“How are you?” is kind of cliché. In fact, we use the question often as a simple ice-breaker to start conversation; however, we often don’t ask, “How are you? Really?” I would argue that if we asked the question the second way, more often than not, we might get an entirely different answer. And the same is true if we were to ask ourselves the question, “How am I? Really?” Would we really say, “Fine,” or just “Good”? Or would we perhaps be a little more honest with ourselves regarding how we are really feeling?
You see, believe it or not, there really is such a thing as Smiling Depression. In a recent article by Laura Coward from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Laura defines it as “appearing happy to others and smiling through the pain, keeping the inner turmoil hidden.” Furthermore, according to the article, it’s a major disorder with atypical symptoms, and as a result, many don’t even know they are depressed or don’t seek help.
In Laura’s article you will learn…
- What Smiling Depression really is.
- Why it is dangerous.
- How you can help.
- What you can do if you think you might be depressed.
Learn More: National Alliance of Mental Health, September 2, 2016.
About the Author:
Laura is a writer and non-profit fundraiser who lives in Dallas. She has a journalism degree from Texas A&M University, and is active in The Writer’s Path at Southern Methodist University. Laura loves music and travel, and tries to combine the two whenever possible. Read more from Laura at https://betweengriefandhighdelight.com