1. They make efforts to appear normal.
It is fairly normal for people who conceal their depression to appear as happy as everyone else that is around them. I personally feel this to be the hardest and most difficult of the struggles that are listed. When you feel down in the dumps, and you have to show or represent yourself as being “happy,” it takes a lot away from you. This is a truly sad situation. Having been through all this myself, I can assure you — it isn’t easy at all.
2. Being alone is terrifying.
People with hidden depression know that they like to be alone sometimes. But at other times, it is useful to be with someone. When the depressed become alienated, it is also extremely nerve-wracking because it is so difficult to adjust from being alone to being with someone (and vice versa). It is complicated, but I have gone through it and I know that this truly does happen.
3. They have the worst types of eating/sleeping habits.
People who conceal depression are either sleeping way too much or sleeping too little. It is a nuisance that they have to deal with. Sometimes, they don’t get any sleep at all. It is a whole roller coaster ride having to deal with the depths of depression. When I went through depression, I sometimes found it very difficult to get sleep and other days I would just sleep the entire day.
4. They know about life and death very well and closely.
People who hide their depression know that they go through death each single day. They deal with it on a daily basis and so they have a nice view of what life is all about. They know that things should never be taken for granted.
5. They look for a purpose in life.
People who conceal their depression yet again look for a purpose to life. They search for something that fuels their passion to an extent. Searching for their calling is something that comes naturally to them. They love to look at the depth in life…and everything in it.
6. They also try to discover love in small ways.
Just because someone tries to hide their depression doesn’t mean that they aren’t looking for love. As a matter of fact, because they aren’t feeling up to the mark, they find love in small places and small ways. They may feel away from love so they try to grasp it when possible. So, if you love someone who tries to hide their depression, know that they may be some of the most beautiful and strongest people out there.
7. They have outbursts of crying at times when things get too much.
When they can’t handle the pressure, these people like to cry it out. Many times it is hard to understand why they are feeling a certain way, so the best thing to do is just let it all out. Know that it is all right if they do so. In the end, crying helps them feel better. It helps achieve a state of accepting their emotions on a human level, and that is okay to not try and be perfect all the time.
