High-Functioning Depression: Signs You Might Miss and What to Do

Medically reviewed by Ms. Nawal Ali Shah, Clinical Psychologist

High-functioning depression, in simple terms, is what it feels like to be struggling mentally while still keeping life on track. People who deal with it have a lot of things going on in their minds, but still ensure things are done normally. However, while doing everything and keeping up with life, the person dealing with high-functioning depression feels a constant sense of emptiness within. Lack of energy and a sense of hopelessness fill them.

In this article, we shall talk about the signs and symptoms of high-functioning depression along with its treatment.

Understanding High Functional Depression

The easiest high-functioning depression meaning is having all the symptoms and signs of depression, but still being able to function relatively well in daily life! A lot of people confuse stress with high-functioning depression. In simple terms, normal stress is something that comes and goes. However, high functional depression is persistent and keeps a person down at all times.

What Are The Causes of High-Functioning Depression?

High-functioning depression often occurs due to genetic predisposition, social factors, and lifestyle choices. Let’s talk about the major causes of high-functioning depression in detail:

• Genetic Predetermination

First things first, a lot of people are prone to getting high-functioning depression simply because they are born into a family where this issue runs in the genes. Simple factors like an infection or a chronic illness can unlock this psychology in people who are genetically prone to it.

• Social Factors

A lot of social factors play their part in unraveling high-functioning depression in affectees. Choosing a profession that requires chasing deadlines consistently, entering into a toxic relationship, or losing a loved one can lead to high-functioning depression. Coping with these societal pressures while keeping a smile on the face, but fighting internally can intensify symptoms of depression.

• Lifestyle Choices

In today’s time and date, lifestyle choices also impact a person’s mental health. WHO says that Inadequate sleep, wrong food choices, never-ending procrastination, and minimal physical movement can trigger high-functioning depression.

• Over-exposure And Comparison

Extensive usage of social media and constant comparison of others’ lives with your own is also a cause of depression. Often, people turn to social media to distract themselves from negative thoughts, only to intensify them. If you are depressed but still functioning, you need professional help. Head to SehatYab for professional assistance.

HFD vs Major Depression: Know The Difference

Though a lot of people mix HFD with major depression, they are not same!

Where a person with HSD is highly functional in life where he can hold jobs while simultaneously managing a family, the one dealing depression may not be able to do so! The latter is also way more severe than formal in terms of severity and hampers the ability of a person to pursue life efficiently.

When you see someone with clinical depression, you would witness a visibly affected person. However, HFD doesnt appear apparent and the sufferer appears successful from the outside without giving the onlookers a hint of what is going on the inside!

What Are The Symptoms of High-Functioning Depression?

High-functioning depression symptoms include:

• Never- ending exhaustion
• A sense of tiredness
• Loss of interest in things that once seemed fun
• Self-criticism.
• Hobbies, social plans, and the will to socialize die slowly.

When forced to hang out with friends or colleagues, he would keep a fake smile on the outside while staying uninterested on the inside. Resultantly, he gets emotionally exhausted! High-functioning depression and anxiety also manifest themselves in the feeling of not being enough and constantly trying to make things perfect when they are clearly good enough. This can lead to irritation and frustration.

High Functional Depression in Teens

High-functioning depression in teens is on a constant rise. They are pessimistic and tend to find fault even in simple tasks they or others perform. Some major signs of high-functioning depression include:

• Lack Of Enthusiasm And Constant Negativity

Finding negativity in everyday situations and not showcasing any enthusiasm about life in general can be some symptoms of depression in teens.

• Undermining Compliments

Another major sign of high-functioning depression in teens is their inability to take compliments and feel good about their achievements. Apart from that, sleeping too much or not sleeping at all could also signify the presence of high-functioning depression in teens.

• No Sense of Achievement

A student who consistently keeps high grades in school but feels empty inside with no sense of achievement is a classic case of high-functional depression. Also, a pupil who is always socially active and ensures to be a prominent part of all the school events, but is mentally exhausted, is also someone who is dealing with depression. Living with high-functioning depression is tough! If you are one of those suffering from it, find help through an online consultation with SehatYab.

What Is The Right High-Functioning Depression Treatment?

The right treatment of high-end depression is a mix of a doctor’s prescription of medication for high-functioning depression, therapy, and lifestyle changes. Basically, it is an all-encompassing process that requires consistency and patience.

• Talk Therapy

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a proven way to help a person with high-functioning depression feel better. An expert therapist would identify and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

• Life-Style Changes

Bringing some simple changes to the lifestyle also helps greatly in managing high-functioning depression. For instance, getting regular exercise, sleeping at least eight hours a day, staying away from alcohol and other drugs, and staying in the company of loved ones tend to suppress depressive feelings.

• Limiting Stress-Inducing Tasks

Some ways you can deal with high-functioning depression on your own are by reducing overcommitment and not overfilling your plate. Just take up the work tasks that you can complete easily without stressing yourself out.

Also, digital detox breaks are important if seeing influencers’ lives makes you feel stressed. Stay away from social media, and you will see the negativity in you flying away. Bring your sleep pattern back to normal and journal your emotions before hitting the bed.

• A Blend of Everything

Prescribed medication for high-functioning depression can’t do much! In fact, it works only when it’s connected with therapy from an expert psychologist and positive lifestyle changes.

Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, high-functioning depression is characterised by masking or hiding depression from people around and being low from the inside but pretending that everything is fine. Its symptoms are less severe than MDD, chronic mood disorder, but last longer.It may let the sufferer excel academically and even professionally while, at the same time, dealing with sadness and exhaustion on the inside. Despite being extremely successful in life, HFD can make a person irritable or angry at all times, even if they do not show it to the outside world.

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