The term “high-functioning depression,” which is commonly known as Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) or dysthymia, describes a type of depression that isn’t typically associated with the idea of someone who cannot get out of bed. With high-functioning depression, a person appears to manage their life well. They go to work, keep up with their relationships, and fulfill their obligations.
However, internally, these individuals might feel drained, empty, and overwhelmed. Because of high-functioning depression’s less visible symptoms, it often goes untreated. In this article, I will touch upon the symptoms of high-functioning depression, how it affects everyday functions, and ways to seek help. If you know someone who is silently battling the disorder, this guide will provide you with valuable information and steps towards healing.
What is High-Functioning Depression?
High-functioning depression is a form of chronic depression that lasts for several years and is often accompanied by mild symptoms in comparison to major depressive disorder (MDD). A person afflicted with high-functioning depression can carry out their activities and major responsibilities as some basic function is still preserved, unlike MDD, which can be paralyzing.
Still, a high-functioning depressed person is likely to experience some degree of sadness, hopelessness, and emptiness. Since they seem to function normally, people often forget to notice the struggle faced by the individual; sometimes, even the individual suffers from the lack of recognition. It is this unnoticed nature of struggles that makes diagnosing and treating high-functioning depression a lot more difficult.
Signs to Identify High-Functioning Depression:
Like any mental health condition, high-functioning depression manifests differently for each afflicted individual but is often characterized by a chronic state of low mood, tiredness, and anhedonia—disinterest towards once pleasurable activities. Other signs that are commonly observed include lack of focus and concentration, feeling useless, and altered eating habits or sleep patterns.
Unlike major depression, these symptoms might not be intense enough to completely incapacitate functioning on a day-to-day basis; however, they do place considerable strain on the individual’s emotional, psychological, and mental health. Along with other symptoms, most individuals with high-functioning depression bear the additional burden of guilt or shame for experiencing such emotions, especially when they seem to successfully maintain control over other aspects of their lives.
The Impact on Daily Life That Goes Unnoticed:
Even though high-functioning depression does not inhibit one from fulfilling one’s responsibilities, it still affects one’s quality of life. They experience a sense of exhaustion, concealing a profound sense of worthlessness and hopelessness. This feeling can eventually lead to burnout, deteriorating relationships, and low self-esteem. Maintaining a facade to appear ‘normal’ is often more demanding than the individual’s actual situation, leading to exhaustion. Self-care or building deep connections becomes a luxury. Maintaining the appearance of success comes at the cost of feeling severely emotionally distressed. High-functioning depression deeply impacts one’s emotional state.
Reasons Why High-Functioning Depression Does Not Get Addressed:
The greatest hurdle concerning high-functioning depression is that it does not get the attention depression deserves. People who have this condition can lead productive lives, which makes it easier for them to cope, so their struggles are often dismissed as an indeterminate loss of energy or mood. They may try to rationalize their emotional struggles, thinking they would bear the burden of “snapping out of it” or that their challenges aren’t serious enough to get professional assistance.
This problem adds to the misconception of social support, which leads to years of unattended depression, exacerbating symptoms, and increasing feelings of loneliness. Better attempts at high-functioning depression could enable those individuals to rely on the tools that are readily available to them.
How to Notice High-Functioning Depression in Yourself or Others:
Paying attention to specific behavior patterns will assist in noticing high-functioning depression. If you notice that you are constantly feeling sad or empty even though you can go about your daily activities, you might be experiencing high-functioning depression. Additional warning signs include persistent low-grade fatigue, increased irritability, and loss of interest in once-enjoyable activities. In others, self-loathing, perfectionism, and overwork that serve as coping strategies for emotional distress stand out as warning signs. If these patterns are noticed, it is critical to address them and obtain professional assistance.
Why You Need To Get Help:
Patients tend to underestimate the severity of their symptoms owing to a lack of immediate mental health disruptions, which often leads them to procrastinate seeking help. Avoiding such assistance significantly slows growth and healing, which is critical for high-functioning depression. Untreated depression can and usually does worsen over time, leading to more severe mental health issues. High-functioning depression can be effectively treated with therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. A mental health professional can help put those structures in place so that you can manage your symptoms and quality of life. Always remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Treatment Approaches for High-Functioning Depression:
The most effective treatment approaches for high-functioning depression include therapy, medication, and changes in one’s lifestyle. A popular method is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which assists people in recognizing and correcting negative thought processes. Antidepressant drugs like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can also aid in symptom management. Along with professional treatment, lifestyle changes like regular exercise, a healthy diet, and mindfulness can greatly bolster mental health. It is best to combine multiple approaches to treatment to achieve the most effective results.
Personal Care Activities for Managing Symptoms:
While having a healthcare professional manage the condition is vital, personal care can greatly aid high-functioning depression. Enjoyable activities ought to be prioritized, even if there’s no initial motivation to do so. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule is important, as sleep deprivation can worsen depression. One should practice mindfulness or meditation for better stress management. Supportive family members or friends can bring emotional relief. Everyone must remember that personal care is not selfish; it’s an essential part of caring for one’s mental well-being.
Conclusion:
The phenomenon of high-functioning depression impacts a significant number of people without others noticing. Often, it appears as though these individuals are coping with life in a functioning manner, but in truth, they are dealing with profound inner voids, fatigue, and despair. For mental health to improve, escaping this cycle requires recognition of the symptoms and assistance. A few of the effective ways to manage high-functioning depression include therapy, medication, self-care, and rediscovery of joy and vigor in life. If you or someone close to you is struggling without revealing it, it is important to note that there is support available, and confronting these challenges need not be done alone. Self-compassion is considered to be the first step towards healing, which requires great courage.
FAQs:
1. What differentiates high-functioning depression from major depression?
High-functioning depression features comparatively milder symptoms that are chronic as opposed to major depression, which is characterized by more intense and often disabling symptoms.
2. Does high-functioning depression require professional assistance, or can it be resolved without illness intervention?
Without treatment, high-functioning depression can persist for years. Receiving assistance from a trained professional is the optimal option to manage and overcome it.
3. How can I help a person who grapples with high-functioning depression?
Provide them with professional help, and empathize with what they are feeling. Avoid belittling their emotions, and instead, practice patience and provide them with the space needed to heal.
4. Is high-functioning depression treated with medication?
Some people respond to medication, but it is not always a necessity. Alternative options such as therapy and changes to one’s lifestyle can also effectively treat the person.
5. Does undergoing high-functioning depression increase the chance of developing other disorders?
Yes. If left untreated, high-functioning depression has the potential to worsen over time. The individual will be at an increased risk of developing more severe mental health conditions.
