26 Photos Showing That Depression Has No Face Or Mood

Depression does not discriminate between rich and poor, nor does it give one valid rhyme or reason regarding its origin. It just wearies and tires on out and makes them question life despite it being kind to them. 

Depression has taken the shape of a world epidemic in the past few years, primarily because it has been acknowledged for the grey monster that it is. It has been a specter in the world for the longest time and has been mentioned as “melancholy” even in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.

“In sooth, I know not why I am so sad. It wearies me; you say it wearies you.
But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, What stuff ’is made of, whereof it is born,
I am to learn. And such a want-wit sadness makes of me, That I have much ado to know myself.”

Very recently the hashtag #faceofdepression started doing the rounds of social media, where users posted pictures proving their point.

Here are 29 such pictures of otherwise happy and healthy people, who show that depression has no face.

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What does depression look like? Let me tell you … depression has NO face. Both of these photos are of a girl who struggles. Depression isn’t always crying on the bathroom floor. It exists behind smiles and laughter. It’s found at parties and graduations. It doesn’t care what color you are, your age, your gender. Depression doesn’t care how beautiful or successful you are. Do you ever hear people say ” but they had so much going for them. They were such a happy person. They had so many friends”. Because it’s true. Some of the kindest people are the ones with so much pain. We need to end the stigma. Depression has many faces and we need to continue to educate and support people with mental illness. Use your voice for people who can’t use theirs. Depression HAS NO FACE. #faceofdepression

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Aubrey (@aubernutter) στις 5 Οκτ, 2017 στις 12:20 μμ PDT

2.

This photo was taken just 7 hours before I tried to take my own life for the 3rd time. This photo was taken in the morning, we went for a walk and for some food with Eli. We laughed and enjoyed our time. That evening I took an overdose that left me in hospital for a week. . I had no idea I’d try to take my own life in the morning, I was smiling and loved the way my hair looked hence the selfie. Having BPD (undiagnosed for so long because the NHS wouldn’t listen) means that my mood can switch to suicidal in seconds over the slightest trigger. .

Suicidal isn’t just crying, for those with a troubled life and long build ups to breaking point, it’s also snap decisions made whilst your son sleeps in the same house and your loving partner kissed you goodnight hours before. . We need to learn how suicidal tendencies can present themselves beyond our ignorance to the topic. By listening and learning even the tiniest triggers/signs we can save lives. ❤

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Milly? (@selfloveclubb) στις 20 Σεπ, 2017 στις 11:21 πμ PDT

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Tw: talk of suicidal tendencies. . “You don’t look suicidal”… I remember these words coming from the Dr’s mouth right after I’d just told him that I was having thoughts of suicide. I remember in that moment my 14 year old self felt invalidation, dumb and embarrassed; something no one in that mindset should have to feel. I left feeling confused, what was I supposed to look like? A bottle of pills in one hand and a suicide note in the other? Those words nearly cost me my life, that judgment, those stupid stupid words. . I remember the night just last year that I spiralled and overdosed in my living room, I remember thinking to myself “I can’t get help, I don’t look suicidal, I don’t fit the bill, they’ll laugh at me”.

I remember thinking I must have looked the part, must have been wearing the suicidal costume properly when I woke up in Resus as all around me were concerned, worried and sad faces. By then this could have been too late, i might not have been there to see those sad faces if my partner hadn’t of saved my life. . This, this is the danger of thinking mental health has a ‘face’,a ‘look’. This is how stigma, ignorance and judgement towards mental health/suicide affects those who are poorly. . In both these photos i’m suicidal, perhaps not in the same way but on both of these days I had suicidal thoughts racing around. . Stop the judgment. Stop the stigma.

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Milly? (@selfloveclubb) στις 3 Σεπ, 2017 στις 11:05 πμ PDT

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Depression doesn’t have a ‘LOOK’ I can stand up, have a bomb ass day and still be suicidal. Depression is cruel and unforgiving, sometimes the day I ‘look’ the least depressed I’m suffering the hardest. . There’s a stigma of having to look fragile, broken, make up running, bottle of vodka and a suicide note in your hand to be worthy of help/attention for your pain. . Depression is cowering away in bed, Depression is also faking a smile in public, Depression is sometimes being exhausted getting out of bed.

