Big or small, trivial or life-altering, we all have secrets— but what makes us want to keep a secret?
Our secrets are tightly wired to our emotions, and they pulse with a sensitive, intermittent charge along the boundaries of our familiar internal territory. Sometimes we keep the biggest secrets to protect others from being hurt but most of the time, we are keeping ourselves safe, and usually, we are motivated by embarrassment.
A recent survey asked 2,000 adults what their deepest secrets are and according to the results, mental health, hygiene, and affairs topped the list of things most people hide from others.
Put together by OnePoll on behalf of Sky HISTORY, the survey reveals mental health issues are the number one most common secret among adults. After that, an embarrassing or “cringeworthy” incident comes in at number two with a third of people admitting to keeping such mistakes to themselves.
Meanwhile, one in five adults keeps their secrets simply to avoid relationship issues.
Here are the top 25 secrets people keep from friends and family:
- Mental health issues
- Embarrassing incidents
- Internet history
- Eating/snacking habits
- Hygiene habits
- Number of past sex partners
- Bank/credit card statements
- Faking an illness in the past to avoid a commitment
- Affairs/infidelities
- One night stands
- Illnesses
- Smoking habits
- Faking an illness to avoid work
- Money spent on food
- Fears/phobias
- Supporting an unpopular football team
- Time spent at the bar/pub
- Buying expensive items online
- Drug use
- Alcohol abuse
- Having a celebrity crush
- How good you are, or aren’t at something
- Being on a diet
- Political opinions
- Family history
