What is High-Functioning Depression?

High-functioning depression can be difficult to spot.

A person with high-functioning depression will usually experience the majority of the same symptoms as a person with clinical depression. The main difference is that the symptoms tend to be less debilitating.

Sadly, the person may go about their life looking like they are coping well even though they are struggling internally.

Here, we explain what high-functioning depression is, the symptoms, the potential causes, how to cope and the treatment.

What is high-functioning depression?

The term ‘high-functioning depression’ describes a person who goes about their day doing exactly what they should do (working, socialising, exercising) while dealing with a deep sadness or worry.

A person suffering from high-functioning depression may find it harder to ask for help as they want to carry on as normal – they tend to worry that those around them will not understand their struggles.

The main symptoms of high-functioning depression

The signs and symptoms of this illness may be subtle, but you are likely to feel the below:

• You may feel ‘down’ or sad a lot of the time. When you do feel happy, this is often short-lived.
• You will likely have a pessimistic view of the world.
• You may feel tired all the time, even if you think you are getting enough sleep.
• You might cry or become emotional for no clear reason.
• You will likely fulfill all your responsibilities, such as childcare, work, and chores, but they feel like a big effort.
• You likely feel unworthy or as though you are an ‘imposter’ going through life.
• You may believe that you do not deserve to be happy.
• You are likely very self-critical and find it hard to receive a compliment.
• You will attend social activities and feel as though you are forcing yourself to go.
• You might drink alcohol or use drugs to try and make yourself feel better.

It is worth noting that because your mood is always low, and your symptoms are mild, depression may present as  normal or part of your personality. The people around you might feel as though you are miserable, lazy, and pessimistic rather than suffering from a mental health problem that needs addressing. This is often why high-functioning depression can be hard to spot. Unlike clinical depression, high-functioning depression can appear over time without triggers.

The potential causes of high-functioning depression

High-functioning depression can be caused by several factors, understanding said causes may help you manage your feelings.

• Genetics – depression can run in families, if your parents or grandparents suffered from depression then you are more likely to.
• The stresses of life – events such as losing a job, a relationship breakdown or financial problems can trigger high-functioning depression.
• Environmental factors – your surroundings may play a part in your mental wellbeing. For example, a stressful work environment or living somewhere loud or crowded.
• Relationship issues – consistent disagreements or fights with loved ones, friends, or coworkers might lead to high-functioning depression over time.
• Physical health problems – dealing with illness can cause high-functioning depression.
• A general lack of support – feeling like you do not have support from the people around you can also contribute to these feelings.

How to cope with high-functioning depression

Managing your high-functioning depression may feel like a huge challenge but with the right strategy, you can learn to cope.

• Acknowledge your feelings of depression – make sure to acknowledge and accept that you are experiencing high-functioning depression.
• Share your feelings with a loved one – share your experience of high-functioning depression with someone you trust. They could be a friend, a loved one, your GP or even a therapist. If talking feels like too much, try writing down your feelings.
• Practice good wellbeing – wellbeing refers to a wide variety of things you can do to support your mental health. It can include mindfulness, meditation, and grounding exercises. All these things can contribute to your mental health!
• Make positive changes to your daily routine – this could be as simple as drinking more water, being more active or taking up a new hobby.
• Stay active – exercise is one of the best FREE options to help your mental health. Keep it simple and add more steps to your routine or go all out and sign up for the gym.

Treatment for high-function depression

If you recognise some of the symptoms mentioned in this article in yourself, speak with your GP. Your GP will be able to advise on the different treatment options for depression and discuss the best treatment for you and your circumstances. Your GP can also refer you to specialist services for talking therapies, or you can refer yourself through the NHS IAPT service.

Northern Healthcare provides 24/7 support to individuals with a mental health diagnosis. Our teams support individuals with recovery plans and provide clinical support to help individuals manage their mental health, working towards independence and recovery. Find out more about our support model here.

Thank you for reading!

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References:

https://www.ashleytreatment.org/rehab-blog/signs-high-functioning-depression/

https://www.calm.com/blog/high-functioning-depression

Image by Amir Hosseini on Unsplash.