When most people think about depression, certain stereotypes come to mind. They might picture someone who is extremely sad all the time. Or, they might envision someone who can hardly get out of bed in the morning because the weight of it all is just too much.
Unfortunately, in some cases, those stereotypes are true.
Depression can be a crippling condition that makes it difficult to cope with everyday life.
However, that isn’t the experience for everyone.
Some people have high-functioning depression. While it’s just as serious and nothing to take lightly, high-functioning depression often looks different (on the surface) from severe forms of the condition.
So, what exactly does it look like? What does it mean to have high-functioning depression, and what can you do if you or someone you care about is dealing with it?
What Is High-Functioning Depression?
While many mental illnesses impair a person’s ability to function, that isn’t always the case. When it comes to high-functioning depression, most people are able to live their lives as they normally would, or with only a few small adjustments.
That might seem like a good thing. Unfortunately, it can make this type of depression harder to diagnose and treat. When someone is able to get up, go about their day, and it appears that nothing is wrong, they’re not going to feel encouraged to get help, even though their underlying symptoms are very real, and they’re likely struggling on the inside.
Symptoms of High-Functioning Depression
Many of the symptoms of this type of depression are similar to more extreme cases. You might feel fatigued, experience a lack of self-esteem, or go through changes in your eating or sleeping habits.
It’s also common for those with high-functioning depression to feel down most of the time. Maybe it’s not enough to keep you from going to work or spending time with loved ones. But, if those loved ones point out your “gloomy” disposition more often than not, that’s something to consider.
You might also feel tired all the time, no matter how much sleep you get. While you get everything done, including going to work, keeping things up at home, and running the errands you’re supposed to, everything feels like an overwhelming chore.
Finally, it’s not uncommon for people with this type of depression to have to force themselves to engage in physical activities. On the inside, they’re often feeling helpless, hopeless, and bad about themselves.
If any of these things sound familiar, you could be dealing with high-functioning depression. Unfortunately, if you let things go and try to ignore the signs, they’ll likely become worse and could put you at risk for things like substance abuse, relationship issues, or even problems at work or school.
How to Treat High-Functioning Depression
The good news is that high-functioning depression can be managed and treated.
The first step is recognizing there’s a problem and having a desire to get to the root cause of it.
Peeling back layers and uncovering the cause of your depression is essential when it comes to working through it and moving forward.
Your depression might not impair the way you do things. But it’s likely hindering the way you experience and enjoy your life. Being able to work through where it stems from, understanding your symptoms and triggers, and learning effective strategies to manage those symptoms will all help you eventually overcome those helpless thoughts and feelings.
If you believe you’re dealing with high-functioning depression, don’t weigh yourself down thinking you can go on this way forever. Contact Crossroads Counseling for more information or to set up an appointment. Together, we’ll get to the bottom of your depression, and work on the best strategies to overcome it.
Our team of caring therapists would be honored to support you in taking the next step to address your depression symptoms. We have offices throughout the Valley of the Sun including Phoenix, Anthem, Scottsdale and online. Start your therapy journey with Crossroads Counseling, please follow these simple steps:
- Contact Crossroads Counseling for a complimentary 15-minute phone consult
- Meet with a therapist who can help you with high-functioning depression
- Start your journey towards healing!
Our offices are located throughout the valley with counseling centers located in Phoenix, Anthem, and Scottsdale. Call us at 623-680-3486,text 623-688-5115, or email info@crossroadsfcc.com. We offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to answer your questions and better understand how we can help you.
