Smiling depression is silent and dangerous, but it can be understood and cured. Smile is not always happiness. The word depression comes from the Latin: “depression nos”, which defines the term “depressun” which means the word “low”. Historically, depression has been debated by philosophers as an organic malfunction and in the literature it is characterized as a serious disorder, which compromises life in all its dimensions. In addition, it is a theme that has reverberated in recent decades, genetic, pathological, biochemical, psychological and environmental factors that may be involved in the origin and evolution of the disease.
Today, depression is the evil of the 21st century, an everyday phenomenon that affects children, young people, adults and the elderly, whether they are poor or rich, anonymous or famous.The depression reveals our human fragility, causing the feeling of emptiness, feeling of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, guilt and loss of the will to live, which leaves the body slow, tired, with insomnia and without libido. In fact, we can wake up one day too happy and the next day totally sad, believing that everything bad or wrong that happens in life is our fault.
Thus, “smiling depression” or atypical depression arose, which is when we get used to thinking that a smile is indicative of happiness. That is why there are people who are able to smile and live radiant moments, but who harbor intensely depressed or suicidal feelings.They do not create a “mask” to look like they are happy when they are in public, however, at home they are always sad and discouraged. For this reason, it is difficult to identify as people who suffer from smiling depression, because they pretend that they feel happy and do not appear to be depressed, as they have houses, cars, jobs, friends, spouses, children, etc.
There was a viral video of a girl “Ashia” Who belongs to Ahmedabad District of Gujarat. The same girl after recording that video suicided while jumping into Sabarmati river of Ahmedabad. I personally felt very sad and disappointed . How our sisters, brothers and mothers take a big decision of ending their lives instead of moving forward and turning back. We forget that Allah swt has greater plans for us., once we are in problem we forget to repent and pray to our Lord for goodness and His mercy. Many tv channels , anchors, writers, etc explained this incident from their own perspective. I here say what I felt that she was going through a depression which resulted in her sucide. Love yourself, forget your worst, forgive all who hurt and move on. Life is precious , let’s not waste it in fruitless means. live it believing in the virtues of goodness, patience (Sabr) Persistence,consistency and determination . Your life will become a symbol of unity and peace.
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American comedian and actor Jim Carrey revealed that he had this type of depression in an interview with a TV station:”There are peaks and valleys, but they are always dug and smoothed so that you feel permanent despair and are left with no answers, even if you live well.”And Carrey concluded:”You can smile when you’re at work, but you’re still at a low level of distress.”
Approximately 70% of people suffer from smiling depression, however, have those who can no longer bear the silence, danger and weight of wearing this mask for a long time, since depression goes beyond sadness, it affects individual and collective life everywhere and situations.However, it is good to say loud and clear, very intelligible, so that everyone hears and understands:Depression is neither freshness nor is it weakness, much less is the need to draw attention and it is not even the lack of Goodness and kindness in the heart. So it is not these discourses that help someone, but the respect and affection that protect those who suffer from the disease.
Finally, psychotherapy and antidepressants are the appropriate ways to treat depression, which can be understood and cured and Consultation is necessary., in addition to what is essential that friends and family understand the problem, deconstruct their prejudices, avoid judgments and offer affection and help.Our stubborn quest for “inner peace” will guarantee us the refined ability to shield ourselves from the dangers of the world and the greatest danger of all: to be included in the pain of the other.
Author can be reached at Sajadhassan316@gmail.com
