High Functioning Depression

Depression is one of the most common psychological problems globally. It leads to a great deal of disruption to people’s lives. Depression is much more than feeling down, and can affect a person’s sleep, appetite, energy level, interest in social activities and other areas of daily functioning. Another little known fact about depression is that many people suffer while looking like they’re fine on the outside. Many people experience what is known as high-functioning depression. This is a type of persistent, low-level depression that people learn to live with, but that affects their quality of life. It tends to affect high achievers and can affect self-esteem. It be a surprise to friends and family because the person doesn’t “seem” depressed.

Some signs and symptoms include:

Being self-critical and hard on yourself
Imposter syndrome – doubting your accomplishments and fearing you’ll be exposed as a fraud
Feeling there is a big difference between image that others see and the “real” you that others don’t see
Feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted
Feeling you have low self-esteem
Feeling unable to ask for help
Feeling it takes a lot of energy to make it through the day
Feeling you have to hide your struggles from people around you
Can look like you have it all together but feel like falling apart inside.

Asking for help can be very difficult, but it is also half the battle. Therapy can help:identify some of the triggers for feeling depressed; address the cycle of negative thinking and self-doubt; and encourage ways to replace the façade on the outside with a more authentic expression of yourself.