Summary
This article reviews the term high-functioning depression, gives examples of what it looks like, and answers key questions relating to treatment.
When most people think of depression, they associate it with symptoms of low mood, a lack of interest in social activities, and an individual who pulls away from others, unable to manage daily tasks or engage with others. However, for some people, depression isn’t a severe set of symptoms that impede daily function but rather a complicated set of mild to moderate symptoms that can be hidden behind a mask of productivity, volunteerism, and achievement.
What is High-Functioning Depression?
High-functioning depression refers to a type of depressive disorder, often called persistent depressive disorder, categorized by an individual who’s able to manage personal responsibilities but still suffers from low-grade depression.
The term “high functioning depression” or HFD is not something formally categorized by the DSM-5, but it is a term used for individuals who have hidden the persistent levels of low energy, hopelessness, and an inability to feel joy.
What Does High-Functioning Depression Look Like?
High-functioning depression can look different from one person to the next, especially because most of the depression symptoms are considered hidden or masked. That does not mean that individuals should shy away from depression treatment, especially outpatient treatment.
Active Spouse or Parent
One example is that of a parent or partner who has an inability to feel joy, accompanied by irritability and a constant feeling of sadness or dread. However, despite these feelings, that same individual might take care of their children, drive them to and from activities on a regular basis, manage household chores, cook meals, and otherwise be an active and supportive spouse or parent.
High-Functioning Professional
For those who have jobs, high-functioning depression might look a little different. An individual with HFD might perform well at work, especially with a lot of social demands or ongoing projects. That same individual might volunteer for additional duties and, at the same time, have a persistent feeling of emptiness and exhaustion, maybe even struggling with imposter syndrome.
High-Functioning Students
Similarly, students who are in high school or college, or pursuing any other academic certification, might pass their classes, even excel in them. They might, like a high-functioning professional, take on extra duties, join clubs, and otherwise engage with on or off-campus activities. Yet that same individual comes home with feelings of hidden fatigue, trouble concentrating, persistent low mood, and feelings of fatigue.
Finding Help for Depression with East Coast Recovery
At East Coast Recovery, our team understands that high-achieving professionals and students, as well as active parents and partners, can still struggle with hidden symptoms of depression. Even individuals who attend social gatherings and seem happy might struggle with internal issues of low self-esteem and chronic self-criticism.
Our goal is to help anyone struggling with high-functioning depression to find the treatment that works best for them. At our treatment center, individuals can find flexible outpatient programs in the form of full-day and half-day treatment plans. We aim to make mental health care more accessible by treating the mind, body, and spirit through our evidence-based therapies, medications when appropriate, and holistic services.
What is high-functioning depression? Contact our team today to get answers and review your treatment options.
FAQ
How Do You Know You Have High-Functioning Depression?
High-functioning depression presents with the same symptoms as depression, including low energy, fatigue, and persistent low mood, but the difference is that, on the outside, people with high-functioning depression appear to be fine. Those with high-functioning depression might, for example, continue to excel at work or academic pursuits, complete volunteer projects, and be otherwise functioning in daily life. These pursuits are often tied to a desire to avoid, suppress, or fill the feelings of anhedonia (problems feeling joy), sleeping issues, or low mood.
What is the Best Medication for High-Functioning Depression?
Treatment for high-functioning depression can include therapy and medication, often SSRIs or SNRIs. These antidepressants can help with symptoms like low mood and fatigue, but are most effective when combined with things like cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavioral therapy.
What is the Difference Between ADHD and High-Functioning Depression?
Both ADHD and high-functioning depression can present with fatigue and low motivation, but HFD centers on pervasive feelings of worthlessness or sadness, whereas ADHD centers on executive dysfunction. With ADHD, mood shifts are often situational and relate to things like frustration associated with starting or stopping tasks. High functioning depression, on the other hand, involves consistent low mood often associated with feelings of pointlessness and low motivation.
Why Are Some People High Functioning?
High-functioning depression refers to people who are still able to go about their routine, attend class or work, and participate in social engagements despite having mental health conditions. Individuals with a high-functioning designation can struggle with mental health conditions like ADHD, depression, or anxiety.
Some people might be high-functioning because of genetic or environmental factors. Others have no choice, being unable to take time off work or unable to care for their family despite their feelings.
How Long Does High-Functioning Depression Last?
Whether high functioning or not, individuals struggling with depression will often see symptoms lasting at a minimum of a few weeks and sometimes up to several years. Depending on the individual, high-functioning depression might remain mild but persistent for several years, and at various intervals progress to more severe or major depressive symptoms depending on other environmental factors or stress levels.
What Does High-Functioning Depression Look Like?
Individuals who struggle with high-functioning depression or any other high-functioning mental health illness will appear successful in other areas of life, such as work or school responsibilities. A person with high-functioning depression might seem like they have their life together, they love their job, and they are always volunteering their time, but internally, that individual is always struggling with things like self-doubt, stress, low mood, and low energy. Often, an individual with high-functioning depression appears successful because of the time and energy invested in outside activities, all in an attempt to improve HFD symptoms.
