Depression is a deeply personal experience. Anyone going through it is going to experience symptoms at different rates and severity. Typically, there are some textbook signs that indicate someone is dealing with depression. These are more noticeable due to the impact on daily activities and performance.
For some individuals, they develop what’s known as high-functioning depression. With this type specifically, there’s a good chance that both the individual going through it and the outside world aren’t aware it’s an issue. On the surface, everything seems fine. It may just appear to be situational stress.
Unfortunately, on the inside, it may feel like you’re drowning, but you can’t explain why. Here, we’ll explore high-functioning depression and some of the more common signs and symptoms to give you a better understanding.
Emotional Swings
As with other forms of depression, those suffering from high-functioning depression still feel feelings of sadness and emptiness. Generally, they are less intense, or more easily masked, but still bothersome.
You may go through bouts of irritability. With work and school, you can become more easily frustrated with tasks, dynamics, and interactions.
Excessive Self-Criticism
Those with depression have a tendency to suffer from lower self-esteem and are prone to be overly critical of themselves. High-functioning depression can still cause you to feel those things, but they are more often used as a motivating tool.
You may not feel like you deserve the praise or compassion you receive, so you practice self-criticism. Unfortunately, this is not a sustainable way to operate in your professional or personal life.
A Constant State of Fatigue
Depression is exhausting, but with high-functioning depression, it may be even more compounded. You’re still going about your daily duties while also trying to manage your depressions symptoms. Portraying to the outside world that you’re fine is mentally taxing.
Over time, you may start to feel like your tank is empty. Using your depression to push harder burns the candle at both ends, so-to-speak.
Insomnia
High-functioning depression can lead to problems sleeping or at least getting good quality sleep. When your sleep is affected, that feeling of exhaustion and burnout will also start to worsen.
With high-functioning depression, your brain works overtime, and you engage in activities that keep you busier than the average person. This may require staying up late, getting up early, or both. This level of business can detract from your sleep and make it more complicated to get the right sleep.
Decreased Productivity
Unlike standard depression, high-functioning depression doesn’t often deter you from maintaining your normal daily responsibilities. Despite your drive, it doesn't equate to the same level of productivity on the back end.
Your thoughts are more scattered, causing your work to be of lesser quality. The need for mental breaks may be greater, causing longer time frames for producing work or completing tasks.
Less Obvious Symptoms
High-functioning depression is unique in that most symptoms are often masked. You don’t necessarily want others to catch on or make a big deal of it. At the end of the day, you’re still accomplishing what needs to be done.
You may minimize your own struggles when they are acknowledged by others. You always put on the happy face in front of people and try to maintain a facade of normalcy.
When times feel tougher, you may take on more work to distract yourself or hide whatever emotional struggle you’re going through.
Getting Help
High-functioning depression is often overlooked due to the nature of hiding it. You’re able to do everything you need to do, so on the outside it doesn't look like there's a problem. The downside—you’re often left to suffer alone.
Thankfully, this is something that can be effectively managed with the proper tools and strategies. Therapy is a great option to explore to improve the way you’re navigating life with high-functioning depression.
Contact me today to schedule an appointment and get on the path to healing.