Silent depression, sometimes also called masked depression, represents one of the manifestations that this pathology can develop. That is, it differs from major depressive disorder, popularly known simply as depression, in that it is more difficult to identify because it goes more unnoticed. The motives? Silent depression, unlike major depression, does not present psychological symptoms, but is only physical. But it also has a negative impact on people's quality of life.
This type of depression presents milder symptoms, but they last over time and can even last for years before action is taken and professionals in psychology or psychiatry are sought. Instead, because the symptoms that become noticeable are physical, and apathy and sadness are left aside, attempts are made to seek answers to biological causes that doctors cannot find.
The person who suffers from it focuses only on the physical symptoms and attributes the sadness they feel to them. For this reason, the diagnosis of depression becomes complicated, according to psychologist Amparo Calandín. In certain cases it can even lead to active resistance on the part of the patient, who does not accept that what he is suffering from is not a type of illness or physical problem, but rather a psychological one. The specialist states that symptoms of depression, such as sadness, lack of appetite, apathy, difficulty falling asleep or even loss of sexual desire, are capable of causing physical alterations, such as headaches or stomach aches.
Silent depression appears as psychological symptoms manifest, describes Amparo Calandín. That is, a feeling of mental exhaustion, and also physical exhaustion, sadness, lack of desire or enthusiasm, as well as others. However, this type of depression is expressed through physical symptoms, since the former, according to her, are hidden. For this reason, it is sometimes also known as masked depression.
The expert assures that the way to differentiate whether it is a case of depression or one of masked depression is to pay attention to the physical symptoms. “The nuance lies in the predominance of the physical condition without responding to any organic pathology.” While, in a common depression, the psychopathological and physical symptoms form the complete set of the disorder, in silent depression the latter prevail over the former.
For this reason, it is important to go to a specialized clinic where the case can be studied individually and thus offer an appropriate diagnosis.
