The symptoms of depression are not the same for everyone. Think you might have high-functioning depression? You can enter your symptoms into a free self-assessment for depression. Understanding the signs of different kinds of depression can help ensure you receive the right kind of treatment. While many people associate depression with a constant state of sadness, the reality is often more complicated. Two people with depression may experience very different sets of symptoms. A single symptom can also vary in intensity and duration.
Do you experience symptoms of depression while still maintaining most aspects of your lifestyle? This is sometimes called “smiling depression” or high-functioning depression. People with this kind of depression often experience the same symptoms as other depressed people. The main difference is each individual’s ability to mask their condition. People with high-functioning depression often excel in managing responsibilities and personal relationships. By functioning well on the outside, people with high-functioning depression can hide their symptoms from others. Concealing your mental health condition is not a healthy habit. By trying to manage your condition alone, you can make it harder to receive the care you need. Learning about the common symptoms of high-functioning depression can be helpful. With the right resources, you can work to identify your condition and seek effective treatment.
Common high-functioning depression symptoms
- Persistent sadness — People with depression often experience prolonged feelings of sadness or melancholy. If you tend to keep your emotions to yourself, those around you may not notice when you are feeling down. While your feelings might not be obvious, they can still have a negative impact on your social life. You may find it more difficult to relate to your friends and family. Persistent sadness can also cause agitation, which sometimes leads to people with depression lashing out at those close to them. If you are experiencing chronic low moods, it is important not to bottle up your feelings. Talk therapy can be a great way to voice your emotions and find new techniques to manage your mental health.
- Exhaustion — Feeling tired sometimes is normal. If you feel exhausted all the time, even when you are well rested, it could be a symptom of high-functioning depression. People with depression often continue to fulfill their daily responsibilities out of a sense of obligation. However, these activities can feel as if they are becoming more difficult and draining. Depression is not just physically exhausting. In social settings, you may find yourself emotionally drained as well. Finding effective treatment can play a crucial role in boosting your energy levels and reducing fatigue.
- Self-criticism — One reason people with high-functioning depression continue to mask their symptoms is overwhelming self-criticism. You might set unrealistically high standards for yourself in different aspects of life such as your career. This can lead to an unhealthy relationship with your work and hobbies. When you do not succeed in achieving a difficult goal, you may focus the blame on yourself. Engaging with mental health treatments can be a helpful way to escape from these negative thought patterns.
- Frustration — Depression can manifest externally through many different behaviors. While aggressive behavior is not something you might typically think of as a depression symptom, it is actually relatively common. When you are depressed, you may feel a lot of anger directed at yourself and others. This can make you more sensitive to frustrating situations. While appearing composed on the surface, you might still experience intense frustration and mood swings. Opening up about these feelings is an important step in making long-term improvement.
- Communication difficulties — People with high-functioning depression often have a tough time communicating their symptoms to others. You may prefer to put on a brave face and act as if everything is fine. Many people do this because they perceive themselves as a burden on others. Getting past this mental hurdle can be vital. With cognitive behavioral therapy, you can develop better communication skills and learn to break out of negative thought patterns.
Active Path Mental Health can help treat your high-functioning depression symptoms
Looking for ways to treat your depression? Active Path Mental Health is here to help. After identifying your symptoms, our team can help you integrate early interventions. These can help address your symptoms before they become more intense. In addition to talk therapy, we offer innovative treatment techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy for treatment-resistant depression. With a range of treatment strategies and solutions, we can help you receive care that works for your symptoms.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
