webadminMegan was a 28-year old successful corporate lawyer. From the outside, it appeared that she had it all – a good job, lavish home, great circle of friends with whom she would frequently socialize and a hugely supportive family. But at the end of every day, when she would be alone, she would become relentlessly critical and devastatingly demanding of herself, leading to depressive symptoms. The increased pressure to outperform herself coupled with the symptoms of depression would frequently drive her to binge drink to cope.
Megan is a typical example of a person struggling with high functioning depression. The condition is difficult to spot because the sufferers are high performing individuals and appear calm and collected to the outside world. These people even refuse to acknowledge their own depression because of the associated stigma.
If left untreated, high functioning depression can lead to serious health problems like chronic depression, problems at work, relationship issues, and substance abuse. Fortunately, there are several ways one can combat this depression on their own. Some of these have been listed hereunder:
- Taking a break – Yes, one must take a break. People struggling with high functioning depression are workaholics and refuse to take even a moment to take a deep breath and relax. Human beings need food, sleep, exercise, and socialization without which they are just machines, and even machines need to stop for frequent lubrication. One must leave whatever one is doing and try to declutter the mind every once in a while. Indulging in things like going for a short walk, having tea or coffee, cooking something for the family, and playing with the pet, among others should make one feel much better and invigorated.
- Reassessing priorities – A lot of times, people are driven by comparisons. They do not really know what they want or what their priorities are. They get into the rat race and slog all day long for years on end. It is important to stop everything that one is doing and reassess one’s priorities from time to time. Then accordingly, one can recalibrate the mind and their outlook towards life. Remember, life is not about reaching the finishing line, it is about living with a purpose and working towards it.
- Focusing on self-care – A person struggling with high functioning depression loses the self in the pursuit of their unrealistic goals. If someone realizes that they have a problem, it is important for them to start with self-care. They should practice yoga or meditation to calm themselves. They can also practice mindfulness to live in the present and enjoy every aspect of it. They should go out and socialize with friends to feel better. They can go shopping, learn some hobby, pamper themselves with some beauty treatment, etc.
- Reaching out – It is hard to reach out to friends and family when one is struggling with high functioning depression. However, it is not impossible. One must muster the courage to reach out to someone close and share their struggle. Sometimes, sharing alone is therapeutic. However, if the depression gets chronic and the symptoms worsen over time, one must not hesitate in meeting a therapist.
Seeking treatment for depression
A person suffering from high functioning depression must not delay in seeking professional help as that can help alleviate their symptoms and manage their condition effectively. Just like one seeks help for their physical condition, there is no shame in seeking help for one’s mental health condition.
If you know someone struggling with the symptoms of depression, contact the Mind Health Network to access the best depression treatment program. We deliver effective management of symptoms and long-lasting recovery through our research-backed, holistic intervention plans. Call our 24/7 helpline or chat online with one of our representatives to know more about our depression treatments and how they can benefit you or a loved one.
