Hidden Depression: Unveiling the Silent Struggle

Clinical depression has complex depressive symptoms. Especially the expression of emotional numbness when depressed is rather subjective.

Depressed people are expected to be visibly upset and mope around all day. But this is a misconception, and there is another side to this.

Some may pretend to be happy and act like nothing is wrong. This is called hidden depression and could also be one of the major obstacles in overcoming depressive symptoms.

If you are suffering in silence to mask your depression, it will only make things worse. We will discuss more details in the rest of the article.

What are High-Functioning Mental Illnesses?

Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and autism are some of the high-functioning mental disorders.

People affected by such high-functioning mental conditions are great performers on professional and personal fronts. Therefore, their behavior may seem to go against the stereotype that mental disorders affect people’s abilities and prevent them from being successful.

When enduring depression, fulfilling social, personal, and work obligations can often be both a blessing and a curse, as the person may go through intense inner turmoil. 

So, do not be fooled by the deceiving outer appearances because people suffering from hidden depression are fighting the toughest battle – a battle with their rigid minds!

People with hidden depression may appear to be functioning normally to those around them. However, since they are good at suppressing their pain to fit in, they would sadly fail to enjoy life.

Why Do Patients Hide Depressive Symptoms?

Patients affected by hidden depression are constantly anxious about falling short.

According to them, their academic or professional success defines them. So, they tend to be too hard on themselves and prefer to suppress their depressive symptoms.

Shortfalls are taken very seriously, and people hiding depression may feel that it is better this way as nobody can empathize with them.

They prefer to channel their depressive symptoms and emptiness into extreme rage or a happy facade and focus more on building a tough exterior and career so their depression goes unnoticed.

Moreover, the stigma around depression may cause patients to believe that they are a nuisance to others. Therefore, hiding the symptoms may make them feel less judged and vulnerable.

Symptoms of Hidden Depression

The symptoms of hidden depression isn’t really “invisible.” You can spot them if you are aware and vigilant enough. Here are the key signs and symptoms:

• Being busy with work is their biggest distraction
• Long working hours disrupt their sleep schedule and appetite
• They tend to skip meals frequently
• They experience complete withdrawal from routine activities and fun hobbies
• They avoid hanging out with friends and colleagues
• They prefer to live a lonely existence to avoid discussions about life 
• They stay away from dating or confessing their romantic feelings to keep their emotions hidden
• They have trouble sleeping and waking up on time or keeping up with schedules
• They behave differently with different people and only engage in superficial small talks
• They fear the company of people and rely more on alcohol, stimulants, or recreational drugs for relaxation
• They may reveal their hardships to you occasionally under the influence of uncontrollable emotions but immediately retract to avoid further discussion.
• They think cribbing or talking about their depressive symptoms makes them vulnerable.
• Self-loathing and excessive criticism are notable personality traits in someone hiding their depression.
• They are drowning in intrusive negative thoughts and are always exhausted.

How not to Suffer Silently?

Hidden depression or Dysthymia can be persistent if left untreated. If you are experiencing similar symptoms, you must stop your seemingly invisible struggle and follow the tips below.

1. Convince your mind to Express and not Suppress Emotions

You may give off strong-person vibes to others around you, but your internal wounds are festering in reality. It will only push you to the point of no return, causing irreparable mental damage.

So, start acknowledging your depressive symptoms. It would help if you told yourself that you are not flawed and there is no pressure on you to put up a fake show, fearing judgment or social stigma.

2. Hold Onto your Inner Circle to Vent or Speak Up

Instead of temporarily appearing to be all calm and put together in front of people, try having candid, free-flowing conversations about your feelings with your close friends or family.

Make sure you are heard by good listeners who are patient and nonjudgmental.

3. Practice Meditation and Focus on your Breathing

The benefits of meditation, yoga, and deep breathing techniques on mental and physical health are backed by plenty of scientific evidence. If done correctly, they are great ways to de-stress and get a grip on your life when it gets too overwhelming.

You can also try mindfulness meditation if your mind gets too chaotic and starts acting up. It will help you to relax and refocus.

Practicing Surya namaskar or sun salutations is another effective way to reduce cortisol levels and improve depressive symptoms.

4. Set Attainable Goals

People battling hidden depression are generally over-ambitious, tend to chase perfectionism, and end up setting the benchmark too high. However, they forget that this struggle to be perfect can be extremely stressful and can have a detrimental effect.

Aiming for unrealistic goals can lead to inflated expectations, and failure to meet those expectations can eventually cause disappointment, giving rise to depressive symptoms.

It is advisable to give yourself enough time to set practical goals that can be achieved within a realistic timeline.

5. Cultivate Hobbies

Hobbies are great mood boosters. According to the University College London, hobbies can improve depressive symptoms by at least 30 percent.

The Journal of Positive Psychology states that indulging in creative hobbies such as singing, baking, cooking, or arts and crafts can significantly increase happiness.

It’s also a great opportunity to learn and master new skills that can come in handy for your future side hustles.

6. Reach out to a Therapist or Psychiatrist

Connecting with counselors and medical professionals is not optional when your depressive disorder turns too problematic for you and others around you.

If you start developing suicidal tendencies, it is best not to hold back. It is when you should put maximum effort into coming out of your little cocoon of self-resilience and openly discuss your mental issues with a mental healthcare expert.

Conclusion

The silent struggle need not be silent anymore! If you see depressed loved ones moving away and hiding their pain, try to step up and pay close attention to their behavior.

It is easy to misinterpret and judge them, so take it slow, just listen to them, do not pass judgment, and help them get comfortable talking to you with unfiltered thoughts.

Once a safe zone is created, you can then handhold them through professional counseling or specialized psychiatry if needed.

The process is long, drawn out, and difficult, but if you really care about your loved ones, you will do what is necessary and always be with them. And trust me, you will not regret it!