Know about Depression, First
Depression is a mental illness, even if it is included in the category of common mental illnesses. People may not always feel secure or at ease discussing their mental or physical health. Plenty of people make a significant effort to keep this information private. Others might choose to remain silent about their signs or condition; they are under no obligation to. This decision is one that each person is free to make for himself.
However, one might be shocked if they are forced to reveal their condition for any reason. The person can dismiss their experience by saying, “You don’t seem depressed to me,” or it is okay if you don’t want to share the opinion. It’s not always feasible to fully comprehend another person’s feelings. A person only gets what they offer, and some people have worked diligently for years to create a mask to put on in front of other people.
Depression Symptoms
Before going forward, one should be aware that many depressive symptoms are difficult to identify. On the exterior, someone could appear healthy, but internally, they might be going through some terrible symptoms. Even though depression is difficult to identify, there are several symptoms that can tell if someone is being honest about their feelings or just acting down.
People suffering from depression:
- Cannot think properly, face difficulties to memorize, or make clever decisions
- Seem tired and drained out
- The person may talk on guilt feelings, helplessness, or worthlessness
- Appear negative about life
- Have sleep issues
- Appear irritable or restless
- May lose interest in things they used to enjoy earlier
- The person may face difficulties to maintain weight
- Complaining of pain that may not be heal with treatment
- Seem sad
- Look anxious
- The person may talk on suicide or self-harm.
Do People Really Fake Depression, and Why?
Depression, a common mental illness, can vary in terms of severity. Moreover, there are numerous variations on depression. Given the prevalence of the ailment and the abundance of information available about it, it is undoubtedly possible to comprehend the sickness thoroughly enough to pass for ill. A dreadful mental health issue is depression. It’s terrible to have depression and have to live with it.
So why people fake depression?
- To receive a kind of sympathy or disability insurance payments, for instance
- As a symptom of another mental health disorder
- Hoping to avoid a negative consequence, like, a jail sentence.
In other words, a lot of people who pretend to be depressed, do so to get something—either a benefit or to get out of a bad circumstance. However, there are also some who fake depression who have real mental health problems.
What Can be Done if Anyone is Faking Depression?
Unfortunately, one can assume that a person with depression is fine or is just “faking it” when one watches them smiling and acting normal. However, one should not only focus on the obvious symptoms of depression when discussing it.
Never judge a book by its cover, as they say. Although the internal pages might be falling apart at the seams, the cover might look excellent. It doesn’t necessarily follow that someone is depressed if one can’t notice the symptoms of depression or if one can see the exaggerated symptoms of sadness.
To check if a loved one is faking depression, he/she needs to be paid attention to the signs and symptoms that can’t be seen clearly, including:
- Struggling to find motivation
- The sleeping pattern
- Less concentration on regular tasks, and more.
Faking depression is possible, and to some extent, “faking depression” can also be regarded a factitious condition.
The stigma associated with mental diseases persists, which keeps individuals who are actually struggling from getting the support they require to get through difficult times. The perception that someone is “faking it” or restraining their symptoms significantly contributes to the stigma. Although it may have an impact on one’s loved ones, it’s vital to remember that people who actually deal with depression lead hard lives. Faking depression is a real condition.
One can try to concentrate on being a rock of support for others who are exhibiting “false depression” rather than focusing on them. As most people are aware, just because someone is acting depressed doesn’t imply they aren’t dealing with a mental health issue. Malingering is still a mental health condition that needs to be taken seriously.
Encourage the people we care about to obtain the help they require. Leave the diagnosis to the experts and concentrate on supporting a loved one rather than self-diagnosing or judging.
One should also know about these Related Mental Health Problems
A few mental health conditions can resemble fake despair quite a bit. And in certain cases, pretending to be depressed is a symptom. For instance:
- Munchausen Syndrome, nowadays more commonly referred to as Factitious Disorder, is a condition where a person frequently complains of symptoms they don’t actually have. They could also cause these symptoms in themselves.
- People with somatic symptom disorder have intense reactions to perceived or actual problems.
- Antisocial Personality Disorder, where the person may pretend to be depressed to avoid punishment for criminal actions.
People who pretend to be depressed occasionally do so because they have unmet needs that they are unsure how to satisfy. For instance, they could be jealous or insecure. Depression, a sort of attention-seeking, results from this. It’s hardly the most effective technique to attract attention, but it’s still a cry for assistance.
What Could be a Better Option than Judging?
Believe someone when they say they suffer from depression. It is silly for someone to pretend to be depressed. Since there is still a great deal of stigma attached to mental health disorders, despite greater dialogues about it. Please refrain from evaluating the truth of their assertion. Don’t demand evidence. Last but not least, refrain from offering unwanted advice.
Give them the benefit of the doubt if you genuinely believe they are depressed-free. They most likely to suffer from a mental illness on a deeper level. Inform them that self-diagnosis might be risky and that they should avoid it. Request that they speak with a qualified therapist. The therapist can then identify the precise condition they have.
Wrap Up
Faking depression is a sign of depression or another mental illness in and of itself. Therefore, it’s crucial to consult with a qualified psychologist to ascertain whether a loved one is experiencing clinical depression or if there is another issue that has to be resolved. Last but not least, never attempt to diagnose or treat depression by self; instead, consult a licensed psychologist since they could offer right help at the right time.