This is not sadness. Depression is not the blues, and no, it's not linked to bad weather. We associate it with gloom and a sense of emptiness, and that's not surprising – because these are its primary symptoms. But depression is nasty and insidious. It can hide from a doctor, from loved ones, and especially – from the person suffering from it. Discover the masks of depression.
Fighting depression and stereotypes, but by a mobile operator? What?! Well, ahoy, we are a mobile operator, but a community-oriented one! At Mobile Vikings, we care not only about our own, and socially important topics are close to our hearts. We break patterns not only in the telco industry. Life Rafts is a project that functions thanks to the dedicated Viking community.
The line between sadness and depression is fluid. Depression itself may not be the primary disorder; it can accompany another illness. In addition, it often has an individual course. All of this means not only diagnostic difficulties and errors.
Masks of depression – how it hides
Depression can hide from a doctor, from loved ones, and especially – from the person suffering from it. It wears masks. And unfortunately – it often operates in secret.
Many of us think of depression as unending sadness. But the matter is much more complex. Depression doesn't always look like it does in movies – with immobility, tears, and an empty gaze. It can also look like:
- a perfectly organized calendar,
- an endless to-do list,
- a sharp wit and a smile all around,
- or chronic fatigue and irritability that no one can explain.
These are the very masks of depression – mechanisms that allow the afflicted person to survive by hiding symptoms even from themselves.
Depression rarely screams. More often, it whispers, pretends to be something else. See what else can be such a "mask":
- workaholism – an escape into duties to avoid confronting emotions,
- anger and irritability – instead of sadness, anger appears,
- perfectionism – a desire for control meant to suppress inner chaos,
- guilt – sometimes so strong that it poisons every positive moment,
- somatic symptoms – i.e., physical ailments like headaches, digestive problems, skin itching, which... have no clear cause.
Masks of depression. How to recognize depression – beyond classic symptoms?
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) states clearly: to diagnose a depressive episode, symptoms must last for a minimum of two weeks and include at least 5 out of 10 specific symptoms (including at least one from the mood group). But it's also worth listening to your body and daily behaviors.
Pay attention if:
You feel:
- chronic fatigue,
- a sense of being overwhelmed,
- irritability, outbursts of anger.
You observe in yourself:
- weight loss or appetite problems,
- reduced social contact,
- loss of interest in things that previously brought joy,
- difficulty coping with stress,
- decreased self-esteem, lack of self-confidence,
- pessimism, anxiety, insomnia, or excessive sleepiness.
And if all of this persists for longer than two weeks – it's time to act. It won't go away on its own. But it can be treated.
Masks of depression and masked depression – what is that?
This is a particular type of depression that doesn't resemble depression at all. The person suffering doesn't feel sad – but experiences constant body aches, breathing problems, digestive issues, skin itching. From doctor to doctor, from test to test – and results are within normal limits.
These are the so-called somatic symptoms, which are real bodily signals but do not result from a physical illness. Here are some examples:
- digestive system: constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, bloating,
- circulatory system: heart palpitations, anxiety in the heart area, chest pressure,
- respiratory system: feeling of shortness of breath, shallow breathing,
- urogenital system: decreased libido, frequent urination,
- skin: itching, dry mucous membranes.
Does it sound familiar? This might be depression in disguise. Not everything is visible – and that's precisely why you need to be vigilant. Not every depression is sadness. Not every depression is tears. And not everyone who smiles is happy.
Therefore, talk, observe yourself and others, don't judge hastily, and if something worries you – react.
This article was created in cooperation with the Nie Widać Po Mnie Foundation, which is Mobile Vikings' Partner in the 12th edition of Life Rafts. Why a mobile operator decided to fight depression can be found on the LifeRafts.pl/Drop-the-burden website.
Also check:
- How does psychoeducation work?
- Stereotypical thinking about depression – fight it
- Not every crisis is a disorder
- Where to seek help?
Article reviewed for factual accuracy by experts from the Nie Widać Po Mnie Foundation.
