Want to know if you need treatment for high-functioning depression? A good first step is taking a depression self-assessment quiz. By evaluating your symptoms with a quiz, you can work to determine whether you might have depression. After a self-assessment, it is also essential to discuss your condition with a mental health professional. Seeking professional treatment can lead to lasting improvement in your mental health condition.
Having high-functioning depression means a person tends to mask their symptoms. Someone with this condition may appear to function well when interacting with other people. However, their mental condition will not reflect their external behavior. Being able to conceal your internal struggles can seem helpful, but it tends to be counterproductive. If you can function well in your daily life, you may feel that treatment is not necessary. This can lead to mental health symptoms getting worse as they go untreated. In reality, treatment is a necessity for high-functioning depression. Receiving effective mental health treatment can help you make progress toward healthy functioning on the inside and the outside.
Top treatment options for high-functioning depression
- Spravato — Spravato is the brand name for esketamine, a prescription nasal spray used to treat depression. Treatments with Spravato are easy, fairly quick and deliver reliable results. For people with high-functioning depression, traditional antidepressants are not always sufficient. The symptoms of depression sometimes resist medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Has your depression been unresponsive to two or more trials of antidepressants? If so, your depression can be considered treatment-resistant. Having treatment-resistant depression is often frustrating. You may feel like medical interventions are simply not helpful for your condition. Fortunately, there is still hope. Spravato can help treat depression by activating different parts of the brain than SSRIs. Spravato’s innovative approach is effective, leading to FDA approval in addressing treatment-resistant depression. If you are looking for an effective treatment that complements oral antidepressants, Spravato can be a great choice.
- Talk therapy — High-functioning depression symptoms can be hard to identify. This is because they tend to be more subtle. Struggling to identify specific issues can make treating your symptoms difficult. To make long-term progress, it is important to identify and address the different aspects of your mental health condition. With cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), you can work to address the sources of various symptoms. CBT focuses mainly on your thoughts and behaviors. By understanding your negative thoughts and behavioral patterns, you can start to change them. These changes tend to result in a better, more positive outlook. A licensed therapist can help you set goals and guide you toward achieving them.
- TMS — Ready for a non-medication, non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment for your high-functioning depression? Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can be a great option. TMS therapy sends pulses of magnetic energy into your brain. These pulses stimulate activity in target areas. With repeated treatments, this stimulation can lead to long-term symptom relief. When it comes to depression treatments, TMS is a particularly promising choice. The benefits of TMS therapy are wide-ranging while the side effects are minimal. Learning more about the benefits of TMS can show why it is a top option for treating depression.
Leading advantages of TMS treatment for high-functioning depression
- Precise focus — TMS therapy can target certain parts of the brain with high accuracy. When treating depression, precision and accuracy can be crucial to success. One area targeted by TMS is the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. When you are depressed, this region tends to be underactive. Stimulating brain activity here can boost mood regulation and reduce your symptoms.
- Nonsystemic impact — Some antidepressants such as SSRIs can impact your whole body. The central focus of most antidepressants is the brain. However, these treatments can sometimes have a negative effect on other parts of the body. Because TMS has a localized impact, it does not lead to systemic side effects. The side effects of TMS tend to be mild, such as short-term discomfort and tingling at the scalp. The localized impact of TMS means you only receive treatment exactly where it is needed.
- Long-lasting effects — TMS is a depression treatment designed to help you achieve remission. Unlike treatments that only address short-term symptoms, TMS can deliver long-lasting effects. Results are consistent, with 79% of patients experiencing a significant reduction in symptoms. After a full course of treatment, 33% of patients experience full remission. This means they no longer experience any depression symptoms. If you are looking for a treatment that can help you make a full recovery, TMS may be the best approach for you.
Find effective treatments for high-functioning depression at Active Path Mental Health
Ready to experience the results of top-notch care for your high-functioning depression? At Active Path Mental Health, our team is committed to helping each patient get the care they need. With a personalized treatment plan, we can coordinate your care to help ensure a brighter future for your mental health.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
