Risk Factors for Hidden Depression
Some major risk factors of hidden depression include:
– Judgment: Depression may exhibit differently in different cultures. In some communities, too much stigma and prejudice would increase the risk. For instance, some cultures see expressing emotions as showing laziness or weakness. Those people who think that they might be judged for showing symptoms of depression tend to cover their true emotions and thus increase the risk of hidden depression
– Expectations: Hidden depression may occur when people have unreal expectations of themselves. In addition, they may be affected by expectations from others, such as family, friends, or colleagues
– Major life changes: Job loss, divorce, broken relationships, or death of loved ones may all trigger hidden depression
– Social media: Many people tend to share good moments on social media, but avoid doing that in terrible situations. This would create a mask to cover their true emotions over time [4]
