13 Habits Of People With Concealed Depression

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People with concealed depression or hidden or masked depression put up a happy front and hide the fact they are fighting with inner demons. So, the symptoms of mental illness are not clearly visible in such people. But, there are some common habits of people with concealed depression that you should know to reach out to your loved ones. 

But, before discussing concealed depression habits you must know that hidden description is the outcome of cultures that highly supports the idea of hiding feelings of sadness and inadequacy. In such cultures displaying emotional trauma is often frowned upon and considered a sort of cultural taboo. 

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in children and adolescents but often goes undetected and undiagnosed. On top of that social media is ruling our life to an extent that we don’t think beyond virtual relationships.

Without talking to your friends face-to-face, hugging them tightly, or looking into their eyes, it’s tough to decide what they are going through. Cool texting language with exciting emojis can help a person with depression hide all the pain and suffering. A smiley emoji doesn’t mean the person is really laughing out loud and having a happening life.

Read How To Overcome Negative Thinking And Depression

If we don’t come out of tech-driven connections, we will stop being able to understand each other. And those who are depressed don’t share about their mental state even with their closest companions.

Only if you invest time in understanding people with concealed depression, they will reveal their scars and wounds to you. Else, in the long run, the world will become a dark place to live. 

Here are 13 habits of people With concealed depression:

Habits of People Concealed Depression

1. They may intentionally make efforts to appear happy.

It is a misconception that all depressed people have a dreary personality. The social construction of depression deviates from the medical notion of illness. Moreover, the stigma associated with depression and other mental illnesses has compelled people living with depression to pretend like everything’s okay and they have a happening life. 

Depression is characterized by a range of symptoms and is not just about feeling low or sad. So, those who are depressed tend to alter their facial expressions or mood and may come across as the most “happy” people that you know.

They try hard to flaunt an optimistic attitude even when they are broken and feeling hopeless about life. This is one of the most common habits of people with concealed depression.

Read What Not To Say (And What You Should Say) To A Person With Depression

2. They may have abandonment issues.

Nothing can be more painful than your loved one walking out of your life. But, it hurts a person with depression more than a normal person. They are scarred for life and tend to bottle up emotions. Over time they become more and more secretive out of fear of the recession of those they love.

They blame themselves and feel guilty for things not done and assume that they are terrible enough to be handled by someone they love. They withdraw themselves and make efforts to not be a burden to those closest to them. 

Read People with Depression Speak Language Differently New Study Reveals

3. They can be pros at “cover-up” stories.

People with concealed depression come up with wonderful excuses for not attending a party last night, skipping biology classes, cuts on their wrists, not attending calls or replying to messages and so on –  they can cook stories for anything. 

Depression hampers your work, relationships as well as the normalcy of daily life. Those with concealed depression avoid public attention considering the stereotypes and myths about depression that so-called modern society have.

With hidden depression, expressing your pain to people and giving them a chance to put you down is a big NO. Hiding your state of mind and the things you are going through seems to be a better option. 

4. They may have strange sleeping and eating habits.

This is one of the common habits of people with concealed depression. They don’t open up themselves and make muted cries for help. They feel helpless, which has a profound impact on their sleeping and eating habits. They either sleep too much or too less. Either they lose appetite or indulge in binge eating.

Depression creates an extreme lack of control, but sleep and diet are the two easiest options for depressed people to escape and avoid their negative, soul-sucking feelings. 

Someone who is dealing with depression withdraws from people and refrains from seeking help, which leaves them with no option but to use self-help methods, which at times can be harmful. 

They understand that caffeine and sugar can lift their mood and help to cope with inner struggles. They interpret that alcohol and medication can ease their pain.

Also, they are aware of which medications don’t work and that substance use only gives them temporary relief. But, they have no choice! They have to try harder to feel better, unlike most people. 

6. They may have habitual remedies.

People with concealed depression use a range of alternative methods to conquer their inner demons and ease their minds. Besides therapy and medication, they try music, books, long drives, hiking,  exercises, and anything that can help them get away with a sinking set of emotions. The habitual remedies may vary from person to person.

