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Tortoises1are1cool
1 4,276 M Seeking Light 5
PathStep 25 Compassion hearts130 Forum posts14 Forum upvotes11 Current upvotes11 Age GroupTeen Last activeApril, 2026 Member sinceMarch 9, 2026
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I need help with reaching out
Depression Support / by Tortoises1are1cool
Last post
 March 23rd
...See more I really need advice on how to reach out to my parents and friends and tell them about how I’m feeling. I am under the age of 18 and I am 99% sure that I have smiling depression. Smiling depression is when you have depression, but you mask it around others. You still do every day things and are a very social person, but it’s all a lie and you actually feel horrible inside. Everyday, I either feel numb, frustratingly sad, or really angry, there aren’t any other emotions. Yet when I’m around others, I can’t help but try to cover up my pain with a smile or a joke. I hate myself every single time I do it, but I can’t stop. I also get very good grades in school, not because I like doing it, but because I feel this pressure to be perfect and great at everything. At first, the depression wasn’t that bad, but then I stopped eating and I started sleeping much longer. Then I stopped enjoying things that usually made me happy. I used to non-stop crochet and read, but now all I can manage to do is lay in bed and listen to music or scroll. The thing is, no one can tell that I feel this way because I cover it up. I want to be able to come out and tell my parents and friends what I am feeling, I want to get help for this, but I just don’t know how. I’m scared that my parents will be disappointed in me and that my friends won’t understand. Does anyone have any advice on how I can tell someone about this? I really need the help, thanks.
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