The Illusion of Happiness
By: Shahid Ul Islam
In a world that often equates outward appearances with emotional well-being, many individuals grapple with an unsettling reality: they wear a mask of happiness while silently battling inner turmoil. This phenomenon, often referred to as “smiling depression,” highlights the stark contrast between one’s external demeanour and internal emotional state.
This disconnect raises a crucial question if we can’t see someone’s pain, does it mean it doesn’t exist? Unfortunately, many people are conditioned to hide their struggles behind a cheerful exterior, believing that vulnerability is a sign of weakness.
In such a world that often puts an equation between the outward appearances and inner emotional health; many silently bear with a bothersome truth: they wear masks of happiness while silently suffering within. This phenomenon called “smiling depression” often reflects the chasm between outer presentation and inner emotional state.
Smiling depression is often carried around like heavy armour in the persons who present simile-faces outwards and live silently within. They can be laughing, smiling, and perfectly interested, but beneath that mask lays a severe and stern battle with disability, themselves and despair. This makes one wonder; do they not exist if we can’t see the pain? Unfortunately, most people learn to keep their problems hidden behind a cheerful front since vulnerability is a symbol of weakness.
People with smiling depression usually maintain the daily routine of work or studies, attending social events. But they cannot get rid of their strong feeling of low self-esteem, restlessness, and helplessness. Tears unannounced and frustration mark their life as it becomes so much more difficult to find their battles. Notions of smiling depression symptoms tend not to look like classic descriptions of distress that sometimes leads to misunderstandings about their condition.
The findings also reveal that undiagnosed depression, and perhaps surprisingly so, in those who appear as if everything is fine increases the risk of suicide seriously and other very serious mental health issues. Their outer personality may be starkly inconsistent with their inner feelings, which may evoke feelings of loneliness, guilt, and shame. They become misunderstood and invalidated as people may feel and see them as “fine” or “happy-go-lucky”.
It is very important to create an environment that can freely discuss emotional pain without fear of judgment. The best way to break the stigma of depression is through open discussions about mental health. We may be able to support those suffering in silence through more understanding and compassion.
Smiling depression reminds us that one never really does know what lies beneath the surface and that outward appearances can be deceiving indeed. While a person may smile very well, or he or she does the smiling all the time and appears to be attending everything that’s happening, has an unseen war going on.
That reality is the first step of changing society toward a better community and empathy – people are safe enough to open up about their fight without judgment. Try looking beyond that smile and discuss mental health much deeper to help those in need and truly feel seen, heard, and helped.
It is essential to look beyond the smiles and engage in deeper conversations about mental health, helping those in need to feel seen, heard, and supported.
(The author is a law student and author of two books)