Depression is also excessive bursts of energy to try and distract yourself, Depression is crying, self loathing and dread, Depression is also laughing and trying to fit in, Depression is dark black and cold, Depression is also leading a ‘normal’ life and appearing ‘functioning’ Depression is agony, Depression is also a friend, a comfort. Don’t judge. You never know what someone is going through behind a smile or a laugh. Be gentle. You’ve no idea how much a kind word could mean to someone. Depression doesn’t have a ‘face’, stop the stigma.

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Milly? (@selfloveclubb) στις 2 Αύγ, 2017 στις 11:51 πμ PDT

11.

#faceofdepression yes I have struggled with depression all my life. I have given birth to two beautiful children and they are my life. But sometimes the innocents cannot chase away the dark thoughts that constantly haunt my mind and reaps the joys which are life. Speak out! Life is to short to be quite and sit by. Life is full agony but embrace it and talk through it. Talk helps xoxo live life to the fullest even though it seems bleak.

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Bree Lowe (@beelowe1209) στις 5 Οκτ, 2017 στις 5:32 μμ PDT

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In every one of these photos taken over the last few days I have been feeling unbelievably down, anxious, worthless, unlovable and helpless. Depression isn’t one face. I can be bubbly and happy and positive and still depressed. I can be crying uncontrollably in a cupboard for two hours and be depressed, I can be working and productive and depressed.

Depression doesn’t go away because you have things to do or because you had a nice day. It doesn’t go away because you had a happy moment, It doesn’t go away because you have it better than that person, because you’re lucky to have wonderful people and things in your life, It doesn’t go away because you’re excited and the weather is nice.

It doesn’t go away because you spent time with your friends. Depression can wax and wane, it can ebb and flow. But depression is with me every day. This week has been a black week for me – but every one of these photos was taken in the last few days. Depression can be masked so be kind to people. Not every illness is visible and who knows how that stranger, colleague or even close friend really feels? #depression #anxiety #mentalhealth #faceofdepression #butyoudontlooksick #invisibledisability

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Alice Howarth (@aliceemmalouise) στις 4 Μάι, 2017 στις 2:37 μμ PDT

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Break down after break down. Depression isn’t pretty. It isn’t just feeling sad it’s a hopelessness, loss of motivation, fits of anger and sadness, feeling like there’s no point to anything, it’s pushing the people u care about away when all you want is to hold them close, it’s not understanding why you’re sad and angry constantly . it’s not pretty it’s not easy and it’s not something that you jus feel for a day. It ruins relationships causes fights and tension and hurts not just you but those around you

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Anna (@f0reveruam) στις 7 Αύγ, 2017 στις 7:18 μμ PDT

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Sometimes you get all dressed up and head out to celebrate a friend’s birthday and barely make it through dinner without having a panic attack and a cry in the toilets. Then sometimes you have to run home and just make it in your front door before you collapse on the floor and sob. Sometimes depression really fucking sucks and makes life really fucking hard. If anyone needs me, don’t, I’ll be crying in to some red wine in bed and hoping the world is less dark tomorrow. #depression #anxiety #mentalhealth #faceofdepression #myrealselfie #brokenbrainandbrokenevenings

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Christina (@chrissiebm) στις 12 Αύγ, 2017 στις 1:18 μμ PDT

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I wish I could tell you that I’m happy, grateful and loving life. I wish I wasn’t feeling everything but OK. 〰 We often wrap mental illness up in a little bow, we see black and white photos of media attractive people crying and pouring out their soul in a romanticised way. 〰

The reality? TW suicide; I’ve spent the last few weeks… Not washing. Not brushing my teeth. Forgetting to take meds. Wishing i could die in a way that wouldn’t hurt my family. Bingeing and overeating. Not really moving if possible. Over sleeping. Being cruel/rude/impatient. Wishing eli could have a mentally sound mother. Not being able to commit to my uni placement. Dodging important calls. Being ashamed of Rishi to see the way I look. Wanting to be someone else, less disgusting, less worthless. Jealousy fuelled anger. The list is endless and far from what you’d see on tumblr search for mental illness.

