. Smile, greet people with a little enthusiasm, say you feeling great, depression can hide in that smokescreen.
.
.
Learn to sit in the middle of your depression, observe the feelings without assigning emotions.
Long-term Depression matures, it stabilizes, then builds resistance and strength with duration.
Realize PTSD and depression are two separate animals.
PTSD brings fear, intense anxiety from stored abuse, it is a highly active disorder with volatile energy.
Depression is the opposite, it rarely brings high energy or fires our fight it flight mechanism.
It lacks energy and drive, depression sucks the life out of us while PTSD scares the shit out of us.
Ptsd is comorbid with depression, they go hand and hand, but are completely different disorders.
It’s like a game of ping pong when both are active.
I would much rather deal with Ptsd symptoms than depression.
If you watch older soldiers or homicide detectives, many have an event, a crime scene they will never forget.
It is emblazoned in their psychic, the best efforts to bury this trauma fail hopelessly.
You can not unring a bell. How many hours have been spent trying to change an event, change our behavior, our response, our thought process?
I have an event in my life long-buried, that has surfaced.
It is emblazoned inside, carries intense shame, as it runs like a movie on its own.
I feel trapped, unable to escape, my PTSD skills do little to heal it.
Ten years of therapy, meditation, and daily practice have improved my PTSD, my depression resists.
It is tied to an event that haunts me, mine is different than a sadistic murder or the savagery of war, but it carries the same fear and damage.
Ptsd brings such intense energy, fight or flight mechanism firing, high levels of anxiety.
Depression sucks the energy out of us.
Depression can save lots of money, we do not want to do anything or go anywhere.
I hide whether it is ptsd or depression.
One you avoid at all, costs, the other you seem to lose the ability to resist. . .
PTSD - A Way Out.com 
Posted by rudid96 on January 8, 2022 at 5:20 pm
The correlation and distinction between PTSD and depression are helpful. When in the slump, it’s very difficult to parse out. I’ve now joined the ranks of people testing Positive for COVID. Strange how the enforced quarantine and illness really highlight both tongs of this fork. Are we taught to hide both of these when in public? I’ve caught myself 2-3 times now forcing a cheery tone and grasping for energy when needing to engage on the phone. I didn’t even mention I was sick with COVID. This pretending to be ‘fine’ permeates so many victims of trauma.
Posted by Marty on January 8, 2022 at 5:31 pm
Rudid. Greetings
It is better to fake normal, than attract criticism or contempt
People do not understand us
I have enough to deal with so pretending prevents more judgment from others
Sharing my stuff has never worked out
Share your trauma and your thoughts with your friends and you will not have to exert effort to isolate
They will isolate you
Posted by Marty on January 8, 2022 at 5:34 pm
When I hike and pass the regulars, I am cheerful and an extrovert at times
With a few I enjoy the banter
My radar does not go off immediately with a few
It’s a degree of trust I guess
How far do you try to expand an acquaintance
When does that relationship bring worry into your life?
Posted by Don't Lose Hope on January 8, 2022 at 11:41 pm
This is such a helpful post (and I love the title!) But I also feel for you. It’s hard enough dealing with one of those conditions …. Dealing with 2 must very draining.
Posted by Marty on January 9, 2022 at 12:32 pm
Thank you.
Hopefully this helps others
Posted by Rooks on May 21, 2022 at 1:48 pm
Funny thing about this is there is a guy at work who suffers from PTSD, and while I suffer from depression, yet we end up commiserating a lot on the same things.
Same doctor issues, same physical and mental, same struggles, same damn near everything. Yet, our issues are so far a part. His is from being Special Forces in the last wars, me from simply being a neglected and abused kid.
Misery loves company I suppose, no matter which type of misery it may be. Love the post!
Posted by Marty on May 21, 2022 at 1:50 pm
What is similar is the abuse is over periods of time
Both special forces and neglected in childhood can be considered Complex PTSD
Our specifics are different, our symptoms are very similar
Depression is comorbid with PTSD
That means he you have PTSD you will be depeessed also.