The concept of high-functioning depression, in technical terms is known as dysthymia or persistent depressive disorder (PDD) as stated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V).
It is a term used commonly by people as they find it easier to relate to. It is defined by recurrent depressive mood lasting for a period of at least two years. In comparison with different types of depression, the symptoms of a person with high-functioning depression are less intense but are not absent for more than 2 months.
A person with high-functioning depression or PDD can be seen successfully working and carrying out their daily responsibilities as usual but there is an aspect of overall sadness or emptiness that the person feels which may not be outwardly visible to people. To give a clearer picture, a person dealing with severe depression may find it difficult to get out of bed, take a shower, engage in conversations when experiencing a depressive episode while on the other hand, a person with high-functioning depression may be excelling in their professional lives and have active social relationships but over time the persisting sadness has a negative impact on their mental and physical health.
Symptoms
Many times people experiencing high-functioning depression may fail to recognize that they need to seek help as the disorder tends to have become a part of their everyday life.
The symptoms of high-functioning depression or PDD include:
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Feelings of emptiness and sadness
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Irritable behaviour
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Loss of appetite and sleep
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Low self-esteem
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Fatigue and anhedonia or loss of interest in activities they once found pleasure in
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Difficulty in decision making and concentration
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Recurrent thoughts of suicide or death
Treatment
Depending on the severity of the symptoms a treatment plan must be made to help people with high-functioning depression. It is highly recommended that people visit a mental health professional to seek proper guidance and support. A combination of psychotherapy and medication is found to be most helpful just like in case of treating other mental disorders.
Mindfulness techniques, lifestyle changes, and journaling are some techniques which can help a person with high-functioning depression manage their symptoms. Cognitive-behavioural therapy is one of the most well-known therapies which helps in identifying the maladaptive thoughts and working towards developing healthy coping strategies. A mental health professional can help a person in setting and achieving their treatment goals using these techniques.
Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are some of the well-known medications used in treating PDD or high-functioning depression.
Depression is manifested in people in different ways, therefore it is crucial to spread awareness about the importance of looking after one’s own mental health and to seek help whenever needed.
Importance of Professional Counseling: A friend or family member may listen to you, but they aren’t professionally, technically qualified or experienced to offer you professional advice. If you wish you can contact us at MindTribe to receive help from our team of expert psychologists.
About MindTribe.in.
MindTribe Founder Dr. Prerna Kohli, India’s eminent psychologist, established the company to leverage the strength of the online to make counseling affordable and accessible to everyone. MindTribe provides counseling, workshops, support groups, forums, and eLearning.
About the Author.
Renu Seshadri is a psychologist at MindTribe.in. You can learn more about her by clicking here
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MindTribe.in, the Founders, or management team.
Acknowledgement: All images used are open source and from Unsplash.