7 signs someone is faking their happiness, according to psychology

Have you heard the saying, “All that glitters is not gold”?
In people’s terms, it’s often true. Folks might seem joyful and spirited on the outside, but they might be grappling with unseen struggles under the surface.
Psychology is fascinating.
It gives us these incredible insights into human behavior. It’s a field that allows us to understand that not all smiles are genuine, and sometimes, people fake happiness for various reasons.
Let me walk you through seven signs someone might paint on their joy. Let’s dive in.
1) Forced smiles
A genuine smile, scientifically known as a Duchenne smile, involves the muscles around the mouth and the eyes.
When someone fakes their happiness, their smile often doesn’t reach their eyes. It’s more of a courteous, mouth-only grin.
A genuine smile is spontaneous and involuntary. It’s hard to fake.
So, please pay attention to their smile next time you’re trying to gauge someone’s happiness. Is it all teeth and no twinkle? It might just be a mask of joy.
2) Overly enthusiastic
Here’s another thing I’ve noticed.
Sometimes, people trying to hide their true feelings go overboard with enthusiasm. They’re trying too hard to convince others (and maybe themselves) that they’re okay.
Let me share a personal example.
I had this friend, let’s call him Sam. Sam was always the life of the party. He was always cracking jokes, laughing the loudest, and acting like he didn’t have a care in the world.
But over time, I began to notice how forced it all seemed. It was as if Sam was putting on a show every time we hung out.
One day, Sam opened up and admitted he’d been struggling with depression. His over-the-top happiness was a way to hide what he was feeling.
Seeing someone excessively cheerful or enthusiastic might signal they’re covering up their real emotions.
3) Quick mood changes
Another indication that someone might be pretending to be happy is sudden shifts in their mood.
Let me tell you about my cousin, Jenny. She was always cheerful and full of life, at least on the surface. But I started to see something peculiar.
We would be having an enjoyable conversation, and then, her mood would shift out of nowhere. One moment, she was laughing and joking around; the next, she would become quiet and withdrawn.
It was such a stark contrast, like flipping a switch.
I later found out that Jenny was going through some personal issues, and putting on a happy face was her way of coping.
Notice those fleeting moments of sadness or irritation quickly replaced by an over-bright smile. It could indicate their happiness is not as genuine as it seems.
4) Avoiding deep conversations
Do you know what else is a typical sign? Avoidance of severe or profound conversations.
People pretending to be happy often avoid topics that might trigger negative emotions. They tend to stick to light, surface-level discussions. They’re afraid their façade might crack and reveal their true feelings if they start talking about something serious.
If someone always seems to change the subject when things get a bit heavy or consistently avoids personal topics, they’re masking their genuine emotions with a show of happiness.
5) Constant fatigue
Here’s something you might need to learn.
Pretending to be happy can be physically exhausting. It’s like running a marathon, but emotionally.
When feeling down, the energy it takes to maintain a facade of joyfulness can leave people constantly tired.
This is because our brain uses a significant amount of our body’s energy, and constantly regulating emotions and behaviors can deplete this energy rapidly.
If someone is always complaining about feeling worn out or drained despite having enough sleep or not doing any strenuous physical activity, it could be because they’re working overtime to appear happy.
6) Overcompensating through social media
Let me take you into the world of social media.
We’re all familiar with those picture-perfect lives displayed on Instagram, right?
I’ll be honest; I was one of those people once. I remember a time when I was dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety, but on my social media, you’d only see photos of me looking happy and carefree.
It was my way of convincing myself and others that everything was okay. But in reality, it was far from it.
When people are faking happiness, they often feel the need to overcompensate through their social media presence. If someone’s online life appears too good to be true, it might be that.
7) Lack of self-care
The most crucial thing to understand is that people pretending to be happy often neglect their needs and well-being.
They might skip meals, have irregular sleep patterns, or need to pay attention to their hygiene. They’re so busy putting on a show for others that they forget to care for themselves.
This lack of self-care is a sign of faking happiness and a cry for help. So, it’s time to offer your support and understanding.
Final reflections
If you recognize these signs in someone you know, remember it’s not about calling them out but understanding.
We all sometimes wear masks, and it’s essential to approach this realization with empathy and kindness. It’s not easy to face our genuine emotions, let alone express them honestly to others.
If you see these signs in yourself, know that it’s okay. There’s no need to put on a brave face or fake happiness.
Remember, everyone has their ups and downs. You’re not alone in this.
The journey to authentic happiness starts with acknowledging our true feelings. And guess what? It’s okay to seek help if you need it.