The longer we keep a secret, the darker it becomes. Secrecy is associated with lower wellbeing, declining health and less satisfying relationships.

Keeping secrets

Secrecy has been linked to increased depression, symptoms of poor health and anxiety and in some cases the rapid progression of disease. Concealment of any secret is exhausting.

But the harm of keeping a secret doesn’t come from hiding it. The real issue is thinking about it. It is almost inevitable, particularly if we're continually in touch with the person we're keeping the secret from.

For those who won't admit they're keeping a secret, unconsciously that isn’t true. Anyone who deals with something they’re keeping from someone else, will know and will struggle to maintain, calm and peace in their life.

Secrets and ruminating

Anyone who keeps a secret will end up ruminating. Also, simply thinking about a secret can make us feel ill. Even the strongest willed person’s guard will eventually drop. Secrets are tiring, they can make us feel isolated and alone.

But for some of us that may not be a hardship. For example, a narcissist may often keep secrets and will spend their time in mental solitary confinement and will simply choose not to make those conscious connections. We can never know someone who spends their life keeping secrets.

Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com