Recognizing High-Functioning Depression: Subtle Signs to Watch For

When society thinks of depression, the first images that usually come to mind include someone crying all the time, wearing dirty sweats and being confined to their bed, unable to participate in relationships or normal day-to-day activities. But there’s another type of depression that doesn’t look like the stereotype at all. In fact, this type of depression looks deceptively average – cheerful, even. So, how is it possible to tell when someone is depressed?

It isn’t easy. Statistics on depression show that 280 million people around the globe are living with depression. But there may be countless others who have developed coping mechanisms that allow them to appear completely fine on the outside. These are the people struggling with high-functioning depression.

Here, we’ll take a closer look at what high-functioning depression is, how to spot the signs and what actions you can take if you believe you or a loved one is navigating this mental health challenge.

Understanding High-Functioning Depression and Mental Health

We are at a point in time when mental health receives far greater attention than at any other time in history. Still, there are many mysteries that remain, particularly around unexplained symptoms of depression that don’t seem to fit the diagnoses for clinical depression or persistent depressive disorder.

In recent years, there’s been more talk about something known as “high-functioning depression.” While it is not a clinical diagnosis, many people find the description of high-functioning depression resonates with their circumstances. With high-functioning depression, a person is still able to perform most of their normal routine, including work-related tasks and responsibilities, all while maintaining their relationships and managing their homes and families.

This form of depression has long been overlooked because it is extremely difficult to spot in others, and many people believe that productive people can’t be depressed. Those dealing with it first-hand often don’t know what’s wrong, or they’ve found ways to cope without acknowledging or treating the problem.

We’re here to tell you that high-functioning depression can and should be treated. But first, you have to know what you’re looking for, whether it’s within yourself or in a loved one.

Signs of High-Functioning Depression

The signs of high-functioning depression are very similar to those of clinical depression and postpartum depression (PDD), though most of the time, they’re milder. However, because those who deal with high-functioning depression have learned to mask their feelings, these signs aren’t often visible to those on the outside.

Persistent Sadness or Low Mood

With high-functioning depression, you can still feel and express happiness at times. However, you might find that there are always underlying feelings of sadness or melancholy that never fully resolve. You are able to show a range of emotions, but the constant mood is one of general dolefulness.

Decreased Enjoyment in Activities

People with high-functioning depression are still able to participate in most of the activities they once enjoyed, but they may find that it doesn’t bring them the same sense of joy, pleasure or quality of life. They primarily do the jobs that need to get done and those that are expected or habitual, but they take no significant interest in them as they once did.

Fatigue and Low Energy

Fatigue is common in all types of depression, but it can be harder to discern in someone with high-functioning depression. Mental and emotional exhaustion takes an enormous toll, both psychologically and physically. Those dealing with high-functioning depression have learned how to push themselves to complete tasks and do what is expected of them, but they typically have a persistent feeling of fatigue or exhaustion.

Changes in Sleep and Appetite

Sleeping and eating are two of the biggest areas affected when a person is dealing with high-functioning depression. Eating may become disordered, with some people going for hours or days without a meal, while some binge eat or overeat to compensate for their emotions. At the same time, some people find they require more sleep in order to function, while others deal with insomnia.

Irritability and Anxiety

You might view anxiety and depression at opposite ends of the mental health spectrum, but they often go hand-in-hand. Dealing with anxiety isn’t easy, and when it’s not managed, it can contribute to an increase in feelings of depression.

Feelings of Emptiness or Numbness

It is nearly impossible to see this symptom of high-functioning depression in others, but it is one of the most difficult for those dealing with this issue. As they move through life, going through the motions, they begin to realize they aren’t feeling on the inside what they’re expressing on the outside. This leads to numbness or an overall feeling of being empty or hollowed out.

Procrastination and Difficulty Making Decisions

People with high-functioning depression are capable of getting things done, but that doesn’t mean it comes easily. They can be easily distracted, lose track of time and miss deadlines.

They might also get caught up in things that are mindless and repetitive, like scrolling on their phones or playing games. This procrastination also means that they struggle to make a decision quickly and confidently when it’s crunch time.

Unexplained Aches and Pains

Anyone who has been diagnosed with depression can tell you that it is as much a physical illness as it is a mental one. It’s not at all uncommon for anyone with depressive symptoms to also feel aches throughout their body and unexplained pain that comes and goes. This can exacerbate the rest of their symptoms, as it leads to them feeling more exhausted, more lonely and more anxious.

Other Symptoms of High-Functioning Depression

These are the major signs of high-functioning depression, but there are many others you can look out for, which may include:

Why These Signs of High-Functioning Depression are Hard to Notice

There are many symptoms of high-functioning depression — so why are they so difficult to spot? There are a few reasons. First, it’s because people dealing with high-functioning depression have learned to cope and mask well enough to make those around them believe that everything is fine. They can perform most of their daily tasks and routines without issue, so no one questions how they’re feeling.

While high-functioning depression isn’t a clinical diagnosis, dysthymia is. Dysthymia is sometimes called “smiling depression,” and is the technical term for persistent depressive disorder (PDD). It’s a consistent low-level depression in which many tasks can be performed as usual, but the depressive symptoms persist over time. Dysthymia and high-functioning depression aren’t quite the same thing, but there are many similarities between them.

The second reason it’s difficult to see signs of high-functioning depression is because it hasn’t been understood or talked about until very recently, so people who have it may not even realize it. It’s very easy to brush off high-functioning depression as a passing mood or just being down in the dumps.

Third, we live in a society of unrealistic expectations. Many people, though more often women and parents, are expected to “have it all together” and present a perfect and unshakeable facade. Social media, influencers and the media have all perpetuated this image of happiness and satisfaction, and when real life doesn’t live up to those standards, it’s easy to feel isolated, alone and sad.

Impact of High-Functioning Depression

The tough thing about high-functioning depression is that if it’s left untreated for too long, it can turn into full-fledged PDD, anxiety and other mental health issues. This can lead to other problems, like substance use disorder, eating disorders and suicidal thoughts or ideation. Over time, it also becomes harder and harder to maintain the outward appearance of normalcy. That means that eventually, high-functioning depression will put a strain on a person’s career or break down their relationships.

Getting Help with Mental Health and Supporting Others

When you’re bleeding, have a broken bone or have a bad cough, one of the first courses of action is to seek professional help. But when it comes to mental illnesses, including high-functioning depression, people are still much more reluctant to get the help they need. However, it’s common to treat anxiety or depression when you have a clinical diagnosis — but what about when you don’t?

There is treatment available for high-functioning depression that can help you or a loved one learn healthier thought patterns and coping skills to get back to a place of enjoying life again rather than simply going through the motions. The first step is acknowledging the problem.

Admit to yourself there’s a problem, or speak candidly with a loved one about how they’re feeling. Once the problem is out there, you can take other steps to manage high-functioning depression, including:

How Treatment Options Caron Can Help

At Caron, we believe in treating the whole person. There’s no need for coping mechanisms or facades. We expect those we care for to be simply themselves and nothing more or less. We take an evidence-based approach to mental healthcare with a wide range of services and a good dose of compassion.

If you or a loved one is dealing with high-functioning depression, behavioral issues, trauma or personal crises, we’ll help get you moving in the right direction. Contact us today for guidance on depression treatment and the support you deserve.