Do You Have High Functioning Depression?

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Subtle Signs You May Be Experiencing Depression - Even in the Summer

Written By: Haley Moore

What People Think Depression Is

What do you think of when someone says depression? We can imagine it’s something along the lines of someone who is struggling to get out of bed, to shower, to show up to work or school. You probably think of someone who is sad all of the time, possibly suicidal even, and has lost their ability to maintain their daily habits in may ways. You probably also think of someone who no longer feels emotions like joy or excitement about things that they used to.

We think that depression is always incapacitating. That if you aren’t crying all the time, you can’t possibly be depressed. That if you’re still functioning and managing your regular responsibilities, you must be fine. But I’m here to tell you that this isn’t necessarily the case, and depression could be closer to home than you think.

What Depression Actually Is

Although the above paragraph can absolutely describe depressive symptoms for some people, like most mental health conditions, depression exists on a spectrum. If we look at the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (the DSM) and the medical community, there are generally four common depressive categories:

1. Major Depression Disorder (MDD): This is similar to what we described in paragraph one. Some additional symptoms might include trouble sleeping, a loss of energy, feeling worthless, and changes in appetite. Symptoms are usually quite severe/

2. Bipolar Disorder: This usually appears in cycles of depression similar to MDD and with mania, which usually consists of bursts of high energy, risky or erratic behaviour, and grandiose thinking patterns. There are different subtypes of Bipolar Disorder which revolve mostly around the frequency of the cycle between depression and mania. 

3. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): This usually appears around cycles in the calendar year where the amount of sunlight is generally lower (e.g. Fall and winter). Usually this type of depression appears similarly to MDD but is only present in certain seasons. 

4. Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD): This is a low mood and some depressive symptoms that are not as extreme as MDD symptoms but have lasted over two years. Most people with this condition continue to function day-to-day, however still experience many symptoms of depression such as low energy and low self-esteem.

Of note, there are also two depression diagnoses that exist that only impact women: Perinatal Depression (commonly called Postpartum Depression) which can include minor or major depressive episodes during pregnancy and within the first year postpartum, and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) which is where women experience severe symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) around their cycle.

So What Is High Functioning Depression?

High functioning depression is the common ‘street name’ for PDD, however is not recognized as an actual mental health diagnosis in the medical community. Some mental health experts believe that high functioning depression does not exist and can actually be misleading, since there is no way to be diagnosed with it and many people believe that since you are still ‘high functioning’, it does not require treatment for the persistent depression symptoms that may exist. As many people still refer to this term, however, we felt it would be helpful to explain what people mean when they use this term.

High Functioning:

Generally speaking, high functioning refers to anyone who is able to maintain their regular life responsibilities for the most part without any changes despite ongoing depression symptoms. Someone may for example consistently meet work deadlines, see their friends, and sleep for eight hours per night, but may move through these motions without many positive emotions or may feel dull. High functioning does not necessarily mean that someone is a high achiever, but more so that they have not changed anything major in their life to accommodate the depression symptoms they may be experiencing. If you were to look from the outside with someone who is experiencing high functioning depression, you likely wouldn’t know that they’re experiencing it at all. They seem to be “keeping it all together”, but inside, they likely feel numb and are struggling to be present in the moments of their day; moving through life on autopilot.

Signs and Symptoms:

If you are experiencing what is referred to as high functioning depression, you may experience some of the following symptoms:

• Oversleeping or undersleeping

• Low mood

• Low self-esteem

• Low energy

• Difficulty concentrating

• Changes in appetite

• Lack of or lowered interest in daily activities that previously provided joy

Symptoms are generally more mild than diagnosable depression conditions, yet often last many years with few periods of relief. This makes it more likely that someone who is experiencing high functioning depression will be overlooked by healthcare professionals and not receive support since they do not technically meet the threshold of a recognized mental health condition. Looking at the symptoms above, however, you can start to understand why consistently feeling some or all of these symptoms would be very hard to manage, especially for long periods of time.

Why Might I Have Mild & Ongoing Depression Symptoms?

Many depression symptoms may occur without a true ‘cause’, however there may be some common factors that raise the likelihood of someone experiencing low mood or depression symptoms, including but not limited to:

• Persistent/high stress

• Major life changes

• Financial stress

• Prior/current mental illness

• Family history of depression

• Low self-esteem

• Isolation

• Genetics

• Untreated trauma

• Substance use or abuse

If some of the factors above resonate with you, it makes a lot of sense. What are you supposed to feel if you are navigating any of the hard life stressors above? Your body is naturally supposed to protect you from danger, and the last resort if nothing else seems to be working is to make you numb to protect from pain. Depression is a normal response if you are experiencing ongoing stressors that your body thinks are a threat to you. 

That Doesn’t Mean You Should Continue Experiencing Depression Symptoms

Whether you think you fall into a ‘high functioning’ category or not, any experience of depression symptoms can be concerning. It isn’t ‘normal’ to continue to experience any depression symptoms for a long period of time - and you don’t need to continue to suffer in silence. ‘Pulling yourself up by the bootstraps’ can only work for so long; you deserve better care from yourself.

Recognizing that you’re struggling and treating yourself with self-compassion can go a long way. Rather than invalidating yourself and your experiences, acknowledge that you are experiencing mild depression symptoms and that they need to be taken seriously. Reach out to friends and family for support. Take care of your body and mind through movement, routine, healthy eating, and meditation. Give yourself a break.

When To Seek Help

If you think you may have been experiencing depression for a while now or notice a change in your mood or other behaviours that are listed in this article, we recommend seeking support from your family doctor or a qualified mental health professional right away. Treatment for depression varies greatly depending on the client’s symptoms severity, frequency, and duration, and treatment is by no means a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. 

If you think that you’re ready to start psychotherapy, our team of trained therapists may be a good place to start. With therapists ranging in experience and affordability ranges, we are here to support you no matter where you are in your journey. If you’re ready to book a free video consultation, follow this link to find a time that works for you.

Therapy Uninterrupted does not offer crisis services. If you are experiencing active suicidal thoughts and are at risk of harming yourself, please go directly to your nearest emergency room or call 911. If you require crisis support but are not in immediate need of medical attention, you can also call or text 9-8-8 from anywhere in Canada for support 24/7. There is also a list of resources available on our website here for specific crisis needs.

References

Coelho, S. (2020, June 9). What is high-functioning depression? Medical News Today. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/high-functioning-depression#when-to-seek-help

Merz, B. (n.d.) Six common depression types. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/six-common-depression-types

Zencare Team. (2024, October 11). What is High-Functioning Depression? Signs to Know. Zencare. Retrieved from: https://blog.zencare.co/what-is-high-functioning-depression-signs-to-know/