If you hold down a job, take care of family members, and smile for holiday photos, it might seem as though everything is fine. However, if your day-to-day is plagued by a persistent heaviness, exhaustion, or a sense of unfulfillment, then you could be living with high-functioning depression.
Here’s a look at what it is, how to spot the signs, and what you can do about it. If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, our team has expertise in depression counselling in Sheffield and would love to help you.
What is high-functioning depression?
High-functioning depression is not a formal medical diagnosis, but it can describe people who meet the criteria for conditions such as anhedonia or dysthymia. However, it can be underdiagnosed, because outwardly the individual can carry out their daily activities without showing any particular sign of struggle.
The person does not exhibit classic symptoms of depression, such as struggling to get out of bed in the morning and being unable to perform their duties. However, they may share similar symptoms such as a persistent feeling of sadness or helplessness; difficulty sleeping; constant fatigue; poor concentration; and losing enjoyment in activities.
Why it can hide in plain sight
People with high-functioning depression are often outwardly successful: they have professional careers; the house, car and family. They might find it difficult to understand why they feel the way they do, or feel guilty and ashamed for not being able to feel ‘grateful’ for what they have.
This can lead to the person developing masking techniques to hide their depression and fit in with what’s expected of them. Even those close to the person may not suspect that anything is wrong. A busy lifestyle can mean that any slip-ups are put down to stress, and the busyness is a useful way to avoid facing up to difficult feelings.
The person may develop particular coping strategies, such as throwing all their energy in work, or taking caring responsibilities to avoid thinking about themselves. They may use numbing mechanisms such as alcohol, comfort food or excessive screen time, which provides temporary relief and allows them to go on with the outwardly capable act.
Why it’s important to seek help
A person that keeps on pushing through may be reluctant to seek help, despite what they are going through: they might feel like they don’t deserve treatment, or that other people have it much worse than them. However, continuing to suffer in silence can lead to eventual burnout, chronic stress, relationship breakdowns or even addictions.
If you feel near the point of crisis, it’s essential that you reach out to a health professional. They will be able to make an assessment and establish if there is an underlying cause for the depression, such as a hormone imbalance or a genetic susceptibility to depression.
The depression might have been triggered by a past traumatic experience, and in this case the person may benefit from therapy or counselling.