Smiling Depression: What you need to know about

Depression is usually associated with sorrow, lethargy, and despair — someone who can't get it out of bed. Although someone experiencing depression can undoubtedly feel these things, how depression presents itself can vary from person to person.

"Smiling depression" is a term for someone living with depression on the inside while appearing completely happy or happy on the outside. Their public life is usually one that is "put together," perhaps even what some would call normal or perfect.

Smiling depression is not recognized as a condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) but is likely to be diagnosed as a major depressive disorder with atypical features.
Dr. Manju Antil, PhD

Dr. Manju Antil, Ph.D. is a counseling psychologist, psychotherapist, and founder of Wellnessnetic Care, dedicated to promoting mental health and digital well-being. With over seven years of experience, she currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Apeejay Stya University and has previously taught at K.R. Mangalam University. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Kurukshetra University, specializing in projective techniques and suicidal ideation. A former Research Fellow at NCERT, Dr. Antil has authored 14+ research papers and 15 book chapters, and regularly presents at national and international forums. Her clinical work focuses on anxiety, depression, trauma, and digital fatigue using CBT, mindfulness, and psychodynamic approaches. She is a life member of the APA, BCPA, and Somatic Inkblot Society, and actively shares mental health content through her blog, podcast, and social media—aiming to make psychology accessible and therapy approachable for all.

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