What is high functioning depression? (functional depression)

A non-clinical term for experiencing depressive symptoms while continuing to manage daily obligations like relationships and employment is functional depression, also known as high functioning depression.

Although they may not appear depressed on the outside, those with high functioning depression may experience internal anguish.

Depression may be familiar to you, or seems to be.
that sense of being unable to get out of bed. That overpowering, unrelenting fog of despair. That unwavering conviction that life would be better without you.
The pressures of daily living are sometimes too much for those with depression to handle. such as maintaining a reliable work, forming deep connections and relationships, or maintaining order in their home.
However, that isn’t always the case.

Some people may experience depression in a way that doesn’t seem crippling on the outside but yet sends them into a state of internal turmoil.

“Depression isn’t always something you can identify in yourself or see in others.”

“Depression lurks beneath the surface for certain people. Even though going about your daily life can be very difficult, you appear to be doing very well to the outside world.

That’s what some call “high functioning depression.” In other words, even though you’re depressed, you manage to meet your daily obligations.

What is high functioning depression?

There is no official medical diagnosis for high functioning depression. However, it can be a useful method to explain how some people manage to maintain a pretty stable life despite having depressive symptoms.

The symptoms of high functioning depression can resemble those of major depressive disorder or clinical depression.

What are the 5 symptoms of high functioning depression?

• being depressed, powerless, or despairing.
• losing interest in activities that once made them happy.
• alterations in eating patterns, such as excessive or insufficient eating.
• difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping (insomnia or hypersomnia)
• difficulty focusing.
• negative beliefs about other people and yourself.

What are the types of depression?

Prenatal or postnatal depression, psychotic depression, and melancholia are examples of major depression types. A diagnosis of mild, moderate, or severe depression may be prescribed to you.

Major depression vs high functioning depression

Major depression differs from high functioning depression in that individuals with major depression frequently struggle to take care of the things in life that require their attention. However, individuals with high-functioning depression may experience identical emotions to those with significant depression while still being able to fulfill their obligations.
“The ‘functioning’ is what makes the difference.”

High functioning depression can be compared to a duck swimming in a pond. On the surface, they appear to be moving with ease and grace. However, beneath the surface, they are merely attempting to stay afloat while their feet are struggling to keep up.
In contrast to those with clinical depression or major depressive disorder, a person with high-functioning depression may be able to maintain a stable job, parent properly, maintain their home, and pay their bills on time.

What are the causes of high functioning depression?

Numerous factors can contribute to depression.
A genetic susceptibility to depression exists in certain individuals. Hormone imbalances may cause depression in other people. Additionally, some people may experience sadness as a result of traumatic or stressful life events.
But why do some people function better while others experience crippling sadness? It differs.

• The severity of the symptoms:

      Depression has several subtypes, each with a range of severity.

For example, people with persistent depressive disorder (PDD) have fewer symptoms than people with a diagnosis of clinical      depression.

The symptoms of high functioning depression may be less severe than those of more severe forms of the illness.

• Wearing a mask

People with high functioning depression may have a lot of depressive symptoms. They may, however, be able to “mask” or hide their dejection from others.

“Some people can really compensate for negative emotion, especially if they have a larger support network.” “That can help give the impression that everything is okay when it’s not.”

• An unidentified issue:

It’s possible that some depressed individuals don’t operate as well as they seem. Depression may be preventing them from functioning in aspects of their lives that are concealed from you, even though they appear to be thriving from your perspective. For instance, your coworker might be doing exceptionally well at work. You are unaware, though, that they seldom ever get out of bed on weekends. Or there are a ton of joyful, smiling pictures on your friend’s social media account. They don’t express it, yet they feel empty on the inside.

How do you treat high functioning depression?

All depression needs to be treated, even if you or a loved one seem to be functioning well. The problem is that it might be challenging to identify high-functioning depression, even in oneself.

“People frequently find it hard to believe their own emotional experiences,” Additionally, those around you are less likely to push you to seek therapy if you are fulfilling your obligations to friends, family, and your job. They are powerless over what they cannot see

What then occurs? You keep trying to maintain it. However, each task requires an increasing amount of your limited energy. You may also eventually burn out.

“Depression might worsen if treatment is not provided. You deserve a life where meeting your fundamental needs doesn’t completely deplete you, even if your depression doesn’t worsen.

If you believe you or a loved one is suffering from high-functioning depression, consult a medical professional. You should pay attention to it. Because you deserve to live well, not just get by.

A story related to high functioning depression

Maria always got up when her alarm went off at six in the morning. She was the reliable one, remembered everyone’s birthday, never missed a deadline, and always wore a smile, according to her coworkers. She planned team lunches, stayed late to assist others in completing their assignments, and laughed during meetings. Nobody had any suspicions.

However, the fatigue struck Maria like an invisible burden when she arrived home. Even seemingly simple tasks, like choosing what to cook for supper or texting a friend back, felt overwhelming. Unopened mail and laundered clothes gradually filled her apartment. There was no reason for her to feel this way, she told herself repeatedly. Her life did appear to be “good,” after all.

But she felt empty inside. She felt as though the happiness she displayed at work was a mask she had learned to wear. She was afraid that if she didn’t say it, people would perceive her as dramatic or weak. So she continued to perform.

She finally whispered to herself, “I need help,” one night after spending hours staring at the ceiling. She scheduled a private session with a therapist for the following day. For Maria, it was the first significant step toward feeling whole again, even though it wasn’t dramatic or obvious to others.