[NeedHelp104]

I am very good at hiding my severe depression from my immediate family members and others. I have no hobbies, and I was able to convince my family members that this is just part of my personality and who I am (when in reality, I have no motivation to pursue anything I like, and have anhedonia). One of my greatest fears is that I will overcome my depression through therapy, and that I will begin to enjoy things again and have a much more active social life than I do now (I have no friends) and then everyone would question: What was he doing all these years? I don't know, this freaks me out.

[downandlonely]

I'm good at hiding my depression too, but have learned to tell my immediate family about it. I had to as a kid or I wouldn't have been able to get help.

Are you really afraid of getting better? Maybe because you're used to things as they are and change is scary? Any reason why you can't tell your family what you're going through?

[~Christina]

The best thing to learn about dealing with depression is not giving a hoot about what people wonder about you when you feel better. Spread your Wings and just fly !!!

[MickeyCheeky]

Well, you can always tell them that "People change", @NeedHelp104! Please don't be afraid of getting better! Anhedonia sucks and I can relate to it! Definitely work on gettng better, and like ~Christina has already wisely said better than I ever could, who cares about what others will think! It's YOUR Life and YOU have to Live it! Please be kind to yourself! Sending many safe, warm hugs to You, @NeedHelp104, and ALL Of Your Loved Ones! KEEP FIGHTING AND KEEP ROCKING AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN LIKE YOU'RE ALREADY WONDERFULLY DOING ALL AND ENTIRELY BY YOURSELF!

[WishfulThinker66]

I don't exactly wear my mental illness on my shirt-sleeve but I don't hide it. If and when things come up and the opportunity feels right, I have no problem being open. Most people close to me know I am bipolar. Times come up when I admit to depression and anxiety. I have no problem with this. I can't imagine feeling trapped by not being able to be so.

I ask then, why you have the impression you can't be open to at least family if not close acquaintances? Is their anyone you can confide in at all? There is a freedom that comes with being honest to others.

I also want to address your concerns about what happens when the time comes (it will! yay!) that you do feel better able to enjoy and do things. I doubt very much that people are going to ask themselves why you weren't doing these things originally. Perhaps instead, you might be able to concentrate on the victories.