<h2>To find out how depression shows itself in ways other people canāt see, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MentalHealthOnTheMighty/posts/1862173497384693" target="_blank">we asked The Mighty mental health community</a> to share one thing people donāt realize theyāre doing because they have depression.</h2><p><strong><strong>Hereās what they had to say:</strong></strong></p><p><strong><strong>1.</strong></strong> āIn social situations, some people donāt realize I withdraw or donāt speak much because of depression. Instead, they think Iām being rude or purposefully antisocial.ā ā Laura B.</p><p><strong><strong>2.</strong></strong> āI struggle to get out of bed, sometimes for hours. Then just the thought of taking a shower is exhausting. If I manage to do that, I am ready for a nap. People donāt understand, but <a href="https://themighty.com/anxiety/" target="_blank">anxiety</a> and depression is exhausting, much like an actual physical fight with a professional boxer.ā ā Juli J.</p><p><strong><strong>3.</strong></strong> āAgreeing to social plans but canceling last minute. Using an excuse but really you just chickened out. It makes you think your friends donāt actually want to see you, they just feel bad. Obligation.ā ā Brynne L.</p><p><strong><strong>4.</strong></strong> āHiding in my phone. Yes, I am addicted to it, but not like other people. I donāt socialize, I play games or browse online stores to distract myself from my negative thoughts. Itās my safe bubble.ā ā Eveline L.</p><p><strong><strong>5.</strong></strong> āGoing to bed at 9 p.m. and sleeping throughout the night until 10 or 11 a.m.ā ā Karissa D.</p><p><strong><strong>6.</strong></strong> āIsolating myself, not living up to my potential at work due to lack of interest in anything, making self-deprecating jokes. Iāve said many times before, āI laugh, so that I donāt cry.ā Unfortunately, itās all too true.ā ā Kelly K.</p><p><strong><strong>7.</strong></strong> āWhen I reach out when Iām depressed itās ācause I am wanting to have someone to tell me Iām not alone. Not because I want attention.ā ā Tina B.</p><p><strong><strong>8.</strong></strong> āI donāt like talking on the phone. I prefer to text. Less pressure there. Also being anti-social. Not because I donāt like being around people, but because Iām pretty sure everyone canāt stand me.ā ā Meghan B.</p><p><strong><strong>9.</strong></strong> āI overcompensate in my work environment⦠and I work front line at a Fitness Centre, so I feel the need to portray an āextra happy, bubbly personality.ā As soon as I walk out the doors at the end of the day, I feel myself āfall.ā Itās exhausting⦠I am a professional at hiding it.ā ā Lynda H.</p><p><strong><strong>10.</strong></strong> āThe excessive drinking. Most people assume Iām trying to be the ālife of the partyā or just like drinking in general. I often get praised for it. But my issues are much deeper than that.ā ā Teresa A.</p><p><strong><strong>11.</strong></strong> āHiding out in my room for hours at a time watching Netflix or Hulu to distract my mind or taking frequent trips to the bathroom or into another room at social gatherings because social situations sometimes get to me.ā ā Kelci F.</p><p><strong><strong>12.</strong></strong> āSaying Iām tired or donāt feel good⦠they donāt realize how much depression can affect you physically as well as emotionally.ā ā Lauren G.</p><p><strong><strong>13.</strong></strong> āAnswering slowly. It makes my brain run slower, and I canāt think of the answers to the questions as quickly. Especially when someone is asking what I want to do ā I donāt really want anything. I isolate myself so I donāt have to be forced into a situation where I have to respond because itās exhausting.ā ā Erin W.</p><p><strong><strong>14.</strong></strong> āSometimes Iāll forget to eat all day. I can feel my stomach growling but donāt have the willpower to get up and make something to eat.ā ā Kenzi I.</p><p><strong><strong>15.</strong></strong> āI donāt talk much in large groups of people, especially when I first meet them. I withdraw because of my anxiety and depression. People think Iām āstuck up.ā Iām actually scared out of my mind worrying they donāt like me, or that they think Iām ācrazyā by just looking at meā¦ā ā Hanni W.</p><p><strong><strong>16.</strong></strong> āNot keeping in touch with anyone, bad personal hygiene and extremely bad reactions to seemingly trivial things.ā ā Jenny B.</p><p><strong><strong>17.