In High-functioning depression, people do not look sad from the outside, and also do not face any difficulty in functioning in different areas of their lives. However, from inside, they are depressed. Whether it is their academic work, dealing with clients in the office, participating in any activity with their friends, or making a bond with them, they always feel that every chore is a highly complicated and tiring task. But it’s not necessary that every individual experiences the same or that every depression looks like this.
Let’s understand more the high-functioning Depression to get a complete idea of this.
High-functioning depression is not officially and clinically diagnosed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, this term is known by several people, in which individuals internally experience the symptoms of depression but do not completely express them while performing daily life activities and all responsibilities.
Prevalence of High-Functioning Depression
Approximately 1.5% of US adults suffer from high-functioning depression every year. Likewise, its lifetime prevalence is 3.6%. Moreover, only 49% are those individuals who experience and report severe impairment due to the symptoms of high-functioning depression.
Major Signs or Symptoms of High-Functioning Depression
There is a strong resemblance between the symptoms of high-functioning depression with major depressive disorder or depression. Moreover, it is also reported that the severity of the symptoms of high-functioning depression is lower compared to the other forms of depression, which have a higher rate of their symptoms.
Mental health professionals can better diagnose the actual condition or identify the symptoms of high-functioning depression. They specialize in making an accurate diagnosis of whether the individual is suffering from high-functioning depression or any other mental illness.
The following are the major and most common signs or symptoms of High-Functioning Depression:
Low mood
Individuals dealing with high-functioning depression usually feel sad or anxious and have low energy levels. Even if they get happy, their feelings do not stay long and rapidly vanish.
Sense of hopelessness
Due to high-functioning anxiety, individuals feel that they do not have any self-worth and that they are not capable of doing anything in their lives.
Negative thoughts
The mind of individuals with high-functioning depression is most often filled with negative thoughts about themselves and others.
Sense of fatigue
Externally, individuals with high-functioning depression look active, but internally, they feel fatigue and tiredness.
Lack of confidence
Individuals with high-functioning depression have reduced confidence and self-esteem and therefore prefer to avoid engaging in any activity.
Difficulty in making decisions
They also face trouble in making the most significant decisions in their life.
Anhedonia
Due to underlying depression, they do not find happiness or pleasure in those things or activities that were once enjoyable for them.
Difficulty in concentration
Due to underlying depressive symptoms, they face difficulty in paying attention in the classroom or to other important things or tasks that require their attention.
Substance abuse
Alcohol and substance abuse become their habit, and they always consider it to reduce their stress and feel better.
Issues in sleep
High-functioning depression also involves some sleep issues, such as insomnia or oversleeping.
Negative changes in appetite
Individuals usually start overeating or do not take a sufficient diet to fulfill their body’s needs.
Irritable behavior
They feel irritable, restless, and agitated.
Social isolation
Individuals with high-functioning depression usually prefer to stay alone and usually avoid talking with their loved ones or others. They think that they can not easily make and maintain their bonds with everyone.
Reduce productivity
The prolonged phase of sadness also affects their academic performance to a great extent.
What are the major causes of High-Functioning Depression?
Whether it is high-functioning depression or any other form of depression, there can be several causes that can trigger the depressive phase. Majorly, high-functioning depression happens due to the following reasons:
Genetics
There is a link between genetic susceptibility and the onset of depression. If any of your family members have a history of depression, then there are higher chances that you will also suffer from this mental illness.
Hormonal imbalance
Hormones are the specialized chemical messengers that play a major role in controlling different brain functions or activities. If there is a hormonal imbalance, then it can result in the onset of depression.
Changes in brain chemistry
Certain changes in the brain can also result in the development of high-functioning anxiety in individuals. Imbalance in the level of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine can also cause the onset of symptoms of depression.
Environmental stress factors
External stress factors can also become a main trigger of high-functioning depression, which include:
- Loss of any loved one
- Financial loss
- Sudden accident
- Divorce
- Brain injury
- Trauma
Social isolation
Individuals who mostly spend their time alone suffer from depression more as compared to those who do not remain socially isolated. Therefore, social isolation is one of the major causes of depression.
Limited availability of resources
Reduced access to essential resources, such as food or any domestic items, can also contribute to the depressive phase.
Psychological factors
Psychological health is also vital for the well-being of individuals.
The following psychological factors can also result the depression:
Decreased confidence
If you feel less confident and have low self-esteem, then there is an increased probability that depressive thoughts, feelings, and emotions will appear in your mind.
Negative thought patterns
Increased and repeated occurence of negative thoughts can exaggerate the symptoms of depression and other common mental issues.
Why is High-Functioning Depression hard to recognize?
The common belief related to depression is a stop or difficulty in functioning. People think that if someone is battling with depression, then they can’t easily get out of their bed every morning, complete their daily assignments, and meet new people easily.
But in reality, these stereotypes do not fit with high-functioning depression. As individuals do not feel sad, low, or sick from the outside, their loved ones can not identify what they are going through inside with their feelings of sadness, low motivation, and energy, etc. This is why high-functioning depression mostly remains undiagnosed.
