Hidden Emotions: The Silent Dangers Within
BY: Neighbors’ Consejo|
Throughout history, humans have been conditioned to mask their true feelings, often in the name of societal norms or perceived strength. While it might seem beneficial in the short term to hide one’s emotions, the long-term implications of such suppression can be detrimental. Concealing emotions can lead to multiple physical, psychological, and social complications.
Why do people hide their feelings? According to Medical News Today[1] , because of defense mechanisms and coping mechanisms. “Defense mechanisms are ways for people’s minds to cope with feelings or stress. They are unconscious processes. People generally do not know their minds are using them. Coping mechanisms are ways people manage unpleasant or painful emotions. They are conscious patterns of behavior and thoughts.”
Jennifer Litner, PhD., considers, “by hiding emotions, you prevent clear communication with the people in your life. This lack of communication makes it tough to navigate conflict. When you can’t work through problems, they will probably keep happening. You might eventually become angry and resentful, and these feelings could trigger the conflict you wanted to avoid. You could also start avoiding people who provoke certain emotions, possibly losing relationships you value[2] .”
“Showing emotion can make us vulnerable, and it is normal to want to avoid exposing vulnerabilities to others. We worry expressing certain emotions will lead others to judge you, use them against you, or reject you. If you express your feelings and some react negatively, you could end up triggering more painful conflict. So, instead, you choose to avoid expressing them entirely[3] .”
Concealing emotions doesn’t just impact the individual; it reverberates through interpersonal relationships and can perpetuate a culture where emotional honesty is stigmatized. By bridging the gap between societal perceptions and the intrinsic human need for emotional expression, we can begin to appreciate the profound implications of suppressing our true feelings.
Regarding this, Medium[4] affirms, “keeping your emotions hidden can cause an individual to lack self-worth and be anxious and depressed, among other possible physical issues. Expressing feelings may be difficult in part because we have been trained to see certain emotions such as anger, sadness, and fear as negative.”
How to stop hiding your feelings[5] ?
- Recognize that you are feeling something
- Try to understand where the feeling is coming from
- Don’t judge yourself for having the feeling
- Find a healthy outlet for the feeling
In conclusion, the dangers of suppressing emotions extend far beyond the individual, impacting relationships, health, and societal dynamics. While there might be short-term relief in hiding our true feelings, the long-term repercussions can be severe and far reaching. Embracing vulnerability and allowing ourselves to fully experience and express our emotions is not just beneficial, it is essential for holistic wellbeing.
[1]https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-stop-hiding-feelings#:~:text=People%20who%20hide%20their%20feelings,a%20person’s%20psychological%20well%2Dbeing.
[2]https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/hiding-feelings#effects-on-health
[3]https://medium.com/invisible-illness/the-surprising-long-term-effects-of-hiding-our-emotions-5afaa282cda0
[4]https://medium.com/invisible-illness/the-surprising-long-term-effects-of-hiding-our-emotions-5afaa282cda0
[5]https://www.aspencw.com/post/emotional-health-how-to-stop-hiding-from-your-feeling