there's an actual clinical term for this but I'm not sure what it is. Something about pleasing the therapist. But in any case DON'T LIE! It will only hurt you in the long run even if it makes you feel good in some weird way.
But as for me, I sort of know what you mean. You want things to go well so you downplay stuff. I think I know what you mean. You want to feel like you're getting better so you might fake it that you are.
But DON"T!!!

Yes, I know what you mean. I did that in the past and down played my depression/anxiety. I was just thinking about this yesterday since a hugh wave of severe depression hit me. I was thinking whether I have been totally honest or have I just been doing the same thing I have done most of my life......pretend/act like things are always sunshine and roses just because I don't feel like upping my med doses or just not in the mood. When I thought deep and hard I believe I have done that on occassion with this therapist and pdoc I have been seeing for a year now. It's like I can't stop myself from doing it. I do the same thing with family. I go on acting like all is well when it's not so that I don't have to listen to the same things - why can't you be happy, what is wrong with you, are you sure you're depressed, and so on. So, I put on the fake face. I think I need to learn to be me. For so long I have gotten use to being someone I'm not. I have probably messed up big time by doing this.

honesty is the best policy!
Be Safe
((hugs))

i understand what you're saying but, how are ya gonna get any better if you lie about how you're doin?

how is she gonna be able to do what's best for ya if you downplay what's really goin on?

for her to be able to do her job is for you to be totally honest with her about how you're doin and what's goin on.

you're not gonna get any better if she doesnt know the full story. be open and honest with her, it's in your best interest to do so.

I agree with the others that honesty is crucial in dealing with any kind of health issue. Well, honesty is important in all I do.

I, also, have a hard time being honest - but only while in a depression. I get tired of the well meaning suggestions on how to feel better. No one knows how hard we try to dig out of depression, and how truly incapacitating it is. Unless they have it too.

With my prior case manager, I got tired of the same suggestions each depression: walk, do crosswords, don't isolate. Try as I might, there were times when I felt so hopeless that I did none of these things and just stayed in bed all day.

So, I started telling her things were "OK" when I was depressed. She was an excellent case manager, so she always figured it out when I lied. So I still got the suggestions. LOL

A great thing my prior case manager and pdoc used to tell me was "Meds are only half the answer." I don't want to hear this fact while in a depression, because I don't want the responsibility of learning or implementing new coping skills while I am depressed. It's too much.

But, while I'm manic or 'stable' I do try to learn and implement new coping skills. Slowly, my manias and depressions are improving. It's a life long journey.