Fake it until you make it...

Lots of times I forget that I could fake being happy, alert, calm etc.

How well does this work for you? Has it been able to turn your mood around?

Isn't this what "normal" people do every day?

From faking it, you create this reality that doesn't really exist.

Most people do not like others who fake it. Be true to yourself, and honest, and that will get you farther in life.

I tried to fake it through 2007-2009 until I finally snapped and spent some time in the hospital.

I have been 'faking it' all my life and still are, however last year thats what caused my symptoms to be out of control 'faking it' doesnt always pay off. I think its better to acknowlege how we are feeling then you can deal with it. For me well most my life pretending its hard to be honest with myself let alone anyone else

I think it does depends on why I am and who I am faking it for.
I want my family to have a nice time on our visits and it occurs to me that with Easter tomorrow I should make a real effort to be appropriate and pleasant. Hmmmm getting hypo manic.
Being in denial about how I was feeling and faking myself out was a a dangerous place for me.
I am glad you were able to get out of denial. Ignoring symptoms can really be dangerous for you too.

Fake it until you make it was my motto for several years. My head was so screwed up after killing my BF that I still loved despite him going loco that I didn't know up from down.

I HAD to fake it because that was all there was. I went through the motions and kept my kid and animals fed, sometimes did some laundry, sometimes just hid in my room because I couldn't face the day.

Ten years later I am emotionally stable (most of the time) and I don't have to fake it as much.

I tried to fake it...personally i think it just builds ur feelings up and you collapse with a crash. doesnt work too well sometimes it was useful to keep me stable for the time being, but definitely not for the long term.

It is an occupational hazard for me. I'm a teacher and I have to be up for my students. They deserve that. I do really well while I'm teaching, but I tend to crash in the evenings and on weekends. And holidays are often disasters for me.

Farmergirl - I know exactly what you mean with the teaching. It's so exhausting...

As far as faking it....there have been times when my depression was not too bad that I could fake happiness and sometimes, it actually helped my mood become more positive. But honestly, mostly faking happiness makes me angry, bitter and confused.

Actually, it makes me angry because I jsut want to slip into my feelings sometimes. It makes me angry that I have to live for others because I feel like I am taking away the time I need to heal for myself.

I am out of it today so my opinion may change in a day or two, but that is how I feel right now.

I've never been able to properly fake it. Well, I've faked being 'ok' but I'm incapable of faking anything more exciting than that, lol.
I know people here are posting their bad experiences and it's true you shouldn't keep things inside... but I do believe there is some truth in 'fake it til you make it', because to an extent faking it could build your confidence, and they do say that if you for example fake being confident, you will eventually stop faking and just be confident. Not sure how it works, but I've got a book written by a life coach and she recommends it.
I do wish I could fake it. At least things like confidence, because I get so anxious and I can't hide it, so then I'm even more anxious because I realise how much I'm sticking out. If I'm out of the house I'm grasping onto my mum and hiding behind her in shops. If I could fake it then I would be able to at least pretend to be confident and talk to people... and the more I did it, the easier it would get, until it would be real. Maybe?!