Does anyone else wear a mask of happiness but are in a constant state of depression?

[Breanna_nonbinary]

I’m always depressed. I might seem OK but I’m never OK. Am I the only one?

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

First thing crossing my mind: Such a mask is psychologically harmful, trying to pass as the opposite that you feel, you are basically working against you. Toxic positive seems to be culturally very common in US culture, sadly, by denying yourself the right to feel what you feel. Since therapy and medication have both been addressed in this page, well, the thing with therapy and/or medication is that its not exactly hard science. Finding the right therapist for you is a kind of a quest in itself, avoiding the proliferating charlatans as well.

Having a supportive family could really help, if that is the case, go for them, this is precious. The same can be said for friends, ofc. I wish you good luck :/

[Breanna_nonbinary]

I have fair weather parents. Second I wear the mask because people only care if you look happy. No one wants to hear how I feel and I’m tired of feeling it. I’ve been to therapy and on meds. Nothing helped because nothing helped the situation Im in. People seem to think that there’s some sort of magical way to get things. During Obamacare I could afford healthcare but didn’t qualify for free healthcare. However I was penalized for not having healthcare. Can’t afford a therapist when you can’t get a job. Can’t find a job because people only hire happy upbeat people who are outgoing extroverts. I could go on and on but I tire of the situation.
The only way people care is if pretend to be happy. Everyone expects me to just fix it and get over it. And yet no one cares enough to actually tell me how to do that or can empathize with my circumstance.

[Breanna_nonbinary]

Also I’m 48. It’s not like I haven’t tried. Or that this is a new problem.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Then this is what I suspected, you are living in the wrong culture, as sad as it is, I would not go as far as saying the wrong country, but I'm not far from saying it. If your surroundings are really unable to register anything, if your parents are offbeat, well, yeah, sorting such a level of shit alone is terrible.

[LiamJHayden]

I am not, but I suspect many, many, many people feel the same. It is not a recent phenomenon

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work. But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things..”

Henry David Thoreau

[Mwolf]

I am not diagnosed with depression, but there are days where anything and everything seems boring. A hobby I normally find fun I don't feel like doing and seems boring or I have absolutely no idea what I want to do that day other than just lie in bed the whole day. Especially on my worst days feeling crappy/in pain due to/from: Vaginismus, Dysmenorrhea, IBS-M, Migraines, Vulvodynia, Kyphosis, Nausea, Vomiting, Heartburn, Fatigue, Anxiety, and PTSD.

[Saggitariusdiva]

I also suffer from all these except vaginismus, IBS-M and kyphosis
Add Anaemia to my list🤝

[Saggitariusdiva]

Oh I also DON'T have Vulvodynia

[SweetJoyGirl]

I am sorry you are going through that. There are other people struggling with something similar, if not the same thing, so you are not alone.

Please, see a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist. They would be more than happy to help you with that. It is better to get professional help than G@G help. 💜

[Breanna_nonbinary]

My wife is a therapist.

[SweetJoyGirl]

Yikesss
I don't know what state you are in, but in my state, therapists can’t counsel family members.

[Breanna_nonbinary]

The point is I have the support I need. The problem is the feeling never goes away.

[PeachyPie93]

I used to be like that since I was 10 but I am finally beginning to accept myself, my life and my choices, I also got my anxiety treated and I feel much better. I still ain't super happy or anything but I'm content and I stopped reminiscing in misery.

[motownplayer2000]

Nah, counterproductive to fake something you aren’t. It’s healthier to show it. Or share it. If people are uncomfortable, cool. But don’t mistake being authentic with doing whatever you want under that feeling. Control your actions, you are responsible for that. But don’t be fske.

[dragoblack]

First off, ditch the mask, it's just making it worse. Masking is only good for the workplace, not private life.
Focus on what brings you joy, and stop caring what people think. If you worry about what everyone thinks and trying to always do what makes them happy, you will feel worse and way more stressed.

[HawkPerception]

I'll be honest... that's life. Life sucks. Then you die. That's how it is for a lot of people.

[Breanna_nonbinary]

Thank for the encouragement

[HawkPerception]

It was a bit of dark humor mixed with honest melancholy
You asked a question and I answered. You did not ask for encouragement. If you did want encouragement, you should've asked something like "I'm depressed. Can you give me a little encouragement to keep living?" instead of asking a different question then attacking someone for an opinion.

Life is tough. You can either cry about it and be one of those that let the waves drown them. Or you can go with the flow and surf them. Everyone has their own demons to fight. No one is special in that regard.

[Breanna_nonbinary]

Whatever

[HawkPerception]

Should've guessed from your username you'd be offended

[Breanna_nonbinary]

So basically you’re assuming something about a certain types of people. That’s called racism. Go fuck yourself.

[JSkye]

You are not the only one. Until recently, that was my life

[DrPepper12]

<<< Raises 🤚🏻 tepidly from the back of the room hoping not to be noticed but had a brief internal argument with myself and the bolder side won so here I am raising my hand >>>

PLEASE DONT MAKE EYE CONTACT!!!

[Breanna_nonbinary]

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

it looks like a metaphor talking about a classroom

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

but yes, the huh cat is also my first reaction, at face value

[strateguy632]

Not me when i am down feeling low i don't hide it, except during a job interview i know to hide it even when i feeling hopeless

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

You should probably see a psychologist and see about getting some meds. They can be really good.

[Breanna_nonbinary]

Already been there and done that. Didn’t help.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

Get some different meds then. Feeling “nothing” is usually a sign that they’re working

[Ms_Facesitter]

I suspect someone in my circle to be. She doesn't seem to be going through something and life is good for her. But something's haunting her.

[Lynx122]

I think there's quite a few people who do that but I'm not one of them.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Chicago White Sox fans do !!! (At 31-99, they're on pace for a modern MLB record 122 losses.)

[Hello37736262]

I think u have to do it in this society Bec else people will not respect you

[Anonymous]

I'm not even trying to look happy, because I'm not :(

[Jennz6]

Yes, sometimes I do

[Ladsin2]

I presume not, but I'm not.

[CubaPirate]

Smokey Robinson

[justme444]

Yes I can relate.

[_Senorita_]

Yupe me right now🙂

[Sharkstealth]

I always am.