You’ve been drudging through your day-to-day responsibilities for months or even years without finding much fulfillment in anything. Some days, you don’t even want to get out of bed. But you keep going through the motions. Maybe it’s because other people are depending on you, and you know that you can’t give up for their sake. Or maybe you’re hoping that your zest for life will suddenly reappear one day, and until then, you need to try your best to revive your motivation.
You assume that because you are able to put one foot in front of the other and uphold your responsibilities, you couldn’t possibly be depressed. But many people with high-functioning depression deal with situations exactly like these. Here are a few warning signs that you may be struggling with high-functioning depression.
Everyday Tasks Take Tremendous Effort
You’re still managing to take care of basic everyday tasks, like cooking, cleaning, running errands, and other domestic responsibilities. Yet you feel like completing these tasks saps so much energy. It takes a huge effort just to cook a meal or tidy up your room. You constantly feel drained.
Hiding Your Symptoms in Public
At work, or in school, no one would suspect that you might be secretly struggling. You still finish your projects on time, get back to your coworkers quickly, and show up for all of your obligations. Hiding your symptoms allows you to fly under the radar and avoid raising concerns from other people. You try to keep your emotions under wraps to avoid disappointing your coworkers, professors, or classmates.
Participating in Your Hobbies with Little Enthusiasm
You do not feel much motivation to engage with your hobbies anymore. But you try to keep up with your commitments to the best of your ability. For example, if you are a member of a recreational sports league, you still show up to practices so that your friends don’t worry. If you take art classes, you keep going, even though it’s starting to feel like a waste of time because you have so little enthusiasm for the activity anymore.
Fulfilling Social Obligations
When friends invite you to social gatherings, you don’t really want to go. In fact, you would much rather stay home, and going out involves mustering up energy that you barely have. You show up despite this, yet on the inside, you still feel alone. Even when you’re surrounded by a crowd of people, it seems like you’re completely isolated. It’s hard to make conversation, and you always feel like you’re drawing a blank.
“Bouts” of Severe Symptoms Tend to Pass
Sometimes, your symptoms are so severe that you can no longer go about your day while hiding how you’re feeling. Suddenly, you feel like you’re about to collapse. You may choose to stay home for a few days. During times like this, you might question whether or not you should seek therapy. But the “bout” passes, and you take this as a sign that you don’t need help. Therefore, you keep putting off the thought of reaching out to a therapist.
Trying to Self-Medicate
If you have never talked to a therapist, you might be seeking some other form of relief. At times, you may turn to substances as a form of “self-medication.” Substance abuse is a common pitfall for people with high-functioning depression. It can provide a temporary reprieve from your symptoms, but it’s not a long-term solution.
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Are you concerned that you might have high-functioning depression? Talking to a therapist can help. Reach out to us to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.