〰 I’m tired, angry, exhausted and confused. 〰 However, I am not ashamed. I am not choosing to be like this and I wanted to show anyone who’s in a similar space right now that it will get better. I say this right now hardly believing it myself (my heSd saying shut it Milly with your fairytale crap) but it’s true. The world has more in store for you than the pain you’re feeling right now and I’m extending my hand to you. You’re not alone. ❤

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Milly? (@selfloveclubb) στις 11 Ιούν, 2017 στις 11:49 πμ PDT

24.

Face of depression… . . Most people would never guess that I have clinical depression/bipolar disorder II. I’m a usually extremely positive person and very active, so it’s hard for others to imagine me being so depressed that I can barely leave my bed. But it happens. I have been fortunate to usually only have mild cases, and have not had to be on medication, but that hasn’t always been the case.

So for anyone else who suffers from the invisible condition, I am here for you…. . #depression #depressed #bipolardisorder #bipolar #bipolar2 #bipolardisorder2 #lessmanicepisodes #manic #hypomanic was/is also called #manicdepression #nomeds #homeopathic … some #symptoms mirror the other condition I have – #fibromyalgia #lossofenergy #noenergy #sleepdisorders #lethargy #memoryissues … sometimes I wonder if the depression caused the #fibro or vice-versa . #faceofdepression #creepsuponme #stress #trigger #downwardspiral #notfun but I am usually able to force myself out of it with some #coping #technique #copingtechniques #depressionsucks

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Kelly, Just Kelly (@kmhj) στις 1 Απρ, 2017 στις 8:07 μμ PDT

25.

Reaching out for help when it comes to mental illness is one of the hardest things to do. I remember going to multiple doctors, seeing lots of different medical professionals in the mental health field and still being told “But you look okay, you’ve managed to do your hair and make up and get dressed, it can’t be that bad” I am still worthy of help if I turn up to my appointments with make up on I am still worthy of help if I have good days I am still worthy of help if my hair has been dyed and washed I am still worthy of help if I’m managing my self care ? Mental illness doesn’t have a look What does mental illness look like? It looks different every single day.

Never tell anyone they don’t look ill when they try and speak out about their mental health, how is one supposed to look when mentally ill? We are allowed good days, we’re allowed to post about those good days, we’re allowed to cherish and hold on to those good days! These photos are two days apart, sometimes this happens hours apart I could be wearing make up and still feel how I do in the first photo but I could also be having a good day.

You don’t know what someone is battling so never assume! We are all worthy of help no matter how we look! Aesthetics should never come into the equation when seeking help for mental health illness! #endthestigma #butyoudontlooksick #stillworthythough #mentalillness #mentalhealthmatters #anxiety #bpd #cptsd #depression #fuckthestigmaofmentalillness #honest #vulnerable #vulnerableself #mentalhealthsupport #wealldeservehelp #wedeservetobeheard #wegotthis #soworthy

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Danika Ransome (@my_mh_journey) στις 15 Αύγ, 2017 στις 4:59 μμ PDT

26.

Poor mental health isn’t always crying and running mascara. . Sometimes it’s not washing your pots, leaving washing sprawled on your bed because when it’s hard to just step out of bed housework isn’t exactly top of the list. 〰 Sometimes it’s not washing for weeks, leaving your hair so greasy you could fry an egg on there or have an eye watering smell under your pits! 〰 It’s okay to not have your shit together, It’s okay to have a messy ass house, It’s okay to have pots in your sink as high as Mount Everest. 〰 It doesn’t make you lazy, gross or unworthy. You’re not weird or odd and you are NEVER ALONE. ??

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Milly? (@selfloveclubb) στις 2 Ιούλ, 2017 στις 11:58 πμ PDT