How to Know If You're Suffering from High-Functioning Depression
When thinking about depression, what is the first thing that comes to mind? For most of us, when we hear about depression, we are immediately thinking of prolonged feelings of intense sadness, hopelessness, and despair. We might imagine individuals who struggle to get out of bed, perform daily tasks, and maintain social relationships.
While these symptoms are common with a major depressive disorder diagnosis, they do not appear with everyone. In fact, there are quite a few people with depression who can maintain relatively "normal" lives. This is referred to as "high-functioning depression".
What is High-Functioning Depression?
High-functioning depression may refer to an individual's effort to hide their distress from friends, family, and co-workers who may be worrying about them. By suppressing their emotions and presenting as "normal," people can engage in daily tasks with seemingly no issue. Those with high-functioning depression can put on a positive face and function. While these reasons may not apply to everyone, some explanations for the suppression of emotions could be:
To avoid being a burden to others
To not be seen as weak
To avoid their problems
Being unable to identify having a mental health issue
Different mental illnesses are serious enough to impair a person's ability to function. However, some of these illnesses may have symptoms that are less intense, and therefore can classify the person as "high-functioning." It is important to note that "high-functioning" does not mean "fully-functioning," and they may still experience some impairment now and again.
Signs of High-Functioning Depression
Symptoms may look and feel similarly to major depressive disorder, they are just less intense and more manageable. However, this type of depression has some unique features such as:
Being able to perform at work, maintain relationships, and engage in daily activities, but feeling more mentally and physically exhausted than normal
May struggle from chronic somatic symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches, in an attempt to hide or suppress the distress from themselves or others
May self-medicate with substances
Everything they do, even taking a shower or eating, takes a tremendous amount of effort
What it Feels Like to Live with High-Functioning Depression
It's one thing to identify signs and symptoms to look out for, but it is another to actually experience these symptoms in real life. Remember that high-functioning depression feels differently for everyone, so it is possible that some, all, or none of these apply.
You may feel a little down most of the time, otherwise known as "gloomy" or "cynical."
Your low mood is always present, and you rarely feel happy. When you do, it doesn't last long.
You may feel tired all the time, even when you get enough or too much sleep.
You cannot seem to summon enough energy to function more than necessary.
You may feel unworthy, or that you don't deserve to be liked by others.
You lose or gain weight without meaning to, either due to eating too much or having no appetite.
You may feel hopeless, lost, and cry without a known reason.
You feel you have to force yourself through social situations even if you don't want to.
Treatment
Like any other mental health disorder, high-functioning depression can be treated. First and foremost, you will want to recognize the symptoms you are feeling as signs of a mental health related issue. If you notice that these depressive feelings are impacting daily living in even the smallest ways, it may be time to receive an official diagnosis.
Licensed therapists and counselors can provide relief and advice on how to deal with high-functioning depression, as well as provide a safe space to talk and get to the root of the issue. Reach out and schedule your first session today!
