High Functioning Depression – Symptoms and Treatments
Has your appetite changed? Do you have low self-esteem? Maybe you have sleeping problems. Don’t take this matter lightly because they can be the symptoms of high functioning depression. Maybe they seem to be similar to the symptoms of major depression, but they can be different in respect of severity.
Depression has become a common illness today, as confirmed by the WHO report. Different depression forms are there, and patients are often diagnosed with them.
What Is High Functioning Depression?
Firstly, let us tell you that this term is misleading. Because experience high functioning depression symptoms differently. Also, their treatments can be variable, depending on their condition. The surprising fact is – this condition is non-existent for some psychologists and psychiatrists.
Although some people use this term, it is not considered to be a clinical disorder, nor even a diagnosis. And this is different from other depression forms because of its less severe symptoms. Also, it is less serious. High functioning depression patients usually have a normal lifestyle. Also, it is comparatively less difficult for them when it comes to handling professional life and maintaining relationships. This is why; it is quite difficult to diagnose this mental health problem.
Signs and Symptoms
High functioning depression is believed to have no clinical symptoms since it is not a disorder – according to a large share of healthcare professionals. However, patients with this form of depression experience these mentioned symptoms:
• Insomnia or oversleeping
• Fatigue
• Changes in appetite
• Low self-esteem
• Indecisiveness or difficulty in making decisions
• Concentration problems
• Guilt feeling and hopelessness
Treatments
There are no particular treatments like the way it has no clinical symptom. However, psychotherapy and medications help patients treat their symptoms. These drugs can be prescribed to high functioning depression patients – serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
One thing to note – not every patient responds to medication in the same way. So, the treatment options can be variable. Some trials may require in order to find the right drug or treatment.
Diagnosis
It’s hard to make a proper diagnosis. Because there are similarities between high functioning depression symptoms and dysthymia, also known to be Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD). Patients with any depressive symptoms should consult a psychologist or psychiatrist immediately. Low-grade symptoms the patients may have, often talk about high functioning depression.
Risk Factors
The risk factors can be as follows:
• Genetics and epigenetics
• Neuroticism
• Anxiety
• Prior mental illness
• Low self-esteem
• Trauma
• Social factors and more
When to See a Doctor?
If you deal with depressive episodes for more than a year or longer, it is advisable to book an appointment with a mental health professional immediately. Let your doctor know about your medical history and symptoms. The doctor will recommend you the right treatment after examining you. Therapies, medication and other treatments can be chosen.
High functioning depression has often been untreated. Because it is not considered a serious problem sometimes. However, ignoring the symptoms may increase the risk and cause some big problems in the long term. Book an appointment and talk to your mental health expert immediately to treat the symptoms.