• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Archives
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
The Brain Health Magazine
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Archives
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Brain Health Magazine
No Result
View All Result

Do You Grin and Bear It?

Mental Health Issue

in Mental Health
November 13, 2020
0
Finding Solace

Portrait of beautiful african american woman smiling and looking away at park during sunset. Outdoor portrait of a smiling black girl. Happy cheerful girl laughing at park with colored hair band.

by Kelly Harrigan

Is this you? When someone is asked to describe you, they say you are an active, happy, outgoing person. Your friends say you’re a great cheerleader and a huge support to them. Co-workers are amazed at how efficient you are at your job. Your house always looks wonderful. Your typical response is “Everything’s great!”

Yet inside, you feel alone, sad, exhausted beyond words. You suffer from a lack of self-confidence. You do not enjoy your hobbies as much as you once did.

You may be someone who suffers from “smiling depression.”

You present a façade to the world because you  think that others are worse off, so why complain? Maybe you feel you are placing a burden on your loved ones if you express your true emotions or that you would be perceived as a “weak” individual. The phrase “I’m fine” gets harder to say every time you’re asked how you are.

The Glitz and the Glamour

We live in an age where almost two-thirds of Americans are on social media and people are inundated with pictures of how seemingly great everyone else’s life is. You follow all your favorite celebrities’ handles and your friends always post their best moments. You may feel that everyone else is living their fairy tale so why didn’t yours come true?

That is a misperception. Most people don’t want to express to the world on social media sites that they aren’t living their best life every minute for fear of being rejected, being told to try harder, or to buck up and get on with it. To quote Rufus Sewell’s character in “A Knight’s Tale,” “You have been weighed. You have been measured. You have absolutely been found wanting.” No one wants to be judged, feel as though a stigma is attached to them, or that they’ve been labeled a “problem.” This constant presentation of people’s best sides on social media creates a void of realness and paves the way for high-functioning individuals to smile as they silently suffer.

Great expectations may also increase your risk of smiling depression. Perhaps you are a perfectionist. You feel you ought to live up to the expectations of your family, friends, and co-workers. Or maybe after scrolling through your social media feed, you feel pressured to be bigger and better at everything. Perceptions of what others desire of you, or the impossibly high standards you set for yourself, can lead to an increased risk of smiling depression.

I don’t have any depressive symptoms.

The WHO (World Health Organization) has presented research showing that people suffering from smiling depression often present conflicting depressive symptoms to that of classic depression, which may complicate a diagnosis. Maybe you think it is easier to cheer up your friends than yourself. You laugh along yet inside there is an emptiness. You tell yourself everything is fine although it’s exhausting to present that façade to everyone. That sense of loneliness is pervasive because you think no one would understand you. You cannot self-validate and use self-deprecating humor to cover your true feelings. You cry when you are alone. You’ve built this fortress around your heart with walls that extend a mile high. You don’t want to be a burden because you have to be strong for others. You experience physical symptoms related to depression which doctors may incorrectly diagnose as a physical ailment. You deserve an Academy Award for Best Actor/Actress in a starring role from the feature film “Your Life.” These statements present the picture of how smiling depression manifests itself.

Treatments include medication, psychotherapy and, of course, lifestyle changes. It could be the hardest thing for you to do, but it may be the most important step you can take for yourself: Talk to someone. Let us see your genuine smile.

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare Via EmailPinterest
Next Post

Omega 3 Fatty Acids: An Overview

SIGN UP

BLOG

Eye-Ear Connection Plays Major Role in Proprioception

Eye-Ear Connection Plays Major Role in Proprioception

By Deborah Zelinsky, O.D. “Vestibular information is integrated with proprioceptive and other sensory inputs to generate our sense of motion,” say authors of a recent study published in a 2021 issue of Current Opinion in Physiology (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cophys.2020.12.001). This explains why patients with vestibular sensory loss or other vestibular impairments find “everyday activities like walking” to […]

Read more
Proprioception and TBI

Proprioception and TBI

by James A. Heuer, PA Proprioception, simplified, is disturbed balance. Proprioception is how a person knows the position of the body, the location of their legs or arms, and how their head is held. It is the awareness of where the body is, and it is learned throughout a person’s lifespan. As muscles strengthen, they […]

Read more
Smoky Quartz for Balancing and Grounding

Smoky Quartz for Balancing and Grounding

By Kristen Brown Owning your place and space in the world takes a powerful mindset. Whether it’s navigating terrain physically or navigating situations mentally and emotionally, you will always find opportunities to see and feel where you’re at in the moment. One simple way to bring more awareness to your body, mind, and spirit is […]

Read more
This Professional Speaker & Auctioneer Couldn't Talk Her Way Out of Brain Injury Symptoms

This Professional Speaker & Auctioneer Couldn’t Talk Her Way Out of Brain Injury Symptoms

By Ed Roth Letitia Frye will be the first to tell you she doesn’t sugar coat anything. But she did try to hide a few things, namely the ocular and physical limitations her brain injury caused her at work and home. West Coast-born, East-Coast raised, Letitia doesn’t have a 9-5 desk job or a typical […]

