YGTG (You Get the Gist): A Thought After Cheslie Kryst’s Suicide – The Need to Redefine Strength and Success
On this YGTG for this week, please know that we offer a trigger warning; I’m going to talk about the recent suicide of Cheslie Kryst. On the 30th of January, a young woman threw herself off...
Perfectly Hidden Depression (aka Trauma-Based Perfectionism): Four Basic Ways To Heal
I’d like for you to introduce me to someone. The person is not a stranger; you’ve gone to bed with them every night for years. They’re right there waiting for you when you wake up in...
The Ten Characteristics of Perfectly Hidden Depression
I’ve been writing for three years now about a syndrome called Perfectly Hidden Depression.
These are people who are inwardly struggling with depression, at times severe depression. But others would never guess that they were. They can act both intentionally, but also unconsciously, to deny and avoid pain or suffering. And they do it quite well. In fact, perfectly.
Perfectly Hidden Depression: Five Steps To Take Off the Camouflage of Perfectionism
Do any of these ring familiar to you: perfectionism with an inner constant critic, over-responsibility, inability or great difficulty with expressing emotional vulnerability, chastising yourself if...
Nine Paths That Lead To Perfectly Hidden Depression
How do you learn to hide pain?
What is it about hurt, vulnerability and sadness that makes many of us form a persona of happiness and busy-ness that shields us from the eyes of others? Why do we push ourselves to build a life that looks perfect from the outside, but can feel empty and despairing on the inside?
When the Joy in Your Holidays Is Overshadowed by Your Need to be Perfect
Perfectly hidden depression. What is it? It’s depression that’s deeply disguised by a facade of perfectionism. Perhaps you feel something in your gut; there’s a sense that...
Facing The Fear of Telling Your Truth and Being Demeaned
Let me take you back in time. I was on a first date with a guy named Jeff. I’d vetted him prior to our date, checked with people that I knew that he knew, etc. By all reports, he was nice,...
What Can Signal A Risk For Suicide? When You’re Perfectly Hiding Depression
I’ve written a book about what I term perfectly hidden depression. It describes the phenomenon of leading a perfect-looking life on the outside, while carrying around a tremendous amount of...
Is It Self-Pity, Depression Or Perfectly Hidden Depression?
It’s difficult to be around someone whose always whining. What does whining sound like? “I can’t get a break.” “Bad things seem to always happen to me.”...
245 SelfWork: “How Could I Not Have Known?” The Shock of Sudden Suicide
Sometimes I receive an email that tears at my heartstrings. And this week was one of those times. I’ll read you the email – the heads up is that it’s about a sudden and totally unexpected suicide...
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