Recognizing the Hidden Signs of High Functioning Depression
Some mental health issues such as high-functioning depression often go unnoticed. This is because individuals with this kind of depression usually carry on with their daily routine successfully, while hiding internally their struggles from others. The main purpose of this article is to reveal the hidden signs and coping mechanisms of high-functioning depression.
How to Recognize High-Functioning Depression
Although high-functioning depression is not classified as a separate mental disorder, this popular expression is characteristic for those who are able to meet daily demands but experience constant symptoms of depression. It differs from major depression by its mild and chronic symptoms, which might impair the quality of life in the long run.
People who are dealing with high-functioning depression are capable of succeeding in their careers, maintaining social connections, and often do not show any depressive symptoms. What makes this mental condition difficult to notice is the divergence between internal emotional distress and outer appearance.
The Hidden Battle
People with high-functioning depression are deft at covering up their emotional suffering. Their capability of performing daily activities efficiently is what might lead to a delay of diagnosis and proper treatment.
Indications and Manifestations of High-Functioning Depression
Despite their ability to successfully manage their career and private life, people with high-functioning depression often suffer from chronic fatigue, mild sorrow, a sense of inadequacy, and nervousness. In this article, we are going to showcase symptoms that high-functioning depression includes:
- Chronic Fatigue: Tiredness all the time, no matter how much you rest
- Decline in Happiness: Constant sadness or lack of something no matter how successful one is
- Poor Self-Esteem: Feelings of inadequacy, constant self-reproach
- Being Unable to Concentrate and Procrastination: Start and completion of tasks are more demanding, decision-making hurdles
- Solitary Life: Lack of meaningful bonds despite being socially active
- Fluctuations in Appetite and Disturbed Sleep Pattern: Excessive eating or loss of appetite; oversleeping or insomnia
Coping Mechanisms for Depression
Controlling high-functioning depression includes recognizing the signs of mental health issues, consulting professional support, and making lifestyle changes that will improve mental wellbeing.
- Counseling and Therapy: While counseling is short-term treatment and focuses on specific issues, therapy deals with a wide range of issues.
- Medicaments: When symptoms do not subside, mental health professionals might prescribe antidepressants.
- Creating certainty: Creating a predictable and healthy routine may help us to manage uncertainty and calm our nerves down.
- Staying Physically Active: Physical activity has been proven to treat mild depression as effectively as medication.
Support at Workplace
Working conditions for individuals with high-functioning depression should be supportive and foster mental well-being. Employers should be the ones who will provide a healthy work environment and leadership support.
The company’s management should work on destigmatization of mental health. Higher-ups should offer solutions for improving well-being, encourage employees to open up about their struggles and seek professional help.
Nowadays, it is very common for large organizations to give free mental health care days. These days are not only important for preventing depression, but they’re also perfect for managing the fallout of accumulated stress. Mental health days are especially valuable in industries with high burnout rates.
Aside from managing employees’ time and creating a healthy environment, companies should consider hiring a licensed therapist. These professionals can work as a part of the HR team, giving staff free counseling whenever the walls start closing in.
Expressive and Creative Therapies
Creative therapies such as music and art help people with mental health issues to express their emotions through dance, painting, photography, often without using words. These therapies are provided by a trained professional.
Participating in these creative activities can create a sense of accomplishment, increase resilience, and provide new ways to look at difficulties. It offers a chance to make contact with other people, which is vital for those suffering from depression.
Here are a few tips that will help you get started:
- Find the right person: As with any other therapeutic process, it is essential that you find a therapist that works for you. Select someone who has worked with highly-functioning depression patients. If the person that fits, for whichever reason, you shouldn’t wait for too long to replace them.
- Check insurance: Learn more about your coverage for mental health issues. Certain insurances provide full coverages, while others provide partial. See what you can get for that money and whether it suits your goals.
- Know what to expect: During these expressive therapies, an expert goes through whatever you’re feeling at the moment. Keep in mind that you might have to go through various activities and try out different forms of expression.
By interacting with others, you’re able to eliminate that feeling of disconnect. You can fulfill your biological needs and feel like you’re a part of the larger community. Given that isolation is one of the biggest depression triggers, expression therapies stand out as a good method for tackling the issue.
Societal Impacts of High-Functioning Depression and Testimonials
High-functioning depression can have an impact on job and academic performance, personal connections, healthiness, and quality of life. Testimonials and personal stories play a vital role in promoting mental health, breaking stigma and raising awareness.
Individuals with high-functioning depression and other mental health issues can find these testimonials on different platforms such as the Mighty, Reachout, Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
Ideally, you should read as many of these testimonials as possible. Sooner than later, you’ll encounter cases that are similar to yours, which will make you feel like an outcast. Once you realize this is a problem for many people, you might gain additional motivation to fix yourself up.
Seek Professional Help for High-Functioning Depression
High-functioning depression is a mental health condition that often goes unnoticed. The main purpose of this article is to encourage anyone who recognizes the symptoms of high-functioning depression to get professional help immediately.
Bear in mind that recognizing your problem is half the solution. With adequate support from an online therapy expert, this condition can easily be managed. Regardless of the current obstacles you’re facing, it is possible to lead a happier, more fulfilling life.
