What Is Functional (or Highly Functional) Depression? 5 Signs Of Living With This Disorder
Can a person suffer from depression and be perfectly functional? What happens if a person lives with this disorder? Discover how to identify high-functioning depression and how it affects you.
The depression It is a mental health condition that, according to statistics, affects one in six people at some point in their lives. Although the main symptoms of this disorder can be known in the general population, the reality is that it can affect in different ways, that is, not all depression looks and feels the same.
Taking this into account, the functional depression or highly functional depression It is a term used to describe a depressive disorder in which people who suffer from it, despite suffering from all its symptoms, live a completely normal life and look good to others. So what can indicate that someone suffers from this type of depression?
The functional depression It is not a term used within the ‘Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorderss’, that is, it is not an official diagnosis. On the contrary, it is a colloquial term that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years as a way to describe the hidden symptoms of depression that may end up going unnoticed by others and do not seem to affect a person’s functioning.
This term refers to the fact that depression can often end up being an invisible disorder, which can cause distressing symptoms without being externally visible. Although this depression means that people who suffer from it live normally, its symptoms can be just as intense as other types of depression.
The main problem of the highly functional depression is that it often causes people not to seek treatment even though they are suffering from their symptoms. The reason is that, by being functional, they can feel that they are not going through a serious situation or that they can live with it.
A person who suffers from a highly functional depression experience the symptoms of clinical depression. However, some of the characteristics that can differentiate this type of depression are the following:
Less intense symptoms: The symptoms of functional depression are less intense than those of major depressive disorder, so they end up being more manageable for those who suffer from it.
Little insulation: The person who suffers from this chronic depression is able to perform at work and maintain normal, healthy relationships despite suffering from mild depression.
Somatization of emotions: People suffering from functional depression may try to hide their true emotions from loved ones, which can lead to chronic somatic symptoms, such as headaches and upset stomach.
Chronic fatigue: Although the person suffering from this depression is able to complete their daily tasks, everything they do requires a lot of effort, which can cause a feeling of chronic fatigue.
Constant feeling of emptiness: Those who suffer from highly functional depression often experience a feeling of emptiness, and it can even lead to a feeling of worthlessness or guilt.
These are some of the signs that are usually associated with a functional depression Additionally, the person may suffer from some or many of the symptoms of a depressive disorder.
What are the risks of high-functioning depression?
When a person suffers from a functional depression, you tend to feel too ‘well’ to seek help, even though you are suffering a lot of damage in both your professional and private life. Furthermore, this type of depression usually ends up being chronic, which ends up making many of those who suffer from it believe that this is their new normal. In addition to this, people with high-functioning depression may suffer from the following risks:
Minimize your problems: It is possible that those who suffer from this depression have a constant tendency to minimize their problems, which is why these people tend not to recognize their needs or struggles.
They feel like they shouldn’t be depressed: In many cases, people suffering from high-functioning depression may feel that their problems are only ‘in their head’ or that they simply need a ‘change of scenery’ to find relief. These thoughts only cause them to end up feeling more guilty about the symptoms of depression and not seek help because of it.
They don’t talk about their worries: Because they often feel the same worries as a result of the symptoms of depression, these people may avoid talking to others about it for fear of boring or worrying their loved ones.
In most cases, the triggers or common causes of highly functional depression They are very similar to the causes that can arise in any form of depression. Possible causes range from a genetic disposition to depression caused by an event. Among the most common causes, we can find the following:
Chronic stress: Some people may live with high levels of stress related to the demands of work, school, family, and home. This can eventually cause a functional depression disorder to appear.
Trauma: Having experienced the loss of a loved one, emotional abuse, or bullying may be one of the reasons why highly functioning depression develops.
Genetics: There are some hereditary traits that can create a predisposition for people to become depressed.
Conflicts in relationships: These can occur at home, at school, or at work.
Substance abuse: The abusive consumption of certain substances, such as alcohol, can end up affecting our mood or even our level of functioning.
How to deal with highly functional depression?
Lifestyle changes are often helpful for people dealing with a depressive disorder. This may involve establishing a more balanced diet, changing our sleep routine, giving up alcohol as well as other stimulants, and participating in a social support network. In addition to taking this into account, some of the tips that can help you reduce depressive symptoms are the following:
Set small daily goals: By having achievable goals each day, this can help you increase your motivation and mood, reducing the feelings of discomfort caused by a depressive disorder.
Have a sleep routine: Healthy sleeping habits help improve our mood. Therefore, if you suffer from highly functional depression, it is important that you try to maintain a routine and, above all, invest in a good rest.
Limit the use of alcohol and other stimulant substances: For example, caffeine can alter our nervous system and cause us greater discomfort, in the same way that happens with alcohol and other abusive substances.
Get out of your comfort zone: In many cases, changing some aspects of your daily life can help you see things from another perspective and have a much more optimistic view of the situation.
Go to therapy: It is essential that, if you think you may be experiencing functional depression, you try to see a psychology specialist. Psychological treatment will give you the necessary tools to combat the symptoms of this disorder.
A functional depression It can end up harming you in many aspects of your life. Furthermore, since almost all people have a ‘normal’ life, they may believe that it is not a serious problem, when in reality it is, since it limits their own happiness. Therefore, it is important that you focus on treating it and recovering your life.