You can smile or make jokes and have depression

7. They may exhibit a very involved perception of life and death.

Depression doesn’t affect all people equally, because –

  • Genetic disposition
  • Family relationships
  • Work-life, and
  • Social life

are the factors that determine how they think and act in moments of despair. So, not every person with depression may have suicidal thoughts. 

Their perspective of life and beyond is unique and complex. People with concealed depression are fighting their battle all alone, trying to make peace with unresolved issues and find answers to life’s deepest questions. They keep shifting from one horrible mindset to another and in this process, they develop an involved perception of life and death.

8. They are often very talented and expressive.

There are many famous people who inspired others and left a lasting impression on the world despite having depression – Katy Perry, Michael Phelps, Kristen Bell, and J.K. Rowling to name a few. 

This mental illness can plague anyone irrespective of –

  • Gender
  • Age
  • Caste
  • Color
  • Creed and
  • Social status.

Depression can’t stop you from living the life you want and achieving profound greatness. You can express your deepest emotions, and heart-wrenching experiences in various incredible ways…You can always create something beautiful with the darkness that engulfed you. And this is one of the signs of hidden depression.

9. They search for purpose.

Having a purpose in life is crucial because it determines your plans, actions, and decisions. Knowing that you are moving in the right direction will help you stay motivated and grounded. Not being able to find the purpose in life is one of the signs of hidden depression.

One of the habits of people with concealed depression is that they tend to search for purpose in life, without which a feeling of dissatisfaction and negative thoughts may creep in. Having a purpose can shield their mind against feelings of worthlessness, emptiness, and unhappiness. Thus, they keep looking for more ways to feel fulfilled. 

10. They seek help too.

Mental Health Its Hard Because

Depression is invisible to most people, so even when some dealing with this mental illness cry for help, they are overlooked. But, the truth is a depressed individual needs help even if most of the time they are tackling internal conflicts independently.

Putting up that fake smile is not always safe and by revealing their true self, they can foster deep connections with their friends and folks, who have different levels of emotions and mindsets. 

11. They struggle to quiet their mind

ruminations

Rumination is one of the dangerous habits of people with concealed depression, which includes obsessive and repeated thoughts related to negative events in life. Constantly, overanalyzing all the good and bad things in life leaves them drained. Also, they always think of worst-case scenarios, which makes them solve problems easily.

12. They absorb the emotions of other people

People with hidden depression are like sponges, they tend to absorb other people’s emotions and energy. They hurt when other people are hurt and suffering, which can add to their emotional pain and stress. Absorbing the emotions of other people is one of the harmful habits of people with concealed depression.

10 Characteristics of Perfectly Hidden Depression

13. They seek love and acceptance, as every person does.

People with masked depression feel vulnerable and tend to protect themselves by staying aloof. They aren’t dishonest, but they don’t want to burden others or bring others down due to their low emotional state.

It is easier to feel alone than express your dark feelings and unpleasant emotions that may or may not be understood. Most people with depression go unnoticed, but they do want to be cared for, loved, and accepted just like everyone else. 

The Bottom Line

If you are a person with hidden depression reading this blog and could relate to the above habits, then try to open up and release pent-up emotions even if it is hard to do so. Don’t treat yourself as a burden, those who love you will always stand as pillars for you.

And if you know someone in your circle demonstrating these habits of masked depression then reach out to them. Spread some love and positivity and don’t judge others merely by listening to some dark, unpleasant aspects of their life. Seek help and help others too!


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is concealed depression?

Concealed depression is an atypical form of depression that is a little different from the symptoms of major depressive disorder. People with concealed depression do not typically report feeling sad most of the time. Instead, they tend to mask their symptoms by downplaying their distress and flaunting themselves as very happy people. However, they may complain of physical symptoms like headaches, chest pains, abdominal pains. tingling, etc. 

What are the signs of concealed depression?

