2024-01-22 11:37:27
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Patients with high-functioning depression can sometimes feel joy and cope with their everyday lives. However, they quietly suffer from typical depressive symptoms inside.
Successful on the outside, desperate on the inside – this best describes the condition of a person with high-functioning depression. Because those affected usually continue to work and “function” on the outside, while on the inside they feel empty and drained. Often there is chaos in their inner lives and despite their ability to function, patients with this special form of depression suffer from typical depressive symptoms. Nevertheless, it differs from the classic form.
High-functioning depression must be distinguished from classic depression: differences and typical symptoms
Women suffer from high-functioning depression more often than men. © Pond5 Images/IMAGO
- High-functioning depression primarily affects women who manage their everyday lives successfully despite the illness.
- Those affected feel exhausted, sad and desperate inside, often as if they are living in two different worlds.
- In contrast to classic depression, high-functioning depression is considered a milder form, but can still be long-lasting and stressful.
- Symptoms are similar to those of classic depression and include self-doubt, perfectionism, feeling stressed, critical of yourself or others, low energy, joylessness, resorting to coping strategies and difficulty relaxing.
- Possible triggers include stress, pressure to perform, financial problems, interpersonal conflicts, traumatic events in childhood and genetic predisposition.
- Research also shows that diet can also play a role in the development of this depression.
- Diagnosis of high-functioning depression often takes a long time because it progresses gradually and continuously.
- In contrast to classic depression, it does not appear in phases, but rather constantly.
- Those affected can feel joy at times and carry on with their lives normally on the surface, which does not initially make them suspect that they have depression and makes a diagnosis more difficult.
- Lifestyle adjustments, professional help, antidepressants, and psychotherapy can help improve the condition and promote healing.
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This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editorial team cannot answer individual questions about medical conditions.
This article was created using machine assistance and was carefully reviewed by editor Judith Braun before publication.
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