Can You Have 'High-Functioning' Depression?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAbout the Term ‘High-Functioning Depression’SymptomsCausesDiagnosisHiding Your DepressionTreatment

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

About the Term ‘High-Functioning Depression’

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Hiding Your Depression

Treatment

Close

Depressionis a mental health condition that affects one in six people at some point during their lifetime.It can take many different shapes and forms, and affect people in different ways.

High-functioning depression or functional depression is a lay term that is sometimes used to describe experiencing symptoms of a depressive disorder, but to outside appearances, you look fine, saysAimee Daramus, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist.

While it isn’t a specifically-recognized condition, in some cases it may represent an actual clinical diagnosis of depression. You may seem fine because you can go about your day and be productive. Other people may not even realize that you are experiencing depression unless you tell them, says Dr. Daramus. However, you may not be alright.

Despite the growing use of the term “high-functioning depression,” some experts suggest that its use can be problematic or even harmful.

While the use of the term demonstrates how depression can often be aninvisible illness, causing distressing symptoms without being outwardly visible, its use may also play a part in perpetuating stigma about mental illness.It may cause some people to feel that theyshouldbe able to function at a high level even while struggling with serious symptoms of depression.

It’s also important to emphasize that describing it as ‘high-functioning’ often makes it seems like the symptoms are less serious or less severe. This might increase the likelihood that people will dismiss their symptoms, feel like others won’t take them seriously, or fail to seek treatment.

Symptoms of ‘High-Functioning’ Depression

Depression can cause emotional and physical symptoms, which can include:

Aimee Daramus, PsyD’High functioning’ depression can happen at any severity, from mild to so severe that the person is self-harming or at risk of suicide. However, they are often hiding their symptoms from other people.

Aimee Daramus, PsyD

‘High functioning’ depression can happen at any severity, from mild to so severe that the person is self-harming or at risk of suicide. However, they are often hiding their symptoms from other people.

Someone wholives with youmay notice the fatigue,irritability, isolation, sadness, and other signs of depression, says Dr. Daramus. “A lot of the time, though, people can’t really tell unless you choose to be open about it.”

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Causes of ‘High-Functioning’ Depression

Causes and Risk Factors of Depression

Diagnosing ‘High-Functioning’ Depression

It’s important to note that ‘high-functioning’ depression isn’t an official diagnosis in itself, says Dr. Daramus. It is sometimes used to describe dysthymia, but it can happen with anytype of depressive disorder.

According to Dr. Daramus, there are several types of depressive disorders and specifiers, including:

If you have symptoms of these depressive disorders, you may still be functioning on some level as though everything’s fine, but it may not be. If you are able to hide it or still do very well in life, that might be considered ‘high-functioning’ depression, says Dr. Daramus.

Hiding the Fact That You Have Depression

According to Dr. Daramus, these are some reasons why you may feel like you have to hide your depressive symptoms from others:

Treating ‘High-Functioning’ Depression

While a person who has depression may be described as ‘high functioning,’ this does not mean that they do not need treatment. Treatments for depression can include:

Best Depression Support Groups

Final Thoughts

People can sometimes find it hard to believe that someone who is highly functional may have depression. However, it’s important to remember that depression can affect anyone, even those who are rich,famous, or successful, or those who seem to be living in comparatively ideal circumstances.

Depression is neither a character flaw nor a weakness, and it is not something to be ashamed of. In fact, some people with high-functioning depression choose to be very open about it andadvocatefor others with depression, says Dr. Daramus.

If you are experiencing depression, it’s important to get help for it so you can start feeling better. Depression is among the most treatable of mental health conditions and treatment has a highly significant likelihood of success.

Treatmentcan also be helpful with difficulty accepting that you have depression or felt the need to hide the fact that you have depression from others.

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?The Washington Post.What does ‘high-functioning depression’ mean? We asked experts.National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.Cleveland Clinic.Depression.Yatham S, Sivathasan S, Yoon R, da Silva TL, Ravindran AV.Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder among youth in low and middle income countries: A review of prevalence and treatment interventions.Asian J Psychiatr. 2018;38:78-91. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2017.10.029Rosenblat JD, Kurdyak P, Cosci F, et al.Depression in the medically ill.Aust N Z J Psychiatry.2020;54(4):346-366. doi:10.1177/0004867419888576American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Major depression.

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?The Washington Post.What does ‘high-functioning depression’ mean? We asked experts.National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.Cleveland Clinic.Depression.Yatham S, Sivathasan S, Yoon R, da Silva TL, Ravindran AV.Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder among youth in low and middle income countries: A review of prevalence and treatment interventions.Asian J Psychiatr. 2018;38:78-91. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2017.10.029Rosenblat JD, Kurdyak P, Cosci F, et al.Depression in the medically ill.Aust N Z J Psychiatry.2020;54(4):346-366. doi:10.1177/0004867419888576American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Major depression.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?The Washington Post.What does ‘high-functioning depression’ mean? We asked experts.National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.Cleveland Clinic.Depression.Yatham S, Sivathasan S, Yoon R, da Silva TL, Ravindran AV.Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder among youth in low and middle income countries: A review of prevalence and treatment interventions.Asian J Psychiatr. 2018;38:78-91. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2017.10.029Rosenblat JD, Kurdyak P, Cosci F, et al.Depression in the medically ill.Aust N Z J Psychiatry.2020;54(4):346-366. doi:10.1177/0004867419888576American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Major depression.

American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?

The Washington Post.What does ‘high-functioning depression’ mean? We asked experts.

National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.

Cleveland Clinic.Depression.

Yatham S, Sivathasan S, Yoon R, da Silva TL, Ravindran AV.Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder among youth in low and middle income countries: A review of prevalence and treatment interventions.Asian J Psychiatr. 2018;38:78-91. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2017.10.029

Rosenblat JD, Kurdyak P, Cosci F, et al.Depression in the medically ill.Aust N Z J Psychiatry.2020;54(4):346-366. doi:10.1177/0004867419888576

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Major depression.

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