Whats worse, a tear that shows your depression or a fake smile that covers it?

Crying or showing your depression is not wrong or bad in any way, neither is a fake smile that covers it. These are ways to cope and everyone copes differently. Additionaly, keeping your feelings for yourself is never good.

It depends on the context. If you're at work, it might not always be appropriate to show emotions (sad I know!). It might also not be safe to show a tear in front of a bully of an intolerant or mean person! However most of the time I think being authentic (in front of people we trust particularly) is good because then they know to comfort us and talking to us about our situation. If we hide it then we tend to bottle it up and it gets worse over time.

For me, it would be the fake smile that covers it. Why? Because one step towards recovering from depression is to not be ashamed of having it, and not wasting so much precious energy faking. When you show it, you open yourself to receive the love of your friends and family, and their help in turn. You open roads of communication about what is troubling you with your loved ones. And little by little, you start realizing that there isn't something wrong with you, that depression attacks a lot of people and a lot of people have beaten it, and then you start speaking out your needs so you get therapy/meds/long talks/comprehension/stress relief, etc.

A fake smile is worse one to cover my depression. To me, crying may express and vent out my feelings instead of having a fake smile on my face telling everyone that I am okay but I am not.

Sometimes a tear is good. Embracing your emotions rather than bottling them up is better for you own health. Showing your vulnerablity to someone close to you can lead to help from them and also stronger bonds with friends. Showing your depressed is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign that you've noticed you're not well and are trying to improve your life which is always good.

The smile that covers it is worse, that smile is like a cork bottling all your pain and chaos in your mind. Let the tears come, let yourself cry, crying is not a sign of a weakness, it's a sign of strength. Those who cry admit their weakness, and show the will to strengthen themselves.

Crying is letting out the pain. It is a sign that you are accepting it. Acceptance is a part of getting better. This is normal and actually healthy for people who are depressed. You probably know how hard it is to hold it in and have that fake smile. For me, it only caused greater depression, however, everyone is different. There is so much more freedom now that I am open about my depression. Tell others that you trust.

A smile that tries to cover depression is worse because you can't get help or overcome if you are in denial or trying to hide it. Nothing wrong with showing emotions, it may make you feel better. Allow your emotions to flow, tears shed heaviness.

It depends.. are you with friends.. or are you at work trying to be professional.. among friends its okay to have a tear or two.. at work, especially if you are working directly with the customer, or in sales, a lot of times it will damage your ability to perform your job (unless you are on the phone or computer and they can't see your face).. if you are working and unable to show your emotions at the moment I would purposefully pick a method to express your feelings to another person or to a journal, someone safe, where it won't impact a job performance review.

Fake smile that covers it. You don't have to open up to everyone, but it's not healthy to bottle everything inside and avoid dealing with your feelings. Try to talk to a close friend, or someone you trust. You don't have to tell them everything you're going through, but maybe a part of it to lighten your load, if you're comfortable with it.