How to maintain the mask...

I wore my mask so well through the worst of my depression that most people claimed to have no idea there was anything wrong, even those closest to me. I still find this hard to believe, although the further away I get the more I can see objectively just how well I hid it. I decided not to waste my energy on a mask any more, as I feel it only adds to the emotional strain and obviously people need to know when you are struggling most.
Unfortunately I am now feeling angry/irritable most of the time and to the extent that a lot of people have commented on it, but I can't seem to shake off the negativity. Maybe the mask is a good thing after all?!

Your "mask" should only show what you want the world to see. There is no point pretending to be something your're not. How can anyone really like you or know you if your always hiding. I've found that eventhough it is scary as hell; I forced myself to be myself infront of people. The more I allowed myself to say what I really thought or felt, or did something I wanted to do, my mask became more of me in a hard shell, but the shell is still me.

I don't know if that is even able for anyone to understand lol.

Basically Its like I'm now calloused. I'm me but a stronger me, rather than pretending to be someone else.

Dear all,

I have had my mask in place all of my life. Its very rare that anyone person has me in my naked personality. As I grew I found it more and more difficult to keep this up. Mainly because my conditions stunted the growth of my social skills. When I started to come to terms with my Bi polar and Multiple personality disorder, i then started to understand it more. I realized that it was impossible to keep the mask on, a pretext if you like. I then worked on learning to like then love myself good and bad. Its taken me many years but I think I've managed to get to a point where I like and love the way I am. If people have a problem with me then i figured out that it was their problem and not mine.

Chrissie

I'm reading through all these comments and think that, for some of us, the 'mask' is like a suit of armour. I put mine on every time I go to work. I take a while putting on my 'mask', take a big deep breath and get in the car and drive to work. Some days are a big struggle due to some of the 'personalities' there. I suffer from depression, anxiety and very low self esteem......... phew, said it. Part of my mask is to make sure nobody can see that anything is wrong. Never judge a book by it's cover is exactly what some people do. I'm into the 4th week off work, the main reason for this is that my workplace became intolerable during a changeover of meds and the side effects. A colleague has told me that some people are shocked that I suffer 'as I always look so presentable and have good working relationships'. It's what goes on in your mind that doesn't show, so really nobody can see that, unless you become unkempt, forgetful etc and then they voice concerns/criticism. I made the error of letting my Manager know about my depression, therapy and treatment. Now when I say anything about colleagues treatment she says I'm being paranoid or over sensitive. If this is the case why have 2 new colleagues voiced exactly the same concerns. Some people can be so cruel when they find your weakness.

Keeping a mask on what you're really feeling is tough, especially on the bad days. Even though I just try and be myself always, there are times when masking being upset or feeling anxious is better. There's always someone out there suffering from these things who puts on such a good face to cover it all up. I think most people do. You are not alone, even if it feels like that sometimes. Just got to try and keep strong and find ways to face everything like writing it down to release whatever hurts.

I generally wear a mask and people don't realize when I am depressed but I've told my friends about my bipolar disorder and they reacted positively except for a very few. I feel more comfortable with my friends this way. They understand, are ready to help and they do!

Hi I would like to say masks can be useful, I wear many masks and I done a study and wrote a paper on the many masks we wear,I find everybody wears many masks 1 for family,1 for work,1 for friends and so on. I do think that the masks we create for ourselves are like little barriers we guard ourselves against others hurting us, our own persona of what we would like to be, its like when your young you don't know what you want to do for the rest of your life but you know what kind of person you would like to be. Our masks are like our characters we create for our own sanity. Depression doesn't mean we are in sane, we are not we are deep thinkers we have a need to be trusted, to be loved ,to be wanted and needed by others. In my mania I could give someone £1000 and like the feeling it gave me to help others and in my manic I hate all living creatures and lock myself in my room wanting nothing to do with others. Leave me alone. How many masks do we wear? Lots, cos I'm not always that person you look at and think she's nice I want to be her friend....I am the person that's struggling with family who think they know me and they don't and living day by day hoping I can make a friend that truly likes me no matter what

For me no offence, stop hiding Jai? 

who is jai? I'm not sure if this comment was for me..

For me no offence, stop hiding Yeh be yourself and be proud, if you show a mask you will attract a mask and a shit load of issues. Go for people that bring us out that mask. I also don't mean me no offence just been clear and honest as no mask is needed..:) Sorry Meg probs had a few beers and went all German...lol No offence