What is High Functioning Depression?

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions across the globe. So, it only makes sense that people experience it differently. There are common signs and symptoms, but not everyone deals with all of them. 

There are also different severity levels of depression. 

When many people think of the condition, their mind automatically goes to an image of someone unable to get out of bed in the morning or feeling so hopeless that they can hardly get through the day. 

However, those with high-functioning depression might not exhibit what most would consider “typical” signs. You might even be dealing with some of those symptoms, yourself. If you’ve been struggling with feelings of sadness but you’re unsure about what to make of your symptoms, you might have high-functioning depression. 

Let’s take a closer look at what high-functioning depression is. We’ll also touch on some common signs to look for, and what you can do if you’re dealing with them. 

What Is High-Functioning Depression? 

High-functioning depression simply means you have a depressive order that still allows you to live a relatively normal life. Most people likely wouldn’t notice that you’re struggling with depression. You’re able to go to work, maintain a social life, and even have a seemingly “perfect” family life at home. 

That doesn’t mean you’re faking anything or putting on a show if you have high-functioning depression. If you’ve been dealing with it for a long time, you might not even realize there’s a problem. Some people with the condition just believe their feelings are “normal” because they aren’t completely throwing a wrench in their lives. 

However, that doesn’t mean high-functioning depression is easy to live with. 

What Are the Signs? 

Many people with high-functioning depression experience the same symptoms as those with severe clinical depression – with less severity. Some of the common signs include: 

• Feelings of hopelessness

• Persistent sadness

• Difficulty concentrating

• Fatigue

• Changes in eating or sleeping habits

The big difference is that these symptoms are often more manageable with high-functioning depression. They’re less likely to completely derail your daily routine. So, you can maintain relationships and get through your day-to-day activities, even if you’re feeling sad, tired, or helpless. 

It’s not uncommon for people with high-functioning depression to try to hide their symptoms from friends and loved ones. Again, that doesn’t mean you’re putting on an act. You might just be convincing yourself you’re not really struggling as much as you think you are. Unfortunately, that can lead to a lot of extra tension. You might start to experience physical symptoms as a result, including headaches and digestive issues. 

What Can You Do?

Just because high-functioning depression isn’t as severe as other forms of the condition doesn’t mean you need to keep living with it. Any type of depression can be difficult to deal with. When it comes to high-functioning depression, the last thing you should be focused on is working through it on your own or trying to “ignore” it with the hope that you can somehow beat it. 

Instead, consider working with a mental health professional. Admitting you have depression is the first step toward treating it. The next step is talking to someone who can help. A therapist will help you get to the underlying cause of your depression. Often, learning about the “root cause” can be difficult, but it’s a necessary step toward healing. 

Your therapist can also offer management skills to keep your symptoms at bay. Eventually, you can overcome your depression and begin to enjoy your life again without that stress and sadness beneath the surface. 

If you’re concerned you might be dealing with high-functioning depression, don’t hesitate to contact us to make an appointment for depression treatment.