The Signs & Symptoms of High-Functioning Depression
Depression has a funny way of masking itself. If you find that you have a low mood most days or difficulty feeling motivated, there’s a chance depression is the culprit. If you think you might be struggling with depression, it is important to seek the help of a medical professional to get the proper medical diagnosis.
Throughout this article, we will discuss what high-functioning depression is, including the different types and how a medical professional may diagnose it.
Defining Depression
Depression is a mood disorder with persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. It can also be called a major depressive disorder or clinical depression, and it affects how you behave, think, and feel.
What is High-Functioning Depression?
Adding a layer to this is understanding what high-functioning depression is. This type of depression is a non-clinical label for those with depression that isn’t severe enough to be diagnosed as clinical.
Someone with high-functioning depression can typically still complete daily tasks and obligations while still having a lack of motivation and low mood. Typically, those with high-functioning depression can still attend school and work and maintain their home and relationships. It’s also common for them to mask their depression and have more mild symptoms.
Causes of High-Functioning Depression
A possible cause of high-functioning depression can be high levels of stress caused by family, work, or school. Various traumas, including emotional abuse, loss of a loved one, or financial problems, can also be triggers and have negative impacts on mental health. It’s also possible that someone can have a predisposition based on family traits to become depressed.
Signs and Symptoms
Someone with high-functioning depression might appear “normal” and have a smile on their face or seem like they’re in a good mood. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean their mental health is in a good state. They can sometimes feel irritable, have a poor appetite, and feel hopeless.
Signs of high-functioning depression include:
Having lower productivity levels
Actively talking about feeling or being hopeless and helpless.
An example can be saying they “can’t do anything right” or they “can’t win.”
Not having much energy despite adequate amounts of sleep
At the same time, they can tend to oversleep
Others can find themselves ruminating at night or not being able to sleep
Finding themselves frequently angry or irritable
For some, it means increased appetites and weight gain. Others can have a poor appetite and rapid weight loss
Being less active or being less willing to do things
How to Cope
Outside of speaking to a healthcare professional or trying medications, there are things you can do to help cope and manage high-functioning depression. Various lifestyle changes can be made that are often found to be helpful for many forms of depression.
Set daily and attainable goals.
Sometimes, setting goals can feel daunting. It’s important to try and set goals that can be easily reached to help boost a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence. One goal to work towards is establishing healthy sleep habits. This will not only help you physically, but it will also help you mentally by improving your mood and overall health.
Make changes to your diet and exercise routine.
Try to make active changes to your diet by eating a more well-balanced diet. This can help improve focus, give you more energy, and help you feel less sluggish. It’s also important to try and limit or stop using alcohol and drugs. While many use them to mask depression, it can end up making symptoms worse.
If you’re physically able to exercise, try to increase or begin some sort of exercise routine. Taking a walk every day, practicing yoga, or joining an online exercise class can all be great ways to help improve mental and physical health.
Stay connected with friends and family.
Reach out to family and friends. It’s important to stay in contact and let your family and friends know how you’re doing.
While having high-functioning depression can feel lonely and scary, try to remember you’re not alone. Therapy can help you understand your depression and find the source. Contact our office today to set up your first appointment for depression therapy.
