Edge Rewrite
location Source code View original
// request.cf · coarse context

A page that knows where it met you.

Only coarse request metadata is shown. This demo does not display or persist visitor IP addresses.

Country
US
Cloudflare location
CMH
Connection
HTTP/2
Language
Not provided

Ray ID: a4497bb74c7cd937

Jump to content

Smiling depression

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Smiling depression
Smiling depression can be like this ball, a person covering or masking their depression with smiling or joyful expressions
SymptomsLow mood, low self-esteem, loss of interest or pleasure, and other[1]
ComplicationsSuicide[2][3][4][5]
Duration2 weeks or a few months
CausesMajor life changes
Risk factorsDepression, Family history, Low mood
Differential diagnosisSad emotions, [1]
TreatmentCognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and medication[1]
Frequency15–40% (lifetime risk)

Smiling depression is a mental disorder which is linked to Major depressive disorder (MDD),[6][7][8][9] and it revolves around depression but the person who has it decides to cover or mask it with fake Happiness, smiling, and enthusiastic expressions.[5][10][11][12][13] Smiling depression can lead to low mood, low self-esteem, and loss of interest or pleasure which can last for 2 weeks,[1][14][15][16] or can last for months or years if left untreated without therapy.[7][16]

People with Smiling depression will mask their depression with joyful and cheerful expressions while hiding their depression not letting people know that they have it.[7][17][18] Just like depression, it can lead to Suicide,[1][15][2] low moods, sadness, and other emotions,[1][15][19] but the low moods and sadness is not expressed by the person who has Smiling depression due to them hiding or masking it, but they are highly functional and active since they are covering their depression with cheerful expressions.[19] Smiling depression is one of the most dangerous types of depression since it can lead to high risk of suicide.[20][21] About 15 to 40% of people have Smiling depression which is common amongst teenagers, young adults, and adults who are in their 40s.[22]

Signs and symptoms

[edit]

It is difficult to see if there is any signs of depression in smiling depression since it is covered with regular expressions and they will be highly functional and active doing their work job, around family, and friends and they are faking happiness which can make it difficult to see if they have depression.[10][23] They do this so nobody knows that they have depression and hide it to themselves not letting people know that they have it which if left untreated without therapy, Smiling depression can last for Weeks, months, years, or even decades.[13][22]

Smiling depression can lead to Suicide, suicidal ideation (or suicidal thoughts, or suicidal ideas).[3][4][15][16] Most symptoms are mostly emotion symptoms but are also medical symptoms mostly related to sad emotions and depressed feelings.[24][25][26] If covering the depression, it can lead to burnouts and could cause even worse issues with it.[26] Smiling depression is difficult to find if the person has depression because they are hiding it with a fake smile, they will go out and do their work job or job, and act like that they have a normal life, not letting people realise that they have depression.[27][28]

Causes

[edit]

Most causes of smiling depression is linked to Major depressive disorder (MDD) which can lead to smiling depression.[7][29][30] Major life changes can cause smiling depression due to the person moving to a new town or city that is unfamiliar or something that they miss, for example, an object that is important to the person who has smiling depression but the object was accidentally thrown out. Family history can also be the cause of Smiling depression due to one of the family members had depression at the time and is developing again.[22][31][32]

Brain Chemistry

[edit]

Neurobiologically, smiling depression involves structural or chemical dysregulation in brain pathways, specifically an imbalance between the amygdala (which processes the emotional threats and sadness) and the prefrontal cortex (which governs executive control, willpower, and emotional suppression).[31]

Treatment

[edit]

