Do you find yourself going through the motions of your day-to-day life, despite feeling an underlying sense of emptiness or sadness? Getting out of bed and through each day might not feel impossible for you, but it’s seldom something you look forward to anymore.
It’s a strange feeling, one that might be familiar if you’re dealing with high-functioning depression. This type of depression is like a chameleon, blending in with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, making it hard to detect. But just because it’s hidden doesn’t mean it’s not there.
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at five signs of high-functioning depression that might be lurking beneath the surface and what to do if you spot them.
1. Persistent Feeling of Emptiness
One of the most insidious signs of high-functioning depression is the feeling of emptiness or emotional numbness. It’s like a void that never fills, even when everything seems to be going well. For instance, you could be celebrating a promotion or enjoying a night out with friends. Still, that sense of detachment or emptiness persists, causing you to feel like an observer in your own life rather than a participant.
2. Loss of Interest in Once-Beloved Things
Another sneaky sign to watch out for is disinterest in activities you once enjoyed. That hobby you used to be passionate about or the friends you used to love spending time with? They just don’t seem to hold the same appeal anymore. You may not realize it’s happening as the color slowly drains from your life. Still, high-functioning depression can leave everything dull and unremarkable — even the things you once enjoyed most.
3. Difficulty Focusing or Finding Motivation
Of course, the difficulty with high-functioning depression is that you know you can carry on with your daily responsibilities regardless of how you’re feeling. Despite the appearance of functioning on the outside, you might persistently struggle to focus or get things done. You might find yourself clinging to external sources of motivation to keep pressing onward with your day.
Despite your ability to complete tasks, underlying feelings of frustration, guilt, and a lack of confidence can further exacerbate the symptoms of high-functioning depression.
4. Increased Irritability or Anger
Do you find yourself snapping at loved ones or feeling angry for no apparent reason?
You might lash out more frequently, even over minor things, or feel inexplicable irritability simmering just beneath the surface.
It’s hard to reconcile these feelings with the idea of “functioning” in daily life, but they can be a telltale sign of underlying depression.
5. You Feel Tired Almost All of the Time
High-functioning depression can leave you tired, regardless of how much or how little you sleep. You might find yourself sleeping more than usual yet wake up feeling drained and unrefreshed. Or you may experience difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently throughout the night, or waking up earlier than usual, even on the weekends.
These sleep disturbances can exacerbate the other symptoms of high-functioning depression, creating a vicious cycle that’s hard to break. If you’re constantly tired, even when you’ve had adequate sleep, it’s important to recognize this as a potential sign of depression.
High-Functioning Depression is Real — So Seek Real, Effective Support
“High-functioning depression” may not be an official diagnosis, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t worth addressing. It might be easy to look the other way, but just because you are carrying on doesn’t mean depression isn’t weighing heavily on your shoulders.
If you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms for an extended period, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional. And if you’ve tried medications for depression without success, you may want to consider TMS Therapy for depression.
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. TMS Therapy has shown promising results in treating depression, especially when medications haven’t worked.
If you’re in the Washington area, consider TMS Washington as an option for treatment. At TMS Washington, we offer personalized care and use the latest technology to help you overcome depression and reclaim your life. Don’t let high-functioning depression hold you back any longer — seek help today!
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