5 Signs of High-Functioning Depression

Depression isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. While most people understand the basics of what it looks like, it can impact everyone differently. Some people might have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning. Others — especially those with high-functioning depression — are often able to live normal lives on the surface.

But what is high-functioning depression?

It doesn’t mean you push down your feelings or pretend you’re not really struggling. Rather, it’s a way to describe people with depression who are able to get through their daily tasks.

Let’s take a look at some signs of high-functioning depression. If you’re dealing with it, you deserve the same help and support as someone dealing with severe depression, so it’s important to know what to look for.

1. Hard to See the Bright Side

Maybe you have a hard time thinking about anything in a positive light. Do you consider yourself to be somewhat of a “downer?” Maybe people have even called you that before.

Your negative, sad thoughts might not stop you from getting up in the morning, going to work, or caring for yourself or your family, but they’re always there. They’re persistent and make it difficult to see the bright side of things.

2. You’re Hard on Yourself

High-functioning depression can make you highly critical of yourself. Even when someone chooses to give you a compliment, you might not believe it or you might see a negative contrast.

You might even look for ways to put yourself down. This kind of negative self-talk fuels depression and perpetuates the cycle. You might be able to interact with others and even stay social, but when you’re not kind to yourself, those settings become uncomfortable and sometimes overwhelming.

3. Weight Changes

One of the symptoms of depression is a change in your eating habits. This is just as true for high-functioning depression. In fact, you might turn to food even more frequently as a way to find comfort or to combat negative feelings while ensuring you’re still getting through the day.

While overeating to cope with depression can cause you to gain weight, some people with high-functioning depression experience the opposite issue. They forget to eat because their thoughts are so distracting. So, they tend to lose weight. These fluctuations aren’t just clear signs of depression, but they can also be dangerous to your physical well-being.

4. Struggling to Feel Normal

To the outside world, you might be going through life like everyone else. People might notice that you seem sad or down sometimes, but because you’re able to keep up with school or work, they likely won’t assume anything is wrong.

You might not think anything is wrong, either. When you have consistent, persistent feelings of sadness, you might start to get used to them, and assume that’s just how things are, rather than acknowledging there’s a bigger problem.

So, even if you can get through your daily tasks, think about how difficult it is. Do you struggle to get things done? Do you lack motivation and find yourself having to “push through?” That’s likely a sign of something bigger than simple sadness.

5. Feeling Hopeless

High-functioning depression doesn’t necessarily take away the thoughts of sadness and hopelessness that often go with this condition. You might be able to get through the workday, but do you find yourself often crying at home? Maybe when you walk through the door and sit down on the couch for the night, you feel your lowest because your thoughts are able to creep in without any distractions to help.

Unfortunately, there are many other signs of high-functioning depression, but knowing just a few can be the motivation you need to seek help. You don’t have to live this way forever. Depression therapy can help you better understand the root of your depression while offering valuable strategies for symptom management. If you’re interested in learning more, reach out for a consultation today.