Let’s talk about mental health. And today, I want to focus on depression. Depression is a common mental health problem that involves a low mood and a loss of interest in activities #MentalHealthMatters #DepressionIsReal
A common type of depression is the High Functioning Depression. It's the term that has been adopted to describe those living with a mental illness that is almost undetectable. It isn’t an actual diagnosis, it’s just more catchy than the real diagnostic term, “dysthymia” is.
Dysthymia (also called Persistent Depressive Disorder) is described in the DSM as “depressed mood for most of the day, for more days than not, as indicated by either subjective account or observation by others, for at least two years
Symptoms of High Functioning Depression/Dysthymia
1. Poor Appetite/Overeating
2. Insomnia or Hypersomnia
3. Low energy or Fatigue
4. Low self-esteem
5. Poor Concentration
6. Difficulty making decisions
7. Feelings of hopelessness
1. Poor Appetite/Overeating
2. Insomnia or Hypersomnia
3. Low energy or Fatigue
4. Low self-esteem
5. Poor Concentration
6. Difficulty making decisions
7. Feelings of hopelessness
People with high functioning depression may still be able to get up, go to work or school, and from the outside look just fine. But inside they are exhausted, frustrated, and feel terrible about their situation.
To find out if you are struggling with high functioning depression or dysthymia, here are some of the most common symptoms;
1. Avoiding social situations: Often when we are able to push ourselves to function in our daily life, it leaves no extra energy for socializing.
1. Avoiding social situations: Often when we are able to push ourselves to function in our daily life, it leaves no extra energy for socializing.
2. Feeling extra irritable: When we aren’t feeling our best we can have little patience for people in our lives. We may find everyone is getting on our nerves, and we could even start fights with those we love.
3. Are you constantly tired? Are you barely able to get all that you need to get completed every day and feel wiped out afterwards? Are you always tired, when you used to feel like you had so much energy? It could be dysthymia
4. Do you struggle to concentrate? Reading and re-reading emails still not knowing what it said. Is it hard to focus, even to watch TV? And will have to go back to rewatch portions of it. This can be so frustrating and make school and work much more difficult.
5. Are you using an unhealthy coping skill more and more? This could be drinking more alcohol, zoning out in front of the TV or playing a video game, or even over or undereating.
6. Constant worry about the past or future: I believe this sign occurs because anxiety and depression are close friends. Do you struggle to get to sleep because you can’t stop going over that stupid thing you said years ago? You get so worried about tomorrow or next week?
What to do?
If you found yourself nodding along to these 6 common signs, please reach out for help. Those with high functioning depression often go untreated for years! Don’t let that be you! The sooner you reach out and get some help the less time we will spend feeling bad.
If you found yourself nodding along to these 6 common signs, please reach out for help. Those with high functioning depression often go untreated for years! Don’t let that be you! The sooner you reach out and get some help the less time we will spend feeling bad.
For many people, all that is needed is talk therapy, while others find medication to be the most helpful. Whatever helps you, make sure you speak up, reach out and get it as soon as possible. Cause it can and will get better.
