When people think of depression, they often picture someone who is unable to get out of bed, go to work, or complete daily tasks. Although this can be true, depression does not always look that way and can manifest in different forms for different people. For some individuals, they can continue to excel at work, care for their families, maintain friendships, and appear successful while quietly struggling on the inside. This experience is often referred to as high-functioning depression.
Although “high-functioning depression” is not an official mental health diagnosis, it is a term commonly used to describe people who continue to function in their daily lives despite experiencing persistent symptoms of depression. They may feel emotionally exhausted, disconnected, hopeless, or numb while at the same time believing that they just need to simply push through for a variety of reasons.
Individuals with high-functioning depression may be particularly at risk because they often delay seeking support, minimize their struggles, compare themselves to others and may feel guilty for asking for help because they are still managing their responsibilities. Therapy for depression provides a supportive space where individuals can recognize that the emotional distress associated with depression deserves to be acknowledged and treated, regardless of how successful or productive they may appear to others.
How Therapy For High Functioning Depression Can Help
Therapists can work collaboratively with clients to explore patterns of thinking, emotional responses, life experiences, relationships, and daily habits that may be maintaining their distress.
Additionally, therapists may help clients explore the underlying reasons as to why they may maintain a high level of functioning while hiding their emotional pain.
Individuals with high-functioning depression may hold long-standing beliefs related to self-worth, productivity, perfectionism, vulnerability, or fears of burdening others. Therefore, therapists can help clients recognize these underlying beliefs, understand how they influence their emotions and behaviours, and challenge unhelpful patterns of thinking to develop healthier, more balanced perspectives.Â
Reconnecting With Meaning And Enjoyment
Therapy also focuses on helping clients reconnect with activities and relationships that bring meaning and fulfillment as depression often causes people to withdraw from hobbies, social connections, or self-care without them even realizing it.
Therapists and clients can work together to identify realistic, meaningful goals that align with the client’s personal values and interests and use techniques like behavioral activation to gradually reintroduce enjoyable or valued activities to improve mood and increase motivation over time. Working toward these small, achievable goals can help clients to rebuild confidence, foster a sense of accomplishment, and create positive change which can make it easier for clients to reengage more fully in all areas of life.Â
Developing Healthier Coping Skills
Another important aspect of therapy is developing healthier ways of coping with difficult emotions. Therapists can help clients address common patterns of suppressing sadness, anxiety, or disappointment. They provide psychoeducation and collaboratively teach skills that help clients identify, tolerate, and respond to their emotions in ways that align with their values. These skills may include:
- Mindfulness techniques
- Emotion regulation strategies
- Self-compassion
- Improving communication
This also includes boundaries within relationships. The result is that these can help clients respond to difficult emotions more effectively, reduce self-criticism, strengthen relationships, and improve their overall emotional well-being.
Therapy Is A Personalized Process
The important part of therapy is that sessions are collaborative and tailored to each person’s goals and recognize that every individual’s experience of depression is unique. It can also be a supportive environment where clients can better understand themselves, process difficult experiences, and develop practical tools for navigating life experiences.
If you find yourself constantly feeling emotionally drained despite accomplishing everything, struggling to enjoy things that once mattered, or believing you have to hide how you are feeling, you do not have to wait until things become overwhelming before reaching out for support.
Seeking therapy is a sign of investment in your life and an opportunity to move beyond simply functioning to living a life that feels more balanced, fulfilling and worth experiencing.
Book a consultation at Rebound Total Health for an in-person session in our Hamilton, Ontario office or a virtual session (Ontario).
For more inspiration and news, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.