How to tell someone you're not ok if you've always seemed totally fine outwardly

[closedown]

I get this impression that if I feel awful in my mind, I should tell my partner? Or at least someone? But how do you do that when you seem like a totally happy person on the outside with a good life and never had any mental health problems, as far as people know? Anyone I tell would just think it can't be real.

Has anyone ever gone through this? Or been the person on the receiving end, hearing from somebody who seems fine that they are not?

Good question! I'd like to know the answer to this too.

I have this problem too.I don’t really have an answer other than you somehow just need to start talking about it. Hopefully someone wiser will come along…

I would ask to speak to them privately and then spill it out, even to the point of explaining you're worried about not being taken seriously.

It's really hard though, I've been there. When you're strong for so long and smiley and bright, people struggle to see you any other way.

I too am this person but ha e hadultile episodes of depression or anxiety - people would never believe I was an anxious person as everyone always comments on how chilled out I am .

To be honest I've waited too long then had to blurt it out whilst crying and snotting everywhere but last time I actually just said 'I'm not doing too well mentally' and reactions were nothing but support, what can we do, how can we help etc. No judgement and most people then tell you about their own experience that they've tried to keep under wraps!!!
Share away, most people have felt how you do at some point and know how shit it is so will do anything to help xx

Wait until you're with them and you're watching a programme with a character with MH issues, or hear something in the radio, or see a news article, and use that as an opener like, it's really common isn't it... I guess you don't always know from looking at someone... people probably don't realise I struggle... etc

You got this

Thanks for the ideas. I just don't think it's gonna work.

I mean, how would you know if you don't try any of the ideas?

Have you got a friend that you feel comfortable talking to? The type of person that’s open minded and will listen? Maybe start with them and hopefully their understanding will make it easier. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to explain yourself, you don’t have to justify how you feel. As another poster said, quite often you find that others have felt or feel the same as you. I hope you can open up to someone xx

I wouldn’t be surprised if anyone said this to me. I think that our society can be a stressful, frustrating and difficult place to live.

I quite often text them as I find talking very hard. Texting is easier as it removes the pressure from you and gives them thinking time to reply.