High-functioning depression is a relatively newer term that has been used to describe individuals who are experiencing symptoms of depression but are not registered as clinically depressed.
Individuals with high-functioning depression may often be improperly diagnosed or go undiagnosed because they often come across as highly productive, successful, and put together. However, those who suffer from high-functioning depression often feel like they’re “faking it” based on what others believe and do not want to reveal their true feelings or perhaps even know how to express them.
Because high-functioning depression is difficult to understand and identify, this blog will dive into the different types of depression, causes, signs to looks for, and ways to cope.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) vs. High-functioning depression
Depression is a serious mental health condition characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest can disrupt daily life for adults, teens, and even children. More than 264 million people worldwide experience depression and its symptoms, which impact the way an individual feels about him or herself, loved ones, and the world.
Depression is often categorized based on severity: mild, moderate, and severe or persistent. Within each level are different forms of depression, such as persistent depressive disorder (PDD) or dysthymia, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and major depressive disorder (MDD or clinical depression). High-functioning depression, though it is not as known, also falls within this spectrum.
To understand the difference between high-functioning depression and other forms, let’s discuss the most severe form of depression — major depressive disorder. MDD is a form of clinical depression in which a depressive state affects more than one area of your life. For example, in addition to impacting your mood and behavior, it can also affect other physical functions, such as eating, sleeping, working, and interacting with others. The “low” mood associated with MDD typically persists for two or more weeks.
High-functioning depression is a term that has been used to describe those with deeply internalized depressive symptoms who are able to maintain their social and work life in a way that society views as “normal.” It can also be difficult to identify due to a lack of visible symptoms. For this reason, those experiencing HFD are considered to be “high-functioning individuals.” Although these individuals may not exhibit any outward signs of depression, they can still experience depressive symptoms such as sadness or anxiety, which they internalize.
This form of depression also varies from MDD in that it’s not clinically listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) book. Despite this, high-functioning depression is still as serious as other types of depression and should not be ignored.
Causes of High-Functioning Depression
Depression is known as one of the most common mental disorders in America with one in 10 adults experiencing it at some point in their life. Despite its prevalence, there is no single cause of depression.
Depression is a disorder in which a person feels incredibly sad, hopeless, or unimportant. It can be caused by genetics, childhood trauma, stress, substance abuse (including alcohol), or any other number of factors that disrupt natural brain chemistry regulation.
Signs and Symptoms of High-Functioning Depression
An individual struggling with depression may exhibit mild to severe symptoms. The signs of those struggling with high-functioning depression, however, can be difficult to recognize because the person with the illness may appear happy on the surface.
A person with depression may exhibit:
- Lack of interest in activities they used to enjoy
- Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping too much or not enough)
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Constant feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- Increased irritability
- Loss of energy and motivation
- Suicidal thoughts
Coping with the Symptoms of High-Functioning Depression
1. Make time for yourself: Whether you enjoy reading a book, going for a run, or cooking your favorite meal, this simple means carving out time each week where you do something you love without any distractions or interruptions.
2. Talk to someone you trust: Expressing your feelings can be challenging — and even scary — to do. But finding a friend or family member you know you can confide in without judgement can greatly help lessen the burden of how you’re feeling. We recommend starting slow until you grow more comfortable with sharing those innermost feelings. Maybe it’s asking a family member to pick up your kids when you’re feeling extremely overwhelmed or saying no to plans. You don’t have to verbally express everything you are experiencing right off the bat — figuring out what you need first and sharing those things can be a critical first step!
3. Maintain Overall Wellness: We’ve been told since we were kids to eat our veggies and that still hasn’t changed! Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet can significantly improve your mood and energy levels. By pair a nutritious meal plan with regular exercise can boost your mood further, as exercise releases endorphins, which are known to produce feelings of euphoria.
4. Get enough zzz’s: Getting a good night’s sleep, meaning 7+ hours, is key for regulating mood. In fact, one study on sleep disorders and depression noted, “Epidemiological studies have pointed out that insomnia in nondepressed subjects is a risk factor for later development of depression. There is therefore a need for more successful management of sleep disturbance in depression, in order to improve quality of life in these patients and reduce an important factor in depressive relapse and recurrence.”
5. Seek professional help from a mental health expert: If you have been experiencing depression, it is important to know that you are not alone and there are plenty of resources available. A therapist, for example, will view your experiences from an unbiased perspective and suggest specific tools for coping with depression. In most cases, therapy sessions will be one-on-one or as a group depending on your needs. At North Jersey Health & Wellness, we are proud to offer individual and group therapy sessions, led by compassionate therapists who specialize in various depressive mood disorders.
Recognizing you are struggling in order to move forward
While high-functioning depression can be difficult to identify, it doesn’t make the symptoms any less real or debilitating to the individual experiencing it. The first step in coping with high-functioning depression is understanding what it really means and how your experience might present itself differently than someone who has another form of depression.
From there, we recommend working on reducing your stress levels by using our list of coping techniques above to find a balance in your day-to-day. We also highly recommend speaking with a trusted loved one or a therapist that specializes in coping with depression and other emotional health challenges.
If you or someone you know is struggling with high-functioning depression, there are plenty of resources available online and our five locations offer appointments for those seeking professional help.
Would you like to book an evaluation? Contact us today at:
- Email: info@njhwellness.com
- Phone: (201) 588-3491 or (973) 556-7702
- Online Form: njhwllc.com/contact/