Major Depression VS High-Functioning Depression
| Major Depression | High Functioning Depression |
| Individuals suffering from depression do not easily perform their daily life tasks. | In high-functioning anxiety, individuals can easily handle all their responsibilities. |
| Major depressive disorder is officially recognized in DSM-5. | There is no official clinical diagnosis of high-functioning depression in DSM-5. |
| It significantly affects the daily functioning | High-functioning depression does not impair daily life functioning |
When to seek professional help for High-Functioning Depression
Any form of depression can interfere with the normal daily functioning of individuals. Although in high-functioning depression, daily tasks and responsibilities are not affected but internally, there is a high level of sadness and low energy levels that should never be ignored and treated immediately once recognized. If you feel at any point in your life that your symptoms of depression are becoming visible and disturbing your mental health and overall well-being, then without any delay, seek professional help. Talk to mental health professionals, share your mental health issues, and get rid of your depression.
How to treat the High-Functioning Depression?
Although high-functioning anxiety is not apparent, it should be managed on time. If it is not treated or managed on time, then it can persist for a longer period. High-functioning depression can be effectively treated with the help of medications, psychotherapy, and healthy and positive lifestyle alterations.
Most useful Treatment Options
Medications
Psychiatric medications, which help in managing symptoms of high-functioning depression and are mostly recommended by the experts, include:
Antidepressants
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Atypical antidepressants
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is considered one of the most effective treatment options for high-functioning depression and other common mental health issues. There are several psychotherapeutic approaches to get rid of their mental issues, such as:
Cognitive behavioral therapy
This therapy focuses on identifying and altering negative thoughts, feelings, emotions, beliefs, and the associated behavior into their positive versions. In cognitive behavioral therapy sessions, experts develop a secure and friendly environment for individuals so they can speak their hearts out and find the best and most effective treatment plans.
Interpersonal therapy
Individuals with high-functioning depression are unable to manage the intensity of their emotions. They do not easily make and maintain their relationships with others. This therapy helps them improve their social functioning and relationships by resolving all issues or conflicts.
Group therapy
Group therapy also works best for managing the symptoms of high-functioning depression. In group therapy sessions, individuals suffering from the same mental issue, such as high functioning depression, share their mental issues, previous life experiences with each other, and learn various skills, such as social skills, and also increase their confidence and self-esteem.
Healthy Lifestyle Interventions
By inducing some positive lifestyle changes, you can overcome your high-functioning depression:
Healthy diet
A healthy, nutritious diet is essential to maintain both physical and mental health. If you focus on your lifestyle, then you can acquire mental stability and manage the symptoms of high-functioning depression.
Regular exercise
By regularly performing the exercise or any physical activity, you can boost your mood and maintain sound mental health.
Sufficient sleep
Your sleep patterns are also linked to your mental health. If you get sufficient sleep, then you can easily deal with each type of mental illness, including high-functioning depression.
Practice self-care
Don’t ever forget your inner self by getting trapped in the cycle of your negative thoughts. Focus on your personality and do those things for yourself that protect both your physical and mental health.
Mindflness and meditation
With the help of mindfulness strategies, you can stay in and enjoy the present moments without focusing on the past distressing memories. By regularly practising mindfulness and meditation techniques, you can reduce your stress and also manage the intensity of your emotions.
- Meditation
- Guided meditation
- Mindful breathing
Sit in the sunlight
Get some time from your hectic schedule and sit in the sunlight, as it helps in improving mental health.
How to support someone with High-Functioning Depression?
If you want to support anyone who is dealing with high-functioning depression, then consider the following ways:
Validate their feelings
Show your love and concern to the individuals who are battling with high-functioning depression or any other mental illness. Validate their feelings and experience, and make them realize that their feelings are not bad and that they can overcome their mental issues with their inner potential.
Listen them
Always listen to them so they feel valuable. Show your support and encouragement to them so they never get stuck in their undesired negative thoughts and deal with them with full courage and confidence.
Respect their space
Do not try to impose your decisions on them. Instead of this, give them their own space so they can explore themselves and find ways to grapple with their hidden depression.
Engage them in social activities.
Isolated individuals have more difficulty in dealing with their depression. Therefore, encourage them to participate in social activities so they not only distract their mind but also learn several social skills that help them to excel in their life.
Do not criticize them.
Most people, when they listen to each other, then they start criticizing, which is not appropriate. So instead of criticizing their thoughts, teach them to positively challenge them and transform them into positive ones.
Advocate for professional help.
If you feel that they can not handle their situation alone, then convince them to seek professional help.
Concluding Remarks
High functioning is a type of depression in which depressive symptoms are not visible, and normal life functioning is also not affected. Everything seems normal as they keep up with the demands and daily requirements of their life. But from deep inside, depression exists. The most common symptoms of high functioning anxiety include prolonged phases of sadness, lower energy levels, irritability, ty and social isolation, etc. Genetics, hormonal imbalance, changes in brain chemistry, and environmental stress factors can cause high-functioning depression. However, right and on-time therapeutic strategies can help in getting rid of high-functioning depression.
Get Professional Help today at Renewed Mental Health Group.
If you feel that you or someone you know is dealing with any kind of depression, then Renewed is here to help.
Here, at Renewed, you can find the best reliable, and professional treatment of all common mental health issues, which include anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, and ADHD etc.
We have an extensive team of mental health professionals who have specialization in diagnosis and mental health treatment. Considering the distinct mental health requirements of each individual, they develop personalized therapeutic strategies. We do not just treat the mental illness; we also provide complete guidance and support to manage the symptoms of each mental health disorder.
We always consider the ease of individuals in getting reliable mental care from top mental health providers. That’s why we offer the telehealth service, so individuals without going anywhere or attending physical appointments, get the best care that they deserve. They just have to join the online therapy sessions to find the best mental health treatment plans.
So if you are ready to empower your mental health, then contact the Renewed Mental Health Group to book your first consultation and start your journey to mental wellness that lasts forever.