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

A fake smile, no doubt about it. Tears don't make you weak - it means you've been too strong for too long. Don't suffer in silence - there is nothing braver than seeking help.

What makes anything worse? In my experience with depression, I have found that avoiding anything that makes us feel worse is better than trying to find what makes us feel better. If you cry to show your vulnerability, but end up regretting letting others know of it, avoid it. But if faking a smile ends up making you feel more sad, or that no one knows or cares about what you feel, then avoid that instead. It all comes down to how you feel and avoiding making your present state worse. One step at a time.

Society has told us to pretend to always be okay as if to seem that we do not have a disadvantage but the truth is that you can be whatever you like and if that means accepting your sad days then so be it.

A fake smile by far. There's no shame in crying or in admitting that you need a bit of help, but covering it up with a fake smile will only make things worse.

You never want to put on a fake smile to cover depression. There are people out there to help you out if you need help. Don't hide it.

A fake smile that covers it is almost always worse. If you're in a situation where you need to take care of someone else's needs however, a fake smile might be necessary temporarily.

A fake smile is worse than a tear in many ways because you're hiding what you need help with from everyone. No one can help you if they don't know that something is wrong. In other ways, it shows that you are strong, but you also shouldnt have to be because of that.

It is ok to feel. We all have emotions and it is healthy to be able to express them, feel them, label them and ride them out. As such it is worse to fake a smile that covers pain.

I think the worst thing about depression goes beyond being sad or faking a smile. The worst part is when you feel so terrible that you shut down and can't express ANY emotion, even a fake one.

People use many different coping mechanisms to get through their day. there are times when either letting your emotions lose in a safe environment is highly appropriate versus times when temporarily faking a smile will feel safer then attracting unwanted attention to your private situation while in a public arena.