Tuesday, 19 November 2019 00:00

Perfectly Hidden Depression: When You Look Fine but Are Falling Apart on the Inside

You recognize something is wrong, but you’re not sure what exactly... only that you feel trapped and alone.
When your life looks perfect, but you’re silently falling apart...

If you were raised to believe that painful emotions are a sign of weakness, or if being vulnerable has always made you feel unsafe, then you may have survived by creating a perfect-looking life -- a life where you appear to be successful, engaged, and always there for others.

The problem? You’re filled with self-criticism and shame, and you can’t allow yourself to express fear, anger, loss, or grief. You recognize something is wrong, but you’re not sure what exactly... only that you feel trapped and alone. If this sounds like you, you may have perfectly hidden depression (PHD).

Margaret Robinson Rutherford, PhD, has a new book out about PHD, entitled Perfectly Hidden Depression: How to Break Free from the Perfectionism that Masks Your Depression

In the book, you’ll begin the process of understanding your perfectionism, identifying destructive beliefs, and connecting with emotions suppressed for far too long. You’ll also find tangible tips for quieting that critical inner voice, and powerful strategies for coping with difficult feelings. Most importantly, you’ll learn that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. 

Dr. Rutherford joins host Lisa Davis to share more insights from the book and how you can learn to stop hiding and start healing.

Additional Info

  • Segment Number: 1
  • Audio File: naturally_savvy/ns876.mp3
  • Featured Speaker: Margaret Robinson Rutherford, PhD
  • Book Title: Perfectly Hidden Depression: How to Break Free from the Perfectionism that Masks Your Depression
  • Guest Twitter Account: @doctor_margaret
  • Guest Bio: Dr. Margaret Robinson Rutherford, a clinical psychologist, has practiced for twenty-six years in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Earning the 2009 Arkansas Private Practitioner of the Year award for her volunteer work at a local free health clinic, she began blogging and podcasting in 2012 to destigmatize mental illness and educate the public about therapy and treatment.

    With her compassionate and common-sense style, her work can be found at https://DrMargaretRutherford.com, as well as HuffPost, Psych Central, Psychology Today, The Mighty, the Gottman Blog and others.

    She hosts a weekly podcast, The SelfWork Podcast with Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Her new book, Perfectly Hidden Depression: How to Break Free from the Perfectionism that Masks Your Depression, is published by New Harbinger and available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or your local bookstore.
  • Length (mins): 33:33
  • Waiver Received: Yes
  • Host: Andrea Donsky, RHN & Lisa Davis, MPH