When imagining a person with “depression,” you typically picture someone struggling to get out of bed. They might often be crying, withdrawing from friends, or finding it hard to have the energy to get through the day. However, people with “smiling depression” do not present this way. Sometimes, the person who feels deceived is not your friend, partner, or colleague — it could be you yourself.
“Smiling depression” refers to a form of depression experienced internally despite having a smile on the face. It is not yet officially recognized as a diagnosable or classified disorder. Nevertheless, its search term has surged by 50 percent in the past five years. Dr. Olivia Remes, a mental health researcher at the University of Cambridge in the UK, explains, “It means appearing happy on the outside but feeling hopeless and sad inside.” According to the World Health Organization, approximately 322 million people worldwide are developing feelings consistent with this type of depression.
Depression does not always manifest in the way one might expect. Studies indicate that about 40 percent of people with depression experience this kind of “atypical” presentation. It is known as ‘camouflaging’ or ‘masking,’ where individuals hide some symptoms or emotions internally to appear normal or to blend in with others.
The risks of concealing depression can be serious. Professor Barney Dunn, a clinical psychologist at the University of Exeter in the UK, states, “Depression isolates us and makes us feel lonely.” Remes adds, “If these early signs are not addressed in time, the condition can evolve into a long-term and severe problem, increasing the risk of suicide.”
