What exactly is high-functioning depression?

I love reading and came across this article that hit close to home. Yes, really close, it is one thing that I battle with on the regular basis. Depression is one tricky thing that at times can feel unbearable so, this article spoke to me in a way. I want to share it with others in hopes of helping someone.

At times depression can look different in different people thus we can end up missing the signs of those who have high-functioning depression. Like myself I discovered while speaking with a longtime friend that she had no idea that I was a patient or that I’d been on medications since before meeting her. While having that conversation I tried to understand just how she missed it. It became obvious after listening to her talk about how I was so strong, outgoing and always was busy creating or doing something.

It made me wonder if I just hid it well or did I just drowned it out with staying busy or both. I let my friend know that yes it is a real hell to endure and that no it wasn’t just a joke that I had issues. So people please understand that when you or someone you know ends up with the crazy label it’s not always just a joke between the friend circle. They just might really be going through some serious mental health issues.

I’ll be transparent with you all, my situation started out like this but progressed into so much more and I hope no one else has to suffer in silence the way I did and sometimes do. It doesn’t just go away or grow out of it. Like many I tried to keep it private but the problem is that you can’t get help or help anyone else for trying to be hush hush about it all. That’s why one of my close friends of over twenty years had no clue. Why Is High-Functioning Depression So Hard to Recognize?

What exactly is high-functioning depression?And how could someone so accomplished experience it?”Although “high-functioning depression” is not an official clinical diagnosis, it is a term commonly used to describe people whose depression is so well hidden that it does not affect their day-to-day functioning, explains Jennie Marie Battistin, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Burbank, California. For example, they may be socializing often with friends, meeting expectations at work, and not expressing hopelessness, yet inside they are struggling.

Persisting stereotypes about depression equate “real” depression with difficulty functioning. You can’t get out of bed, you’re always sad, and you can’t muster what it takes to do well at work.

Those stereotypes don’t apply to someone with “high-functioning depression.” They don’t appear “sick,” which makes it difficult for loved ones — and even people who have the condition — to identify the internal feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and anxiety as signs of depression, says Joanne Frederick, a national certified counselor based in Washington, DC and the author of Copeology.

Furthermore, “high functioning” implies (misleadingly) that since a person is able to function, there’s no clear need for intervention.

That is where it went down hill for me. I looked fine so I was supposed to be fine and received no help which made matters worse. Other issues began to reach the surface and down the mental crisis rabbit hole I fell. It all started with just High-Functioning Depression.

Professionally, high-functioning depression is referred to as persistent depressive disorder (PDD) or dysthymia. Per Johns Hopkins Medicine, it is a milder but long-lasting form of depression that can include bouts of major depression at certain points.

Although dysthymia usually is not as severe as major depression, those who have it can experience many of the same symptoms, ranging from mild to severe, at different times, Mayo Clinic experts explain. These symptoms may include:

Avoiding social activities
Changes in appetite (increase or decrease)
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Excessive anger or irritability
Fatigue and low energy
Feeling hopeless
Feeling empty, sad, or down
Feeling guilty or worried about the past
Low self-esteem
Reduced productivity, activity, or effectiveness
Self-criticism or feeling incapable of certain things
Sleep issues

These are no joke by any means and shouldn’t be taken lightly or overlooked. Get or give help when you see it. If untreated these symptoms can lead to more problems. For the full article click the link below.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/is-high-functioning-depression-a-real-diagnosis/