Concealed depression signs are the same as the actual signs of depression but also include pessimism, intense feelings, a tendency to force the feelings of happiness, crying for help but attempting to cover it up, trying to excuse away issues, pondering about life and death. However, these signs are not diagnostic symptoms of anything.

How to deal with concealed depression?

You may seek professional help for medications, psychoeducation, psychotherapy, and alternate interventions like music therapy, yoga, Tai chai, etc. Other than that seeking social support from others and making lifestyle changes like switching jobs or quitting alcohol can help you deal with masked depression.


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Responses

  1. J. Ohara Avatar
    J. Ohara

    I found this very informative and I wanted to burst out crying while reading this because many of the habits stated I feel I exhibit. I need help but don’t believe anyone or anything can help me. It’s great to know all the habits of a person with concealed depression but more importantly HOW DO YOU FIX IT? I spend most of my days on a roller coaster of emotions that I try to hide because noone cares or takes it seriously. I’ve been like this 44 years out of my 48 yr old life. Half of my life is gone already and I’m not sure there’s a point to the rest of it.

  2. Skip Hucic Avatar
    Skip Hucic

    Hello friend,
    You’re comment could have come out of my mouth instead. I am 10 years your senior. Other than the abandonment part, everything painfully resonates with me as well. Let’s make a pact, as two strangers. Let’s seek help. I don’t like the idea of fixing things with a pill. It seems like there’s a lot of diagnosing going on and little real help. Like me you probably feel like our situation is unique and who would really care anyway. One thing is true every human is unique, but that’s not an issue really. I think thats our sickness talking though. My wife reminded me that therapist choose thier career because they love helping people. A neutral partner I image will help us see things not obvious to us and give good advice without judgement. Im prepared to burden one person with my issues and see if any good comes from it. I hope the person assigned to me is a good fit. Either way, Im gonna at least try. I’m tired. I need more than a diagnoses just as you mentioned. I wish you well.

  3. Kimberlin Campbell Avatar
    Kimberlin Campbell

    I have been struggling with conceal depression for years I’m 40 yrs old now and since I was 8 I’ve been verbally abuse , physically abuse , sexually abuse and emotionally abuse….I’ve never gotten any help for it and everyday I wear a mask to try and hide how I truly feel recently I’ve started seeing a psychologist who help me to open up the scars so I can get the help I need .No one truly cares cause they believe it’s just a phase that will pass I’m always angry and rebellious at times and lock myself away for weeks I eat less most of them time the use of alcohol and smoking is what I abuse more to help me cope but it only helps temporarily I tend to cry when alone and block people out with a smile and words like I’m okay…

    1. Hanndog Theresa. Avatar
      Hanndog Theresa.

      This is my story too!!!

  4. D.Birch Avatar
    D.Birch

    Your not allowed to to be depressed be side other people’s problems are worst than your. So on suck it up until you have a meltdow. Then the people who put the amount a stress on you then play victim. I don’t have time for that. It just saved you keep the information on how you feel to yourself. Had for therapy you are telling someone that has no idea how you put up with the trama and still live to the tail they have no idea how to deal with it. The are nosey people that can not sort out their own proud so waste of time sorting anyone else’s out. In other word a waste of time and effort seeing one

  5. Rachel Johnson Avatar
    Rachel Johnson

    Thank you for sharing your article. I’m 45 and have tried to live with what I thought was severe depression since I was 12. I have been on medication since I was 16 and have had my up and downs. On November 30, 2024 we lost my nephew to suicide. And after reading this I believe he had concealed depression. He was always the sweet kid, laughing, making everyone laugh, the one who checks up on his cousins and friends, a godly young man. But in reality he was suffering in silence, none of us knew. I have always thought no one cared to help me, or I didn’t deserve to be helped or to be happy. But after this experience of his death I have learned that I do deserve it. People may not care, but I have to. I have to want it. I want to be happy, I want to be truly happy. I don’t want me taking my life to do to my children what my nephews death has done to his wife, children and family. It hurts like hell. So I will start by finding a support group of people like me who talk and get it out. I will take it one day at a time. And I hope you will too. Because you deserve to be truly happy.

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