13 Key Signs of High-Functioning Depression Never to Ignore

depression

Connect in the community

Get active in your community. It may be helpful to get your mind off yourself and focus on the needs around you. Get involved in your community by volunteering at an animal shelter, homeless shelter, or food bank. Maybe you could tutor kids after school to help them learn to read or coach a kid’s baseball team.

How can you help someone with high-functioning depression?

The main thing that you can do for someone suffering from high functioning depression is to let them know you’re there for them. It’s not always easy, but your presence can be crucial for admitting and finding help for their depression. Here are some ways to help someone you know who is suffering from high-functioning depression.

• Acknowledge that their feelings are valid and authentic.
• Please encourage them to get counseling.
• Help them keep a regular schedule of eating, exercising, and sleep.
• Remember that you’re limited to what you can do. You can’t force them to do something.
• Don’t judge them.

Things to watch for include:

1. Hygiene changes such as changes in bathing, shaving, or other toiletries could be a sign of depressive states.
2. Changes in eating habits. Weight loss or weight gain without trying.
3. Suicidal thoughts or talk. Here are a few signals. Finding a new home, giving away treasured items, writing a will, sending an email or text that apologizes for things that happened in the past.

If someone you love has suicidal thoughts, get help right now.

Please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline right as soon as possible at 1-800-273-8255. You may want to text the crisis text line at 741741. These services are open 24/7 and free. The calls are confidential. If you are concerned about a friend’s social media posts, you can directly connect with the social media outlet or dial 911 on your iPhone and explain your concerns.

Do you have high-functioning depression?

How do you know if you’re dealing with high functioning depression? Here are some signs that you may deal with a form of high-functioning depression.

• People describe you as gloomy. You rarely see the bright side of things.
• Have you been called lazy because you can’t get the energy to do things?
• You don’t feel good about yourself. You hate compliments but like to criticize yourself.
• Your weight goes up and down because your appetite grows or diminishes depending on how you feel.
• You cry about things easily or feel hopeless for no reason.
• You aren’t performing well at work or school.
• You’re tempted to take something like alcohol or drugs to feel better.

Final thoughts on overcoming high-functioning depression

Some people like to call high functioning depression the invisible illness. It’s hard to admit your struggles with depression but usually have the chance to talk about what you’re going through help. Mental struggles aren’t something to be ashamed of, and many people have similar struggles. If you struggle with high functioning depression, be sure to talk with a doctor or counselor right away. There are successful treatments for your depression. You don’t need to suffer alone.