High-Functioning Depression has become an informal term to describe people who have depressive symptoms who don't present like your typical "depressive person." They might not have as many issues as we typically see with getting out of bed each day, or going to work, or even socializing.
Though on the outside someone with high-functioning depression might seem okay, they might still be struggling with: -motivation
-sadness
-loneliness
-feelings of futility
-not feeling "right"
-negative cognitive distortions
-poor self-esteem
-changes in eating
-substance use
And more...
The Cleveland Clinic describes it beautifully by saying: "Some people can experience depression in a way that doesn't appear debilitating from the outside, but still causes them a wave of turmoil inside." https://health.clevelandclinic.org/high-functioning-depression
In the same article, The Cleveland Clinic references Dr.Potter (psyD), “If it takes a person without depression 5% of their energy to do their laundry, it may cause a person with depression 10 times that. A person with high-functioning depression will probably get the laundry done. But the expense is huge." What a powerful statement. If you or someone you know has a high-functioning presentation of depression, you/they might actually be doing all the same things we normally do, but it takes a much bigger toll.
While this isn't a formal diagnosis, as a therapist, I see a LOT of high-functioning depression especially among healthcare and other high-demand working professionals. I also see it a lot in parents. A lot of my clients will describe it as, "well I feel like I'm falling apart on the inside but I can't fall apart on the outside because WHO will pickup the pieces?" The expense of falling apart is immense when you have kids who need you, a job that depends on you, or other big responsibilities that you know other people might not take care of in your absence.
Tragically, this is often the type of depression we often don't recognize until it's too late. We hear of community members, or celebrities, or even friends/family who have died via suicide without any "warning signs." We hear of it after someone we never expected to be in the psychiatric unit ends up there for an extended period of time. But maybe the signs were there, just more subtly. Maybe they kept going to work and picking up the kids while feeling broken/stuck on the inside. Or maybe because of the masks that so many people wear, we just never had a chance to really know what was going on. If losing someone to suicide is something you've been through, please know it wasn't your fault, you're not alone, and it's worth reaching out.
If you are struggling and don't know what's going on, if your sleep is funky, if you have a "not right" kind of feeling while muddling through the routines of life, if you have moments of intense hopelessness, sadness, or meaninglessness....reach out. It might be high-functioning depression, anxiety, or something else worth exploring. I know it takes a lot of energy. But even just one email, text, or call is worth it. When you're in the seasons of feeling stuck or low, it might feel like life will never get better. But it can. We've seen that and that's why we hold onto hope for our clients, loved ones, and other people who struggle when they do reach out.
We have a team of amazing counsellors in BC who work online for clients anywhere in the province, or in person in Cranbrook & Kimberley. Reach out at www.talkinghelpsheal.com
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