Warning Signs Of Smiling Depression

Smiling depression is a dangerous health condition that countless Americans are suffering from every day. This form is characterized by individuals maintaining a happy appearance on the outside while they are suffering on the inside. Patients with smiling depression are often extremely successful. They will likely have active social lives as well. This type is particularly dangerous because the symptoms are not visible. It is essential to be aware of the warning signs of smiling depression. This allows individuals to seek help as soon as possible.

Like other forms of depression, psychotherapy is a massive smiling depression treatment option. Many patients need antidepressants and other smiling depression medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a strong option for treating smiling depression as well.

Loss Of Interest In Enjoyable Activities

A loss of interest in enjoyable activities or hobbies is a trademark symptom of depression. However, it may be less obvious in smiling depression. In social situations, these individuals may be the life of the party. Inside, however, they are not truly enjoying themselves. Social activities may even be a way for individuals with smiling depression to avoid real issues or feelings of sadness.

This symptom may only become noticeable to those who are watching closely. The individual suffering may decline invitations to events they would ordinarily attend. Sadness or tiredness may be observed when they are unaware that anyone is watching. Lulls between social activities may be particularly troublesome as there are fewer distractions as well.

Keep reading to discover another common symptom of this particular form of depression.

Lethargy And Fatigue

Tiredness is a common sign of depression. It is associated with the individual feeling too exhausted to get out of bed to attend work or partake in everyday life. Lethargy and fatigue often present differently in individuals with smiling depression. The individual may even be an overachiever. They may seem as if they have boundless amounts of energy and excel in all areas of life. However, when they are alone, exhaustion will take over. If an individual suffering from smiling depression has significant time to spend alone, they may lay on the couch doing nothing or even sleep the entire time.

This symptom shows a clear link between depression and perfectionism. Individuals suffering from smiling depression often rest their self-esteem on perfection. Fatigue may feel like weakness and cause rebound depression. Visual cues may occur when the affected individual shows difficulty completing everyday tasks or changes in their appearance. This is because exhaustion can cause cognitive tasks to become difficult, and basic hygiene may require too much effort.

Reveal how smiling depression can affect an individual's sleeping patterns next.

Shifts In Sleeping Habits

Shifts in sleeping habits are a significant point of concern for depression. The connection between sleep and depression may not always be shown with constant fatigue. Someone who is usually a sound sleeper may suddenly have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep. Although some individuals feel tired all day, restlessness can now occur when they lay down to go to sleep. Opposingly, an individual who has always functioned well on a few hours of sleep each night may have trouble waking up in the morning. They might now find that naps are necessary during the day.

Sleep disturbances may occur before other symptoms of depression. For instance, those with insomnia are ten times more likely to experience depression than those without a sleeping disorder. Insomnia results in less restorative sleep and a lack of energy to face the day. Sleeping patterns may change naturally in winter when the days become shorter. The changes in daylight can trigger an upset in the body's natural sleeping rhythm resulting in increased or seasonal depression.

Uncover the next sign of smiling depression to be aware of now.

Changes In Appetite

Major changes in an individual's appetite are a significant warning sign of smiling depression. Sadness and a lack of enjoyment in normal activities can make an individual's favorite foods less enjoyable to consume. The fatigue that accompanies smiling depression can make preparing food or even the effort of consuming a meal seem like too much. Changes in an individual's eating habits may not be immediately noticeable. However, skipping meals or leaving a large serving of food behind is an early warning sign. For instance, a friend who picks at a favorite meal when they are not ill may be suffering from depression.

On the other hand, some individuals eat more when they feel depressed. This might be an effort to comfort or avoid feelings of sadness. Food might be a comforting reminder of happier times. Alternatively, the feeling of a full stomach can be physically satisfying. These changes may not always be noticeable to the observer, but changes in weight can be a sign. Considerable weight gain or loss for no reason is a symptom of depression, regardless of how happy someone might seem.

Continue reading to explore another significant symptom of smiling depression.

Feelings Of Hopelessness

Feeling hopeless is a massive part of all types of depression, including smiling depression. While some patients share these symptoms regularly, other variations may be less obvious. For someone suffering from smiling depression, voicing these feelings may seem like a weakness. Guilt for even noticing such feelings can result in feelings of worthlessness that compound their smiling depression. Feelings of hopelessness are a leading reason why individuals with depression may take their own life. If they go unnoticed, the patient may not seek help during their darkest hours.

Hopelessness in individuals suffering from smiling depression may seem more like general negative thinking. Someone with an optimistic attitude may suddenly begin speaking out about negative things that do not affect them. If someone can look at a predominantly good experience and only see the worst part of it, depression may be lurking behind their smile.

Get to know more about the indicators of smiling depression now.

Feel Showing Signs Would Be Showing Weakness

An individual with smiling depression may feel that showing signs would be showing weakness. They may feel like others will judge them for not being strong enough to overcome their sadness. They may also feel like showing signs and asking for help makes them vulnerable, increasing their anxiety. Many individuals who experience these feelings have struggled to receive support for depression in the past. They may have internalized a sense that they need to be strong at all times. However, it is impossible to go through life without ever needing help with anything. Humans are social creatures by nature, and connecting is an integral part of the recovery process.

Learn about more symptoms of smiling depression now.

Others Have It Worse (What Is There To Complain About?)

One common thought of individuals with smiling depression is that if others have it worse, what is there to complain about? Individuals dealing with smiling depression may believe they don't have a right to sadness or to struggle if they have had the privilege of a relatively easy life. While finding the good things about one's life is an essential part of dealing with depression, they should not be used to invalidate the depression itself.

Depression, including smiling depression, can happen to anyone, regardless of their life experiences and status. Sometimes, depression is not even be triggered by external situations. Though depression may develop as a result of someone being unhappy with their life, it can also develop for no discernible reason, such as by a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Discover why smiling depression is so serious next.

Why Smiling Depression Is So Serious

Smiling depression is a severe condition for many reasons. Individuals who continue to smile through these feelings and pretend to be happy are less likely to reach out for help. This could be motivated by not wanting to burden others or being afraid of judgment. When individuals with smiling depression don't seek help, their condition will get progressively worse.

Individuals with untreated depression have a much higher risk of suicide. In addition, individuals with depression have limited energy, and putting energy into keeping up a facade of happiness is exhausting. The result of this can make symptoms worse. It is also complicated to diagnose smiling depression since the condition presents with symptoms that conflict with the traditional presentation of depression.

Be aware of these signs and do not hesitate to seek help for yourself or a loved one.