here are 11 Things Hidden Depression makes you do
before we begin we would like to mention that this video is created for educational purposes only
and is not intended to substitute a professional diagnosis
if you suspect you may have depression or any mental health condition we
highly advise you to seek help from a qualified mental health professional
with that said let's begin!!
Number One: Your sleeping pattern has changed
What time do you often go to bed? A good and consistent sleeping pattern is very important
and healthy for your mental and physical wellbeing, so having constant problems with
sleep may point to a sign that something greater is wrong. A lack of sleep or constantly oversleep
can be a possible symptom of depression. These changes to your sleeping pattern can affect
how you feel during the day, perhaps making you feel exhausted or tired all the time.
Number Two: Your eating habits changed
Are you noticing that your eating habits have changed drastically compared to a while ago?
Often times, food can act as a coping mechanism for those hiding their depression. Overeating
might help distract you from your own emotional emptiness, and losing your appetite can also be
indicative of a larger problem. There’s a strong link between eating disorders and depression,
and while they are two separate illnesses, having a sudden and large change in eating
habits can be a cause for concern and point to a larger issue such as having hidden depression.
Number Three: You become self-critical
While perfectionism can get the best of anyone, those struggling with hidden depression may take
it to the next level and feel the need to do everything perfectly. This can lead to
an excess of self-imposed pressure and standards that if missed or not met,
lead to self-deprecating thoughts and feelings of shame. These feelings might end up governing
your internal choices, and leave you unable to do simple activities or pursue casual relationships.
Number Four: You Experience intense emotions
While people often assume that those who are depressed mean they’re always sad or upset,
that’s not always the case. While melancholy is a common feeling described,
people with depression may also project or express how they feel in anger or irritability. These
feelings may come from a frustration with needing to put up a good impression for everyone to see,
or from feeling confused and overwhelmed by the complex emotions they’re experiencing.
Number Five: You Struggle to Express Painful Emotions
In contrast to the previous point, some people with hidden depression may form the habit to avoid
or stay in denial about their feelings. Instead, they may choose to find distractions to divert
their mind elsewhere. According to Dr. Margaret R Rutherford, people may actually end up finding
it difficult and struggle to express how they feel because they avoid their emotions so often.
Number Six: You Become obsessed with philosophy and purpose
Have you ever wondered what the meaning of life is? Sometimes, being depressed can make
you feel lost like you’re floating through life without direction. It might lead you to
question what your purpose is or what you’re meant to accomplish here on earth. These
questions about life and meaning can make you become more introspective and cause you to dive
into studying big questions and philosophies to help you find meaning and purpose for your life.
Number Seven: You become uninterested in activities you used to enjoy
Another possible sign of depression is if you suddenly lose interest and joy
in the things you used to like. Depression is not only mentally draining, but physically as
well. It can make it much more difficult and tiring to find the motivation or enthusiasm
to accomplish tasks or do activities, even if they were something you used to really enjoy.
Number Eight: You cry out for help and then make cover-up excuses
People who hide their depression often hide what they’re feeling because they may struggle to admit
that they have a problem. However, sometimes these feelings can become so overwhelming that
you may turn to a friend or even reach out to a doctor for help. Unfortunately, like many others,
you might then realize that taking these steps would mean admitting that you have depression,
which is an extremely hard realization to come to. So instead, you might find
yourself making up excuses and pulling yourself away from the help you wanted.
Number Nine: You Struggle with Intimacy
Similarly, with the previous few points, feelings associated with care and intimacy may also be
difficult for you if you are depressed. If you are hiding depression, the vulnerability that is
associated with intimacy may be difficult for you to express. While you may find it
easy to care for others, it can become much more overwhelming and tense when it comes to yourself
and the relationships you have. There may be a fear of sharing your deepest feelings and emotions
or the fear of having someone invalidate your feelings and proving your worst fears correct.
Number Ten: You Focus too much on having gratitude
Many people often mistake the idea of having gratitude to mean that you ignore
the negative emotions you feel and only focus and appreciate the good things. This type of
thinking can become harmful because you may end up invalidating, ignoring, or feel guilty about
any negative emotions you feel. Instead, practicing gratitude involves reflecting,
noting, and appreciating the things that you may overlook in your daily life. It doesn’t mean that
you have to look at the good side of everything, especially if those things make you upset.
Number Eleven: You compartmentalizing your feelings
Lastly, having depression can make you form the habit of compartmentalizing your feelings.
This means you rigidly sort them into “boxes” and push them away to deal with for later,
or maybe even never. By locking away your own negative feelings,
you avoid ever addressing the pain or sadness you may be feeling.
However, while it may bring temporary relief, it may also build up and become overwhelming later.
Did you learn something new about hidden depression? Let us know in the comments below.
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