Read more
Our Children are Our Legacy: Ensuring a Daughter's Success

Our Children are Our Legacy: Ensuring a Daughter’s Success

By Ian Hebeisen 20 years ago, Mike Lang returned home to find his house empty – not unusual, since he knew his wife Kelly and their two daughters were at a ballet rehearsal. Upon checking the answering machine, however, Mike learned that they never made it to their destination. “The message was from our friend […]

Read more
Joy Essential Oil

Joy Essential Oil

By Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief A complementary tool that can help you achieve a healthy lifestyle, essential oils are easy to use and smell great, with a variety of uses. All oils are not created equal. I personally only trust the Young Living brand because I know they maintain complete control over their product from seed […]

Read more
From Concussion to Competition

From Concussion to Competition

By Mohammed Elamir, MD, FACP, Aviv Clinics Physician When 14-year-old Linden Perry came to Aviv Clinics, we asked about her expectations of our program. “I just want to be me,” she answered. It’s a response we hear frequently at Aviv Clinics, where our unique, comprehensive medical program helps people improve their brain function. Whether they […]

Read more
Proprioception: a Mind-Body Connection

Proprioception: a Mind-Body Connection

by Dr. Kassie Kaas, DC Proprioception, also referred to as kinesthesia, is defined as your ability to sense your movement or body position. That internal awareness helps you determine if you are standing, seated, in motion, or experiencing a gravitational force even with your eyes closed. Millions of special receptors located in joints, tendons, skin […]

Read more
Mexican Fried Rice

Mexican Fried Rice

by Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief What You Need: 7 oz. (300g) chicken breast 2 cloves garlic, crushed scant ½ cup (100g) rice 2 tbsp. coconut oil ½ red onion, chopped 1 red pepper, diced ⅜ cup (100g) sweetcorn, drained ½ cup (100g) red kidney beans, drained 1 tomato, peeled, chopped 1 avocado, stone removed, flesh diced […]

Read more

INSTAGRAM

Follow Us!

  • And these are just the reported numbers. There are estimates that this number is likely double!!! Chances are you or someone you love will experience a TBI in their lifetime. 

#tbi #braininjury #pcs #concussion #advocacy
  • Just received the newest issue of @miradormagazine …Mirador is an age-appropriate, dementia-friendly publication created for people experiencing cognitive change.

I am contributing a regular seated yoga feature in each issue … because yoga is so important for neuroplasticity and overall brain health. 

#brainhealth #neuroplasticity #dementia #cognitivedecline #braininjury #tbi #abi #concussion #pcs #dementiafriendly #seatedyoga #chairyoga #accessibleyoga
  • Today is World Disability Day, also known as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. 

As someone living with an invisible disability I take a lot of pride in educating others that not all disabilities are seen, and to never judge a book by its cover. 

Someone may look or seem able bodied, but you should never make a blanket judgement about what they should or shouldn’t be able to do. 

I use the elevator a LOT to go up just one short of flight of stairs. It’s really annoying when someone says something like “let’s just take the stairs” because they don’t want to be inconvenienced by waiting for the elevator, without taking my needs into consideration. 

I get it, I look fine and able bodied. It’s easy to forget that I’m disabled. 

But this is exactly why I take these moments to share and educate. 

If you’ve followed me for any amount of time, you know I’ve spent hours lobbying at the State Capitol and the Nation’s Capitol for disability rights. I also started an awareness campaign called #NOTINVISIBLE (right before the pandemic hit). I take awareness and education very seriously, and am always looking for groups to speak at if you know any! 

What are YOU going to do today to celebrate? 

#worlddisabilityday #disabilityday #dayofpersonswithdisabilities #iamdisabled #invisibledisability
  • The FREE @LoveYourBrain Mindset Challenge starts now! 

Give yourself the gift of balance, PLUS a chance to win great prizes when you sign up before November 18th.

The end of the year can be filled with busyness, overload, and difficult emotions. That’s why they’re inviting you to find balance and tap into inner peace, resilience, and overall well-being this season!

When you join the challenge you
  • Look what I picked up from the printer!! It’s here and it’s almost ready to ship! There’s still time to order your copy 

www.concussiondiscussions.com/pre-order
  • Day four lineup 
@integratedbraincenters 
@drkassie_k 
@healthybrainnow 
www.concussiondiscussions.com 

#concussion #braininjury #tbi #pcs #postconcussionsyndrome #postconcussionrecovery
  • Day Three Lineup: 
@amyzellmer 
MO Functional Neurology 
www.concussiondiscussions.com

#concussiondiscussions #concussion #pcs #postcincussionsyndrome #postconcussionrecovery #braininjury #tbi
  • Day Two’s lineup:
@the_shiu_clinic 
@healthybrainnow 
@portlandchiropracticneurology1 
@northwestfunctionalneuro 

#concussiondiscussions #concussion #braininjury #tbi #pcs #postconcussionsyndrome #postconcussionrecovery
  • Today is DAY ONE of the Concussion Discussions and our lineup is: 
@healingresponse 
@integratedbraincenters 
@kaplanbrainandbody 

There’s still time to register and get in on this free virtual summit! 
www.concussiondiscussions.com

#braininjury #concussion #tbi #pcs #postconcussionsyndrome #postconcussionrecovery #functionalneurology #funcneuro

© Copyright 2019 | The Brain Health Magazine

  • Advertise With Us
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Contact Us

DISCLAIMER: THIS MAGAZINE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE - View PDF

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Archives
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.