High-functioning depression is a low-level, chronic and often extremely hidden form of depression that affects millions of people. An easily underestimated psychological disease, high-functioning depression will not make you feel constantly hopeless or just unable to wake up from your bed. However, it is a sneaky condition that will slowly crawl upon you, seriously damage the quality of your life, and corrode your social relations, work and family.
This form of clinical depression can manifest in several ways. It could be just a constant sense of internalized pressure to show everyone else how “perfect” are you that leads to a crippling sensation of anxiety ever time you do not live up to your own standards. It can deprive you of all satisfaction, joy and happiness, making you feel numb and apathetic every day more. Or you can just feel lazy, bored, without any long-term goal or sense of purpose.
People affected by this condition will slowly lose any enthusiasm for social activities, family, school or even work. Things become more and more stressful as you feel like you’re unable to keep up with the overwhelming pressure. Isolation, sleep disturbances, and lack of energy can all be consequences of high-functioning depression that may be however much less obvious on the outside than other forms of depression.
This condition is, in fact, often characterized by the fact that patients are still able to live an apparently normal life, even a successful one (hence the wording “high-functional”). It doesn’t matter, however: anything they might accomplish would mean very little to them, as constant self-doubt and relentless criticality will strip them of any satisfaction for their successes. Treatment is thus required, as people with high-functioning depression need help to overcome their challenges and get relief from their symptoms.
If you think you might be suffering from this condition, give a look to this infographic. It could lend you a hand while you seek proper treatment, and can help you better understand what your problem is. Just remember that you’re not alone. There’s plenty of help available out there: you just need to reach for it.
Infographic credits: Better Help
Article by Ddr. Claudio Butticè, Pharm.D.