What is High Functioning Depression and How Does it Affect Us?

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Depression is a mental disorder categorized by severe sadness, poor concentration, loss of joy, or low motivation. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States and the world. According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that around 3.8% of people (around 280 million) worldwide have depression. Depression affects everyone differently. It can range in its severity, and it can be very debilitating. It can also be chronic and can affect people throughout life. However, depression can sometimes appear differently. People around you may seem to work continuously or socialize with family and friends, yet you still experience depression. A person who has “High Functioning Depression” may look like the mentioned example.

To start, let’s explore what the term “high functioning” means in the context of a mental disorder. If a behavior or way of thinking affects us negatively in fundamental areas such as going to work, going to school, going to the market, or communicating with other people, we can say that that behavior or way of thinking leads to impairments in functioning. Mental disorders affect functioning deeply, influencing our daily activities and how we navigate life. Yet, the term “high-functioning” indicates that this experience is somewhat unique. In simpler terms, while someone might appear “functional” on the outside, they could face significant and enduring internal challenges.

What is High Functioning Depression?

High-functioning depression is not a clinical diagnosis. High-functioning depression refers to people who may be struggling with depression but who are still completing their day-to-day activities and responsibilities, such as going to work, completing chores, running errands, paying bills, bathing, clothing, feeding themselves, and taking care of others. On the outside, someone with high-functioning depression may not appear to be depressed at all. High-functioning depression differs from more traditional forms of depression in some important ways:

Functioning: Individuals with high-functioning depression can carry out daily functions and be socially active. This includes maintaining one’s work and social life, in contrast to more severe forms of depression.

Perception: This form of depression often goes unnoticed from the outside because individuals can hide their emotional difficulties. Also, even the person might not be aware of the situation.

Symptoms of High Functioning Depression

Symptoms of high-functioning depression can be similar to symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder or Persistent Depressive Disorder:

Persistent feelings of sadness
Social withdrawal
Thoughts of death or dying
Feeling negatively about yourself
Difficult concentrating
Low motivation
Loss of joy
Changes in weight, eating, or appetite

Though some people speculate that high-functioning depression has milder symptoms than depression, high-functioning depression can occur at any severity.

Why Does This Happen?

There are many reasons why someone might develop depression, including trauma, stress, and genetics. Similarly, there are many reasons why someone with depression might be able to function better than another person:

Cultural expectations (such as race, gender, or religion) may stigmatize experiences of depression or normalize “pushing through” mental health obstacles.
Guilt caused by lack of productivity may cause someone to keep being productive.
Masking or hiding “dysfunction” may lead to someone excelling in public and declining in private.
The need to survive (e.g., go to work every day) might also play a role in why someone is more functional with depression.
Unawareness of depression may also impact a person’s function.

How Does This Affect Us?

Whether someone living with depression is high or low functioning, depression can have serious effects on their mental and physical health when left untreated.

Just because someone is higher functioning with depression does not mean they are managing their depression any better than someone who is lower functioning. Even mild cases of depression can lead to things like…

Heart disease
Diabetes
Substance use
Anxiety

What Can I Do?

If you may be struggling with high-functioning depression, there are things you can do to manage your health:

Identify warning signs and symptoms of your depression, such as mood, energy, or appetite.
Learn other ways to take care of yourself besides productivity.
Take breaks and unlearn productivity guilt.
Seek support from friends and loved ones.
Develop healthy coping skills to combat symptoms of depression.
Practice routine self-care to prevent symptoms of depression.
Seek support from mental health professionals.

While depression can be chronic and debilitating, research also shows that many people overcome depression.

Takeaways

Depression manifests itself in various forms and alters functionality. Some people go through depression in a hidden way while still managing to function in their daily lives. This is called “High Functioning Depression”.
Whether mild or severe, the symptoms of high-functioning depression can often experience symptoms in Major Depressive Disorder or Persistent Depressive Disorder.
High-functioning depression happens due to several reasons, ranging from cultural expectations to guilt.
This condition also affects physical health as well as mental health.
If you find yourself facing high-functioning depression, it can really help to recognize the warning signs, prioritize self-care, lean on your friends and family for support, develop healthy coping skills, and reach out for professional help when needed. You’re not alone in this journey!

Resources

Clinic, C. (2024, July 11). What is High-Functioning Depression? Signs and Symptoms. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/high-functioning-depression
Depression. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression#:~:text=Depression%20is%20one%20of%20the,for%20suicidal%20thoughts%20and%20behaviors.
Gupta, S. (2024, June 12). Can you have ‘High-Functioning’ depression? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/high-functioning-depression-causes-symptoms-and-treatment-5324550
Lamm, D., & Lamm, D. (2024, March 25). The reality of “High Functioning” depression. NAMI. https://www.nami.org/depression-disorders/the-reality-of-high-functioning-depression/
Rottenberg, J., Devendorf, A. R., Kashdan, T. B., & Disabato, D. J. (2018). The curious neglect of high functioning after psychopathology: the case of depression. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 13(5), 549–566. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691618769868
World Health Organization: WHO & World Health Organization: WHO. (2023, March 31). Depressive disorder (depression). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression#:~:text=An%20estimated%203.8%25%20of%20the,%E2%80%9329%2Dyear%2Dolds.

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