Just Smile

[aj24]

I've always known that I smile when I am in an uncomfortable situation to help ease the pain, but I never really realized that I smiled to hide all of my emotions. I don't even realize that I am smiling to hide anymore. My therapist and doctor have pointed it out to me lately. I just smile and hide everything from sad to happy. I don't show emotions because they can cause controversy and make me vulnerable. Anyone else hide everything? It really sucks when I'm trying to explain to my mom that I'm depressed and anxious since all she sees is a smile. Anyone got any ideas? I've gotten in such a habit, I can't seem to figure out a way out of it.

[NoAngel]

I know this. My parents typically ignored anything negative i ever say, I could say I was dying and they'd say 'that's nice'. It makes me want to scream. I smile too at dr etc now, I don't know what else to do other than saying 'I'm fine'

[inblack]

I do the same thing. I can't help it. Its like a protective coping mechanism I've learned over the years.

Its definitely a problem though when the way I feel on the inside won't show to Dr.s and I swear they think I'm feeling fine when I'm seriously ready to hurt myself. I just look like I'm doing fine.

[i.am.me]

hey

anyone that really knows you should know a 'real' smile from smile that says 'actually **** off i want to die'. and, i may be wrong here, but i only know from judging by my life, but generally people will do nothing about it until they have to.

why should they? if you smile and look fine; therefore you feel fine? but i'm sure they know you don't.

we all react in different ways, and hiding emotions is one of the easiest ways of coping. so, smiling may be hiding but, if the important people know you are hiding then what is the problem? smiling stops the whole world from knowing we are sad, or angry, or showing any feelings that we aim so hard to hide.

so, if you need to smile then smile. but know that you have someone to talk to, someone who knows the life behind the smile and someone who will be there for you. no matter where the smile comes from xx

[jenluvscupcakes]

i do the same . . i dont even realise, people ask if im ok sometimes, i just automatically say i am without thinking. it makes it really hard to share my feelings, so i dont usually share, i just smile and make jokes, it gets really tiring afetr a while but i dont know how to stop doing it