Most people have a basic idea of the common signs of depression. However, what fewer understand is that not all depression looks the same. Some people experience different symptoms than others. Some people even experience more severe depression than others. One “level” that is often overlooked is high-functioning depression. People with high-functioning depression typically display symptoms that others might not notice. They’re often able to live normal lives. They can work, attend events, spend time with their families, and appear “fine” to everyone else. However, if you’re dealing with high-functioning depression and you try to convince yourself you’re “fine,” it could end up doing more harm than good.
What Are the Signs of High-Functioning Depression?
First, it’s important to recognize whether you’re actually dealing with depression. Those with a high-functioning condition might try to ignore their symptoms or assume they’re something else. Unfortunately, that’s often where the problems begin.
The signs of high-functioning depression are similar to that of any other “level.” They include things like:
Feelings of hopelessness
Fatigue
Loss of interest
Changes in eating or sleeping habits
Feelings of guilt
With high-functioning depression, these symptoms are less intense, and you’re likely to be able to go through your daily routine without feeling held back by your own emotions.
What Are the Risks?
Unfortunately, because the symptoms of high-functioning depression aren’t as severe, you might try to ignore them or “push” them down. That can work for a while, but emotions always demand to be felt. As a result, it’s not uncommon for someone with high-functioning depression to deal with digestive issues and headaches as they try to keep everything to themselves. If you’re not feeling physically well on a daily basis, it’s important to ask yourself how you might be contributing to that.
When people with depression of any kind try to keep things to themselves, they’re also more likely to “self-medicate.” They don’t want to become a burden to friends or family members. That often leads to substance abuse issues, including getting too involved with drinking. However, turning to dangerous habits can end up making depression worse while creating a completely new set of problems.
It’s also fairly common for people with high-functioning depression to feel like everything is a struggle. You might go to work each day and participate in family functions, but is it difficult to do? Do you have to force yourself to get out of the house and maintain a positive quality of life?
Depression is one of the most common mental health issues, and it’s also one of the easiest to manage. However, it’s not easy on your own. Without help, you’re likely to continue to ignore your symptoms and make things worse. Ignoring the signs of high-functioning depression also means you won’t get the help you need—and deserve.
What Should You Do?
If the signs and symptoms listed here sound familiar, it’s important to talk to a mental health professional. You’ll learn more about high-functioning depression and how to manage it. Don’t assume that just because you’re able to get through the day that your depression “doesn’t count.” No one deserves to live with such plaguing thoughts. A therapist can help you by getting to the root cause of your depression. That serves as a baseline to help you overcome where your depression started while learning how to manage your symptoms in healthy, effective ways.
If you’re interested in learning more about high-functioning depression or believe you might be struggling with it, don’t hesitate to reach out. Feel free to set up an appointment soon; we can work together to help you find relief with depression treatment.