DEPRESSION

When it comes to politicians, I have said I admire Bernard Sanders most during the past eight years. That has changed. Bernie is now #2. The person I now admire most is John Fetterman. A big man with an even bigger heart. 

In this day and age, society makes it difficult to seek help, seemingly frowning on those who do as lesser individuals. My father was like that. He would never admit to any faults, never seek help, and forbade those around him from doing same, belittling them. Making them feel small, inferior. As I result, I now see that he prevented those around him from living better lives, especially himself. 

In admitting his problem and seeking help, John Fetterman has sent a message to the world that it is okay to seek help. In fact, it is more than okay and the admirable thing to do. Now, more people will seek help and lead more fulfilling lives. Happier lives. 

Thanks to John Fetterman’s public admission, not only will more people seek help without being stigmatized, but that help will come way before thoughts of suicide. In short, if Senator Fetterman accomplishes nothing else during his life, he will be remembered for all of the lives his unselfish, courageous public actions saved. 

What Is High Functioning Depression And Could You Have It?

This is the reality for those who have high functioning depression. They suffer in silence while doing what they need to just to get by.

BY WH STAFF | JUL 12, 2019

On the outside, you’re highly productive, successful and motivated. You have a big group of friends, a great job and seem to have life all sorted out. But on the inside, you’re gripped by low self-worth and the pressure to be perfect.

Sound familiar?

This is the reality for those who have high functioning depression. They suffer in silence while doing what they need to just to get by.

Most commonly, the condition is referred to as dysthymia, or Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD). It carries all the same symptoms of major depression but it’s a lot harder to spot.

“Major depressive disorder relates to a combination of emotional, cognitive and physical changes,” explains SANE Australia psychologist Suzanne Leckie.

“These can include sadness, guilt and a sense of hopelessness, trouble concentrating and remembering, experiencing less pleasure in usual activities, fatigue, trouble sleeping and changes to appetite.”

RELATED: Scientists Have Found A Surprising Connection Between Depression And Acne

“With PDD, people experience many of the same symptoms but to a lesser degree which enables them to still get out of bed in the morning and do much of what they need to do.” 

“This means that the depression may not be evident to others and can come as a surprise to extended family and colleagues.

The symptoms generally last for two or more years, at which point sufferers often start to consider PDD their “new normal.”

“They lose sight of what it was like to feel better,” Suzanne explains. “It’s often the case that people only seek help when they can no longer meet their obligations.”

While there’s no clinical test for PDD, primary care doctors and mental health professionals can use screening tools to assess patients’ risk.

“A GP, psychologist or psychiatrist diagnoses PDD through asking questions relating to the symptoms. This could be done via a questionnaire that is scored to reveal levels of depression but can also be undertaken more conversationally.”

If any of this rings true for you, talking to your GP is a great first step.

You can also call the SANE Australia Helpline on 1800 187 263 to talk to a mental health professional from 10am-10pm AEST, or visit the SANE Online Forums at saneforums.org.

RELATED: 8 Signs You’re Struggling With High-Functioning Anxiety

https://www.womenshealth.com.au/symptoms-of-high-functioning-depression/

9 Signs That You May Be Unknowingly Living With High Functioning Depression

by Emily Dixon

July 1, 2018

Brkati Krokodil/Stocksy

The stigma clinging to depression (and other mental illnesses) is as insidious as it is pervasive, operating in discreet ways that often go unrecognised. Stigma lingers even in spaces where depression is openly discussed, limiting the popular perception of who a person with depression might be and how the illness might manifest. In fact, there are sometimes signs you have high functioning depression that even someone clued up on mental health might miss.



Too often, people with depression are depicted as exclusively white, cis, straight women, while the disease itself is presented as an all-consuming, incapacitating misery that binds its victims to their beds. Such a narrow scope excludes the experiences of millions of PoC and LGBTQIA+ people with depression. What's more, it ignores the existence of high-functioning depression, denying people the chance to recognise their illness and seek the help they deserve.