</strong></strong> āBeing angry, mean or rude to people I love without realizing it in the moment. I realize my actions and words later and feel awful I had taken out my anger on people who donāt deserve it.ā ā Christie C.</p><p><strong><strong>18.</strong></strong> āPurposely working on the holidays so I can avoid spending time with family. Itās overwhelming to be around them and to talk about the future and life so I avoid it.ā ā Aislinn G.</p><p><strong><strong>19.</strong></strong> āMy house is a huge mess.ā ā Cynthia H.</p><p><strong><strong>20.</strong></strong> āI volunteer for everything, from going to PTO meetings to babysitting to cleaning someone elseās house for them. I surround myself with situations and obligations that force me to get out of bed and get out of the house because if Iām not needed, I wonāt be wanted.ā ā Carleigh W.</p><p><strong><strong>21.</strong></strong> āOverthinking everything and over-planning. The need to make everything perfect and everyone happy, even if itās taking all my energy. As if validation from someone else will make it all better. Sometimes I start out on high power, then just crash and donāt even enjoy what Iāve spent weeks/months planning. And no one will see me for months after, as I retreat into my safe bubble.ā ā Vicki G.</p><p><strong><strong>22.</strong></strong> āI smile all the time even though I donāt really want to, but I do it because I donāt feel like Iām allowed to be sad when Iām with other people. I also do whatever it takes to make someone else happy because since I donāt feel happy most of the time, it just makes me feel a little better seeing someone else happy. I also isolate myself even though sometimes I really just want someone around.ā ā Wendy E.</p><p><strong><strong>23.</strong></strong> āPeople donāt realize I say sorry before I even think about expressing any opinions because thatās how worthless I feel. Iām apologizing for feeling anything about anything because thatās how little I feel I matter. They donāt just know I feel like apologizing for even breathing in their general direction. I even say Iām sorry before asking to use the bathroom no matter how long Iāve held it. I feel like a burden for biological needs I have no control over.ā ā Amy Y.</p><p><strong><strong>24.</strong></strong> āNeglecting to do basic things like laundry, not wanting to cook a meal or eat. They think Iām being lazy.ā ā Rebecca R.</p><p><strong><strong>25.</strong></strong> āSometimes Iāll go days without speaking to anybody. People tend to believe Iām ignoring them on purpose when really I am just lost within myself. I donāt mean to seem like Iām pushing people away. Some days itās hard when my thoughts consume me and when I canāt find the motivation to do simple things that others do on a daily basis.ā ā Alyssa A.</p><p><strong><strong>26.</strong></strong> āPeople donāt realize I canāt say no without feeling guilty. I have to have a good enough reason for everything I do. I guess itās customary to try and convince someone to change their answer, but people have no idea how much it takes for me to say no in the first place. I feel worthless so much that I feel guilty for even thinking of putting my needs or wants first. Then I just feel like a doormat when I cave into the pressure. Itās a never-ending cycle.ā ā Amy Y.</p><p><strong><strong>27.</strong></strong> āI push away/cut off everyone who I care about because I canāt bear to be hurt by them! Everyone just thinks Iām mean and anti-social.ā ā Tina R.</p><p><strong><strong>28.</strong></strong> āGoing for late night walks by myself. My depression keeps me awake at night and my thoughts can get so overwhelming I feel physically crowded inside. Late night walks help me quiet the screaming in my head.ā ā Lynnie L.</p><p><strong><strong>29.</strong></strong> āI have often been accused of having āno sense of humor.ā So wrong. Before depression took over my life, I smiled and laughed as much as the next person. Now, having lived with depression for over 15 years, the humor I find in a joke or situation is rarely visible on my face or heard in my laugh. I feel humor, but itās just too much effort to express it. I donāt have the energy.ā ā Martha W.</p><p><strong><strong>30.</strong></strong> āKeeping the house dark is a comfort thing for me. People always point it out, like, āNo wonder youāre so depressed. You need to let some light in.ā Darkness in my living space makes me feel comfortable, almost like Iām not alone. Good days, Iām all about the sunshine!ā ā Michelle T.</p>
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