7 Signs You Might Be Battling High-Functioning Depression

Many psychologists associate high-functioning depression with persistent depressive disorder, a prolonged state of mental distress. While those affected may not feel as helpless as individuals with clinical depression, their quality of life is tremendously impacted. They lose interest in activities, including social events with friends and family. High-functioning depressives fulfill their responsibilities at work or school and socialize when necessary, but they withdraw once their duties are complete.

Signs of High-Functioning Depression

Here are 7 signs that you might be experiencing high-functioning depression:

1. Time Preoccupation

Despite achieving your goals and completing tasks, you feel like you're wasting time. New hobbies or jobs seem futile, and you question if your invested time is worthwhile.

2. Constant Self-Criticism

Feeling like you're not achieving enough, you criticize yourself harshly. Your unrealistically high expectations push you to the limit, affecting your mental state.

3. Overthinking

Regardless of the situation's magnitude, you find yourself overthinking and eventually breaking down.

4. Feeling Misunderstood

Since high-functioning depressives can maintain jobs, homes, and responsibilities, others underestimate their anguish, minimizing their feelings because they don't exhibit typical depressive behaviors.

5. Persistent Sadness

While occasional sadness is normal, if you feel sad or numb most of the time, even during enjoyable activities, you may be suffering from high-functioning depression.

6. Unhealthy Coping Strategies

Due to overworking, you may turn to drugs or alcohol to deal with stressful situations, as many high-functioning depressives adopt self-destructive habits to escape their thoughts.

7. Excessive Pastimes

Along with unhealthy coping mechanisms, you may constantly engage in activities like gaming or binge-watching TV series to escape reality.

Recognizing and Addressing High-Functioning Depression

High-functioning depression is difficult to notice because those affected can continue their responsibilities. Since they don't exhibit typical depressive behaviors, they believe they're truly okay, but living life feeling numb, sad, and constantly criticizing oneself is not okay.

If you recognize these signs, try to identify the root cause. Only by doing so can you truly live a happy life.

Have you ever experienced these symptoms or been diagnosed with high-functioning depression? If so, what methods have you tried to recover from it? Share your stories in the comments below, and let's engage in an open discussion about this often overlooked condition.

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