\u201cI don\u2019t even remember the last time I was truly happy. Yet I go to work, pay my bills, see my friends. But I\u2019m constantly, severely depressed.\u201d<\/p>\n
This is just one of over a thousand comments on a TikTok post<\/a> from a psychologist raising awareness of high-functioning depression.<\/p>\n While not a clinical diagnosis, high-functioning depression (HFD) describes people living with symptoms of depression, who don\u2019t cease to function as a result.<\/a><\/p>\n They can still get up and go to work, college or school each day, and even perform well \u2013 but they are often silently struggling with depression symptoms.<\/p>\n In a video shared on TikTok with over 2 million views, psychologist Dr Julie Smith<\/a> said: \u201cDepression doesn\u2019t start the day you can\u2019t get out of bed. In reality, very few people suddenly become debilitated by depression.<\/p>\n \u201cMostly, that builds up over years of struggling to keep your head above the water while meeting all of life\u2019s expectations at the same time. So, you can be deeply suffering with the symptoms of depression, even though you\u2019re still getting by doing everything you\u2019re supposed to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Many people could relate to this state of being. In response to the post, one TikTok user said: \u201cThis is me to a T. Nobody believes that I\u2019m struggling because I laugh, I go to work, I do everything I\u2019m supposed to do. But they don\u2019t really know.\u201d<\/p>\n Another said: \u201cMy dad had high functioning depression all his life and then once he retired he had time to himself to sit in it, he was sucked in deeply and he was suffering so much.\u201d<\/p>\n What are the signs of high-functioning depression?<\/strong><\/p>\n Experts previously told HuffPost <\/a>a red flag that could indicate high-functioning depression is that you don\u2019t experience any sustained sense of joy or pleasure, despite good things happening \u2013 also known as anhedonia.<\/p>\n Therapist Becca Reed<\/a> said: \u201cSomeone with high-functioning depression might feel disconnected, as if they are going through the motions without genuine engagement or joy.<\/p>\n \u201cThis detachment can manifest as a lack of interest in activities they once enjoyed, a sense of being stuck in a routine or feeling emotionally flat even in situations that would typically bring about strong emotions.\u201d<\/p>\n Other signs include: fatigue, poor concentration, guilt, restlessness, sleep disturbances and appetite changes.<\/p>\n You might also find yourself becoming emotional and crying a lot for no clear reason, or being very self-critical. Some people might turn to alcohol or drugs to cope.<\/p>\n When to seek help<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr Smith said the term high-functioning depression is \u201cuseful\u201d as \u201cmany people have a pre-conceived idea that good mental health is all about whether you can still get to work or not\u201d.<\/p>\n If you can go to work, the assumption is you\u2019re OK, things aren\u2019t so bad. But the psychologist suggested we need to shift this thinking. <\/p>\n People with this type of depression might feel \u201cundeserving of any support\u201d, added the expert, \u201cbecause they are not outwardly at rock bottom\u201d.<\/p>\n But Dr Smith concluded that \u201chigh functioning is not the same as happy and healthy\u201d and added that \u201cthe fact that you can make it to work or school every day does not mean that your mental health couldn\u2019t benefit from some work and some support\u201d.<\/p>\n Experts at The Priory, which supports people with addiction recovery, acknowledge that high-functioning depression \u201ccan be a chronic and enduring illness\u201d.<\/p>\n And while symptoms might be less severe, it doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s insignificant to those that struggle \u2013 nor does it mean you are undeserving of help. <\/p>\n \u201cBecause high functioning depression is less \u2018obvious\u2019 than other types of depression, it might be overlooked or dismissed by both healthcare professionals and even the individuals themselves,\u201d said Rachael Heades<\/a>, from The Priory.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, it can have a negative impact on quality of life, which is why it\u2019s so important that people with high functioning depression are able to get the help they need.\u201d<\/p>\n The NHS urges people<\/a> to see a GP if they experience symptoms of depression for most of the day, every day, for more than two weeks. The waiting time for talking therapy on the NHS can range from six to 18 weeks after referral. <\/a><\/p>\n If you\u2019re struggling and can afford to do so, paying for private therapy might help you get support quicker. <\/a><\/p>\n Help and support:<\/p>\n\n