What is Concealed Depression?
Concealed depression is an atypical form of depression. First and foremost, depression refers not just to a syndrome but also to a state of sadness, depletion, deflation, emptiness, hopelessness, and/or boredom that each of us has experienced. Those that suffer from concealed depression are often experiencing these symptoms but project their feelings in an opposite manner. They may often downplay their emotions and try to seem happy and upbeat rather than sad and depressed.
How Can Concealed Depression Be Identified?
For those that experience concealed depression, they feel as if letting others know would place a burden on their friends and family. While it is a common mental health issue, friends and family may have a difficult time noticing because the symptoms are often subtle.
Signs to look for:
- Change in eating habits; overeating or loss of appetite
- Not engaging in activities they once enjoyed
- Change in sleep patterns; excessive sleeping or not sleeping enough
- Master of cover-up stories
- Being perfectionists
- Projecting only the good or happy moments in their lives
- Have a hard time discussing sad or hard situations
For individuals with depression it is common that symptoms might also include having somatic or physical illnesses. Thus meaning that not just their mental health is affected but their physical health is impaired as well.
Symptoms of physical illness:
- aches and pains
- chronic fatigue
- nausea
- dizziness
- weakened immune system
- stomachaches
How should you support yourself or someone you know suffering from concealed depression?
Since those suffering from concealed depression often show subtle signs, it is most helpful to be straightforward. If you suspect a loved one is having difficulty, reach out or keep in touch with them. Give them a listening ear or help them find a professional to get the help they need. It is important to pay attention to the fine details; it could be what they are not saying rather than what they are saying.
If you believe that you are suffering from depression, it is important to find someone you trust, a friend or family member or professional, and open up to them about how you are feeling.
To understand more about how depression impacts you, please Growth thru Change for therapy services.