High functioning depression — referred to alternately as persistent depressive disorder (PDD) or, less recently, dysthymia — is a form of chronic depression, as the Mayo Clinic explains. Though people with high functioning depression may experience symptoms less acutely than those with major depression disorder, WebMD notes that "the depression symptoms can linger for a long period of time, often two years or longer." You might ostensibly be able to go about your daily routine with high functioning depression, despite persistent feelings of sadness or exhaustion. But the illness is still a serious one that warrants treatment. You're worth more than your utility, and you deserve more from life than simply going through the motions. So if any of the following signs ring true, consider seeing your GP to find out how to get help.



1

You Feel Sad Or Empty Most Of The Time

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The Mayo Clinic lists persistent "sadness, emptiness or feeling down" as a significant symptom of persistent depressive disorder. True, no one's happy every minute of the day, and I'll maintain unto eternity that Pollyanna was extremely annoying and needed to take a seat, but be honest with yourself: is your default state one of sadness or numbness? If so, make an appointment with your doctor.



2

You're Sleeping Too Much Or Too Little

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According to WebMD, "insomnia or excessive sleep almost every day" is another sign of high functioning depression. If you know before hitting the light switch that you'll struggle to get to sleep, or you get ten hours every night and still can't stay awake at work, something more serious could be going on, and it might be worth speaking to a professional about it.

3

You've Got Physical Pain & You Don't Know Why

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Do you have a constant mysterious headache no amount of Nurofen will shift, or a back ache no doctor can find the root of? Talkspace, an initiative designed to make therapy affordable for all, suggests that experiencing "aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause" could indicate that you're actually dealing with high functioning depression.

4

You Don't Enjoy The Things You Used To

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Speaking to Women's Health Australia, psychologist Suzanne Leckie listed "experiencing less pleasure in usual activities" as a diagnostic criterion for high functioning depression. Too often, people with depression are told to simply cheer themselves up with a favourite TV show or hobby, ignorant to the reality that once favourite activities have lost all their appeal. If this sounds all too familiar, don't hesitate to make an appointment with a medical professional.

5

You Always Feel Worried Or Guilty

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If you feel an inordinate sense of responsibility towards everything, can't shake persistent worries, and frequently find yourself ruminating over past actions, you might be experiencing high functioning depression. The Mayo Clinic includes "feelings of guilt and worries over the past" in their list of symptoms; if they're dominating your mental space, consider talking to your GP.

6

You're Irritable & Easily Angered

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For The Mighty, psychotherapist Annie Wright wrote, "if you find yourself exploding in a way that feels disproportionate to the event, if irritability and excessive anger are something you’re wrestling with, this may be a sign." If you're constantly tempted to blow up at people, or the slightest annoyance reduces you to tears of rage, resist the urge to demonise yourself — you might actually be living with high functioning depression.

7

You're Constantly Exhausted

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Another potential sign of high functioning depression is "decreased energy or fatigue", according to Talkspace. Too often, we measure our capacities by the tasks we've been able to complete, ignoring the physical or mental toll these tasks are taking. Don't minimise your exhaustion because you still make it to work on time — if the fatigue is persistent, schedule an appointment with a doctor.

8

You Feel Awful About Yourself

VisualSpectrum/Stocksy

Psychology Today lists "low self-esteem" as one of the symptoms of high functioning depression. Though you might be reluctant to talk about your self-image, doing so can be the first step towards recognising your self-perception is skewed, and you are worth far more than your depression wants you to believe.

9

Your Friends And Family Think Everything's Fine

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...but you know it isn't. As Suzanne Leckie explained in Women's Health, "With PDD, people experience many of the same symptoms but to a lesser degree which enables them to still get out of bed in the morning and do much of what they need to do.” She added, "This means that the depression may not be evident to others and can come as a surprise to extended family and colleagues." Don't depend on the perceptions of others to determine whether you might have a problem — just because your depression isn't immediately apparent, doesn't mean it isn't real.

Because high functioning depression is more difficult to detect than major depressive disorder, it's often swept under the rug, despite the distress it can cause. Worse, because high functioning depression or PDD typically persists over several years, it's possible to simply adjust your baseline and believe that a state of constant unhappiness is just how it's always been. But if you recognise yourself in the symptoms listed above, challenge your brain's narrative, and make an appointment with a doctor. Happiness is attainable. You deserve it.

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