A Smiling Depressive - Depression Message Board

chris c · 11-22-2002, 05:00 PM

Has anyone heard of this term used by my doctor today??
I am feeling really well now after really suffering badly(loads of different drugs, 2 courses of ECT, 2suicide attempts)I am on 150mg of amitryptiline and doing great but just curious. As long as I stay this well he can call it what he likes, but I have never heard it used before.

hellonwhls · 11-22-2002, 10:39 PM

Hi there!
I havent heard this term before either, but hear it a lot from my friends. (who understand nothing about depression, other than the old school thinking of mental illness) I am usually in fine form on the outside, while turmoil rules me on the inside. Glad to hear you are looking AND feeling good!

hellonwhls

scrappymum · 11-23-2002, 05:55 AM

Hi - it's probably just a non-medical term for someone (like myself, as well) who can be deeply depressed, but still manages to shower, put on makeup, and smile when the situation deems it necessary....which makes some people wonder if we are truly depressed, (I HATE when a friend will say, "But you don't LOOK depressed")....!! I will have to remember that - "A smiling depressive..!"

11-23-2002, 07:21 AM

Hi Chris,

I don't care what it's called as long as you keep smiling and the depression stays away.

Many hugs my dear friend.

(((((((((((((((Chris))))))))))))

ffsmith · 11-23-2002, 05:42 PM

You seem to be a smiling person who was a depressive
but is doing well at the moment.

Like some of the others have said, when I hear the term I think of how badly I feel. But I think I usually smile and give my standard nervous responses in the group and with the therapist. In general I smile when I deal with people.

But this smile has nothing to do with happiness.