Everyone has natural mood swings. But those with high-functioning depression often feel down and detached for long periods. This condition is insidious and hard to identify. It makes its sufferers seem like high achievers. They manage their work or school tasks and show no signs of distress. Yet, those with high-functioning depression often struggle to find meaning and motivation.
It’s important to recognize the signs of this depression. Early treatment usually leads to better outcomes.
What is High Functioning Depression?
High-functioning depression is not a clinical term or one found in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Despite this, it is widely used and recognized in the mental health field. It often describes a successful but burned-out, depressed person. An important feature of this term is that it breaks the stigma around what someone who has depression “looks” like.
High-functioning depression is often associated with the condition persistent depressive disorder (PDD). PDD is marked by being chronic (lasting 2 or more years) and a low-level form of depression. People with high-functioning depression may feel low, tired, or detached for long periods. But they can usually maintain their daily lives. This differs from major depressive disorder, which is more severe and usually lasts for a few weeks.
It is estimated that nearly 3% of the population will struggle with PDD at some point. It can impact people from all walks of life – even high-performing students or professionals could be suffering from this condition and masking it. This is one of many reasons mental health awareness is critical. Many people’s internal struggles go unseen.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of High Functioning Depression?
The signs and symptoms of high-functioning depression can be difficult to spot. This is partly because high achievers with this condition often throw themselves into work or school to cope.
Some common warning signs and symptoms of high-functioning depression are:
- Chronic fatigue and emotional exhaustion: It takes great effort for those with this condition to muster the energy to begin tasks. This effort, plus the emotional work of masking feelings of sadness and helplessness, is exhausting. This creates a cycle of fatigue and burnout.
- Procrastination and lack of motivation: A person with high-functioning depression may avoid a task if they can’t find the motivation to do it.
- Changes in sleep patterns and appetite can range from sleeping too much to insomnia. Additionally, some people may lose their appetite while others may eat larger quantities of food.
Additional symptoms can also include:
- Persistent negative self-talk: This condition can cause constant feelings of self-doubt and negative self-talk. Self-deprecation can be draining and hinder self-esteem.
- Difficulty experiencing joy despite success: People with this condition may seem successful. But, they struggle to value and appreciate their achievements.
- Perfectionism masking inner struggles: Part of the reason some people with high-functioning depression achieve such success is that they fully devote themselves to a task. By fully focusing on a task, they may try to quiet negative self-talk or avoid thinking about their emotional state.
Causes and Risk Factors of High-Functioning Depression
There is no single known cause of high-functioning depression. However, some attributes may put someone at a higher risk of developing this condition. Increased risk factors for high-functioning depression include:
- Having a family history of depression
- Statistically, women have a higher likelihood of developing this condition than men due to their gender.
- Having a very busy or stressful life can contribute to high-functioning depression
- Differences in brain chemistry, including serotonin levels
- Feeling pressure to perform at a high level constantly
Impact on Daily Life and Relationships
High-functioning depression can be isolating. Others often fail to see the effort needed to meet, or exceed, expectations while battling depression. These feelings often have a hidden toll. They leave those with high-functioning depression feeling misunderstood, alone, and burnt out.
Unfortunately, depression raises the risk of substance use disorder (SUD). For some, substance use began as an attempt to self-medicate. They wanted to avoid painful feelings, but it led to dependence or addiction.
Diagnosing and Treating High Functioning Depression
The nature of high-functioning depression makes it difficult to identify. It takes a combination of introspection, a desire to change, and the help of a skilled professional. There is no specific test for high-functioning depression. Doctors usually run blood tests to rule out physical issues. A referral to a therapist or mental health care provider may be offered if no physical concerns are found. These specialized providers may administer a series of questionnaires to confirm a depression diagnosis.
From there, talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help. When using CBT, a therapist will help the client identify and reframe negative thoughts. In some instances, medications such as antidepressants may also be recommended in addition to talk therapy.
Coping Strategies and Self-Help Tips for Those Suffering from High-Functioning Depression
While seeking professional help is important, it can help to take steps to promote mental well-being. Some lifestyle changes for managing high-functioning depression include:
- Maintaining a balanced diet and staying hydrated
- Avoiding recreational drugs and alcohol
- Keeping a mood journal to track highs and lows
- Staying engaged with friends, family, and providers to maintain a strong support network
- Practicing mindfulness and utilizing stress management techniques
- Learning coping strategies for depression, such as breathing exercises
When to Seek Professional Help
If you or a loved one has felt low for a long time, seek treatment for high-functioning depression. Therapy for depression can greatly improve your life and outlook. It can also enhance your relationships. There’s no reason to wait and no shame in seeking help.
If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org/ for support.
SunCloud Can Help You Live Free from High-Functioning Depression
At SunCloud, we specialize in treating depression with tailored, evidence-based approaches. Our team offers various therapy options and flexible programming to meet your unique needs throughout the healing process.
Taking the first step can be life-changing—contact us today to start your journey toward a brighter future.
Sources:
- https://www.nami.org/depression-disorders/the-reality-of-high-functioning-depression/
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9292-persistent-depressive-disorder-pdd
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/persistent-depressive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20350929