Although smiling depression is an unofficial name for a clinical condition, just like Major depressive disorder (MDD) and High functioning depression, therapy is a useful treatment for smiling depression like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and medication could be an effective treatment method which can slowly stop smiling depression.[1][15][29] These treatments can possibly be helpful just like Talk therapy, since the person with Smiling depression is discussing about their depression, about how they dont like themselves, or other related problems with it.[29]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 FNP, Kathleen Davis (2020-04-22). "Smiling depression: Symptoms, treatment, and what to know". www.medicalnewstoday.com. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  2. 1 2 "Prevent suicide: Identifying people with smiling depression". 2023-01-09. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  3. 1 2 amenclinics. "The Dangers of "Smiling Depression" | Amen Clinics". Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  4. 1 2 Remes, Olivia (2019-02-18). "'Smiling depression': it's possible to be depressed while appearing happy – here's why that's particularly dangerous". The Conversation. doi:10.64628/AB.555gfdpjd. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  5. 1 2 Team, ReachLink Editorial (2026-06-19). "Why People Who Look Happy Can Be Most at Risk". ReachLink. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  6. ↑ Houston, Dr Muiris. "What can we learn from 'smiling depression'?". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "The Secret Pain of "Smiling" Depression | Psychology Today". www.psychologytoday.com. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  8. ↑ "Smiling Depression: What You Need to Know - Sedona Sky Academy". www.sedonasky.org. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  9. ↑ Clinic, Adelphi Psych Medicine (2020-01-10). "Smiling Depression: A Dangerous and Hidden Mental Health Problem". Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  10. 1 2 Sharmin, Tohura; Gomes, Richmond (2025-06-16). "Understanding Smiling Depression: The Hidden Struggle Behind the Smile". Journal of Clinical Psychology and Neurology: 1–2. doi:10.61440/JCPN.2025.v3.49.
  11. ↑ Lawrence, Rebecca (2021-03-18). "When depression wears a smile, even psychiatrists like me can be deceived". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  12. ↑ Health, Mindful (2026-03-04). "What Is Smiling Depression? Signs, Brain Science & Treatment in Texas". Mindful Health. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  13. 1 2 Jha, Anshu; burnwal, Anubhava (2026-01-08). "Smiling Depression: when smile hides the pain". International Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 3: 569–580. doi:10.5281/zenodo.15150111.
  14. ↑ "What Is Smiling Depression?". HealthCentral. 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 "Smiling depression: meaning, symptoms and treatment". Priory. 2026-09-09. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  16. 1 2 3 anakim (2024-05-17). "Smiling Depression: The Hidden Struggle That No One is Talking About | Ep. 385". Therapy & Counseling for OCD & Eating Disorders. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  17. ↑ "What is Smiling Depression? | Mental Health". 2024-11-26. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  18. ↑ Rodriguez, Claudia (2021-06-22). "Smiling Depression: What It Is, Symptoms, and Treatments". Psych Central. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  19. 1 2 "Smiling Depression: Signs You're Hiding Depression". kinderinthekeys.com. 2026-06-10. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  20. ↑ Team, ReachLink Editorial (2026-06-04). "Why the Happiest People Hide the Worst Depression Inside". ReachLink. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  21. ↑ TheConversation.com (2019-09-09). "'Smiling depression': it's possible to be depressed while appearing happy – here's why that's particularly dangerous". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  22. 1 2 3 "What Is Smiling Depression? Signs, Causes, and When to Get Help - Still Mind Florida". 2024-12-22. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  23. ↑ vzaichenko (2022-01-17). "Smiling Depression: Symptoms, treatment, and what to know -Australia Counselling Directory". Retrieved 2026-10-03.
  24. ↑ Bonet, Anna (2024-11-15). "The signs you have 'smiling depression' - and what to do about it". The i Paper. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  25. ↑ M.D, Dr Eric Kaplan (2024-11-12). "Smiling Depression: Signs and Effective Depression Treatment". Harmony Hills. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  26. 1 2 "How Smiling Depression Secretly Affects: #1 Hard Truth". 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  27. ↑ Wu, Brian (2021-03-16). "What Is Smiling Depression?". Rehab One. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  28. ↑ "True Or False: Depressed People Rarely Smile". Women's Health. 2019-04-26. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  29. 1 2 3 acc.faith (2025-05-07). "Smiling Depression: Signs, Causes & How to Get Help". Faith behaviroal Health. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  30. ↑ "Why 'Smiling Depression' Is Particularly Difficult to Identify, Treat". www.theswaddle.com. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  31. 1 2 "Clinical psychologist Christine Catipon explains what "smiling depression" is". Los Angeles Times. 2022-03-17. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  32. ↑ "Smiling Depression: Don't Ignore These Hidden Signs & Risk Factors | Ubie Doctor's Note". ubiehealth.com. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Smiling_depression&oldid=1378139526"