The pressure to be happy makes us more depressed: why hiding feelings hurts our mental health.

It is best not to try to be happy !, This was the main point in a research published in the Journal of Depression and Anxiety journal.

The researchers found that the greater the pressure on a person not to be sad, the more he feels depressed.

In the study, 112 participants assessed their signs of depression and the level of social pressure to stop feeling depressed or stressed. The participants wrote their daily diaries online, and the team found that community standards contributed to depression and that the community's disregard of negative emotions had a detrimental effect.

"The rates of depression are higher in countries that make happiness an end and a goal rather than a byproduct of a bus life," says social psychologist Brook Bastian. "The smiling faces fill social networking pages, We feel, which reinforces the idea that we must have positive emotions to the fullest, and avoid any negative feelings. "

There are several psychological and physical signs of depression. According to WebMd, depressed people often feel sad, empty, and tense. They often feel bad about themselves, and blame themselves too much for their mistakes. The feeling of pessimism, hopelessness, and discomfort are also linked to depression. Severe, may be accompanied by thoughts of suicide.

You may not feel physically that you are less active. You may find it difficult to complete your daily routines, or to participate in your favorite hobbies. Some may find it difficult to focus even on the simplest tasks, such as reading or watching a movie. Depression may hinder sleep and also cause physical pain , According to (WebMd).

"In order to alleviate depression, society has to remove the stigma attached to it," says Bastian. "Educational programs have a big role to play in making it normal, nothing to hide or be ashamed of." We are very familiar with the social norm that states So when we hear news like a famous personal ad that she has suffered an abortion and that she will take a recuperation period, or a political man says that he will move away from the scene a bit to relax from burdens and pressures. Work, it affects us very much. "

Social networking pages are often used to highlight just the happy moments, but there are some celebrities who share the difficult daily moments and challenges we have to endure. For example, actress Shannon Doherty has published her cancer diagnosis and photos and is being treated with Instagram. .

"Such news is the harsh reality that represents our lives," Bastian says. "Their participation does not frustrate people, it makes them more connected."