Hey Psych2Goers! Thanks so much for
your support let's begin the video! What do you think depression looks like like many others you may think of people who
always look sad cry a lot or who are never happy but the truth is there are a lot more
layers to depression than you think The American Psychiatric Association lists
many different presentations of depression each with its own symptoms and differences concealed or hidden depression is just one of them and those who have it may be conditioned
to act in protection of their symptoms so to help you learn a little more about it here
are 11 Things Hidden Depression makes you do before we begin we would like to mention that this
video is created for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute
a professional diagnosis if you suspect you may have depression
or any mental health condition we highly advise you to seek help from a
qualified mental health professional with that said let's begin!! Number One: Your sleeping pattern has changed What time do you often go to bed? A good and
consistent sleeping pattern is very important and healthy for your mental and physical
wellbeing, so having constant problems with sleep may point to a sign that something greater
is wrong. A lack of sleep or constantly oversleep can be a possible symptom of depression. These
changes to your sleeping pattern can affect how you feel during the day, perhaps making
you feel exhausted or tired all the time. Number Two: Your eating habits changed Are you noticing that your eating habits have
changed drastically compared to a while ago? Often times, food can act as a coping mechanism
for those hiding their depression. Overeating might help distract you from your own emotional
emptiness, and losing your appetite can also be indicative of a larger problem. There’s a strong
link between eating disorders and depression, and while they are two separate illnesses,
having a sudden and large change in eating habits can be a cause for concern and point to
a larger issue such as having hidden depression. Number Three: You become self-critical While perfectionism can get the best of anyone,
those struggling with hidden depression may take it to the next level and feel the need to
do everything perfectly. This can lead to an excess of self-imposed pressure and
standards that if missed or not met, lead to self-deprecating thoughts and feelings
of shame. These feelings might end up governing your internal choices, and leave you unable to do
simple activities or pursue casual relationships. Number Four: You Experience intense emotions While people often assume that those who are
depressed mean they’re always sad or upset, that’s not always the case. While
melancholy is a common feeling described, people with depression may also project or express
how they feel in anger or irritability. These feelings may come from a frustration with needing
to put up a good impression for everyone to see, or from feeling confused and overwhelmed by
the complex emotions they’re experiencing. Number Five: You Struggle
to Express Painful Emotions In contrast to the previous point, some people
with hidden depression may form the habit to avoid or stay in denial about their feelings. Instead,
they may choose to find distractions to divert their mind elsewhere. According to Dr. Margaret
R Rutherford, people may actually end up finding it difficult and struggle to express how they
feel because they avoid their emotions so often. Number Six: You Become obsessed
with philosophy and purpose Have you ever wondered what the meaning of
life is? Sometimes, being depressed can make you feel lost like you’re floating through
life without direction. It might lead you to question what your purpose is or what you’re
meant to accomplish here on earth. These questions about life and meaning can make you
become more introspective and cause you to dive into studying big questions and philosophies to
help you find meaning and purpose for your life. Number Seven: You become uninterested
in activities you used to enjoy Another possible sign of depression is
if you suddenly lose interest and joy in the things you used to like. Depression is
not only mentally draining, but physically as well. It can make it much more difficult and
tiring to find the motivation or enthusiasm to accomplish tasks or do activities, even if
they were something you used to really enjoy. Number Eight: You cry out for help
and then make cover-up excuses People who hide their depression often hide what
they’re feeling because they may struggle to admit that they have a problem. However, sometimes
these feelings can become so overwhelming that you may turn to a friend or even reach out to a
doctor for help. Unfortunately, like many others, you might then realize that taking these steps
would mean admitting that you have depression, which is an extremely hard realization
to come to. So instead, you might find yourself making up excuses and pulling
yourself away from the help you wanted. Number Nine: You Struggle with Intimacy Similarly, with the previous few points, feelings
associated with care and intimacy may also be difficult for you if you are depressed. If you
are hiding depression, the vulnerability that is associated with intimacy may be difficult
for you to express. While you may find it easy to care for others, it can become much more
overwhelming and tense when it comes to yourself and the relationships you have. There may be a
fear of sharing your deepest feelings and emotions or the fear of having someone invalidate your
feelings and proving your worst fears correct. Number Ten: You Focus too much on having gratitude Many people often mistake the idea of
having gratitude to mean that you ignore the negative emotions you feel and only focus
and appreciate the good things. This type of thinking can become harmful because you may end
up invalidating, ignoring, or feel guilty about any negative emotions you feel. Instead,
practicing gratitude involves reflecting, noting, and appreciating the things that you may
overlook in your daily life. It doesn’t mean that you have to look at the good side of everything,
especially if those things make you upset. Number Eleven: You
compartmentalizing your feelings Lastly, having depression can make you form
the habit of compartmentalizing your feelings. This means you rigidly sort them into “boxes”
and push them away to deal with for later, or maybe even never. By locking
away your own negative feelings, you avoid ever addressing the pain
or sadness you may be feeling. However, while it may bring temporary relief, it
may also build up and become overwhelming later. Did you learn something new about hidden
depression? Let us know in the comments below. If you find this video helpful, be sure
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The references and studies used in this video are added in the description below. Thanks
for watching and see you in our next video! Video by Psych2Go
