According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are around 332 million reported cases of depression across the world, but there may well be many more because people are often too ashamed or fearful to admit to themselves or to others that they need help. Others do not see the symptoms or do not know they should be looking out for them.
Sara’s experience illustrates this perfectly. Each day, she rouses herself early, ready for a day at work; she is faring well and maintaining good relations with her co-workers. However, in reality, Sara feels somewhat lifeless and lacks energy. Food no longer attracts her, nor does she get as excited about her success at work anymore. This condition is actually called a silent depression. It is a form of depression that can be difficult to pinpoint. However, depression is a treatable mental health condition. Every form of depression treatment are avaialble. To learn more about silent depression, read on.
Table of Contents
What is silent depression called?
A silent depression is the name used to describe a condition where a person struggles with their internal emotional conflicts even as they try to go about their everyday routines. A few of the signs that may be an indication of the condition include:
Constant fatigue and low energy levels:
Regardless of how many hours they sleep at night, a person experiencing this symptom will continue to feel exhausted and unable to properly function. Unlike typical tiredness, which could be resolved with a cup of coffee, these instances of fatigue will always return over and over again. People in this state will often feel as if they are constantly being chased but never getting a chance to stop and rest.
Changes in eating habits and appetite:
Depression can manifest as a reduced interest in eating and can cause someone to skip regular meals. In other cases, it can trigger over-eating and can cause a person to eat foods they normally wouldn’t eat, such as sweets or fast food products, to divert them from their current state of mind.
Difficulties in sleeping:
In this condition, many people may sleep less. Some may experience the opposite: sleeping too much, waking up very early, and being unable to fall back to sleep, or even dozing off during the daytime.
Lack of interest:
A key symptom of depression is a lack of interest; people experiencing this may:
- Start losing their enthusiasm for activities that they would previously enjoy.
- Start isolating themselves from their group of friends and peers.
- Start declining or canceling previously scheduled social gatherings, meetings, and events with others.
- Choose to spend the time on their own while avoiding other people.
In many cases, the isolation will usually begin slowly, and most times, the person does not realize they are drifting away from their social connections until it is too late.
Abuse of substances:
A person suffering from silent depression may choose to turn to some alternative, like having several drinks of alcohol following work or taking medications without a prescription to help them calm down or cope with their emotional turmoil, or try to avoid it altogether.
Note that these may help them to get through the day with a little temporary comfort. Yet, such substance abuse could worsen a person’s depression in the long run.
Pretending to be happy:
Many individuals with mild symptoms of depression, such as changes in appetite or sleeping patterns, may still be able to maintain a happy face on the surface. They’ll put a smile on even when they feel empty. They can laugh over a bad joke. And even when you ask them how they are doing, they’ll always reply, “I’m doing great.”
Becoming a workaholic:
Some people use work as a way to escape their emotions. They stay late at the office, take on extra projects, or work on weekends. Work is a way for them to forget their inner pain.
Working hard might not be that bad, but working beyond that no longer feels like pleasure itself is just an excuse to hide an inner battle.
Why is silent depression dangerous?
There are several reasons why silent depression can be dangerous. These include:
- Barriers related to culture and society:
Many cultures discourage open discussion of mental disorders. As a result, many people who suffer from depression will feel like they cannot reach out for assistance or support through phrases such as “Stay Positive” or “Stay strong” and instead will keep their negative feelings hidden from coworkers, friends, and family, as well as on social media sites.
- Physical health consequences:
The many physical manifestations that may result from not seeking treatment for silent depression may lead to long-term health consequences such as hypertension (chronic high blood pressure), impaired immune function, chronic pain, etc. The body responds to stress through various physical symptoms, including headaches, stomachaches, and profound fatigue. These effects may ultimately lead to long-term health problems.
How to pull yourself out of depression?
You can go from being silent about your silent depression to having your feelings heard by:
- Developing a language to express it:
Name your feeling. Is it “empty,” “tired,” or “numb”? When you can name a feeling or express it, in the moment, it becomes easier to speak up when you need help.
- Creating a safe space:
Try asking, “How are you really?” Instead of the typical answer “I’m okay,” speak truth to your family or friends.
- Seek professional help:
Even if your symptoms are not as severe, a mental health professional, such as a board-certified integrative psychiatrist, can help you to assess your condition and give you a formal diagnosis. They can diagnosis thorougly and develop an effective holistic treatment plan to help you. The treatment plan will be determined by the severity of your condition, as well as the underlying cause. Examples can include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), medication, or even peer support groups.
With telehealth, it’s now easy to connect with a board-certified psychiatrist through platforms like GABA Telepsychiatry, which is available 24/7. Telehealth allows you to connect with a psychiatric care expert from the comfort of your home, while maintaining confidentiality and security.
- Don’t isolate yourself from others:
A text message, an invitation to have lunch, or even just spending time with your family or pet can help deal with sadness and find ways to lift it.
- Practicing self-care:
Getting a full night’s sleep, eating a healthy meal, and taking a 30-minute walk around the block can do wonders. They may not be the complete cure to your depression, but they will make you feel better and help you get started on the healing.
The Takeaway
Silent depression, like all depression, is a mental health problem that can be treated. So, if you’ve found the above familiar with yourself, don’t suffer in silence. Your suffering may be invisible to others, but it is real. Professional help can also be an important turning point in finding a solution to your suffering because the goal is to help you understand what works best for you.
