You go to work every day. You spend time with friends and family on the weekends. But do you do all this not with great enthusiasm, but just because you have to? Do you not feel happy about anything? Do you look forward to falling into bed at the end of the day and sleeping? Does this story sound familiar to you? Maybe you are suffering from a state of sadness, such as depression, but do you go about your daily activities as normal without showing it on the outside?
What is this situation that seems 'good' but is painful to the soul?
Simply put, this is what we call "High-functioning Depression." It means that even though a person has symptoms of depression, they are able to go about their daily lives in a lifeless manner. It feels like you are just working like a robot, without any interest or joy.
Usually, someone with severe depression has difficulty even getting out of bed. They withdraw from society and friends. They may even start thinking about death. But this condition does not happen overnight.
Many people work, have family lives, and maintain friendships for a long time with depression. But at one point, it becomes unbearable. So how do you know for sure if you have symptoms of depression? The first and most important thing is to talk to your doctor about it and get the necessary advice and treatment.
What are the common symptoms of depression?
Depression isn't just a feeling of sadness. It can also affect us physically. Check out the chart below to see if you have any of these symptoms.
| Type of symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Sleep problems | Inability to sleep at night, or sleeping too much. |
| Physical pain | Things like headaches and back pain that come for no particular reason. |
| Weakness | Feeling tired all the time, feeling lazy even doing small tasks. |
| Difficulty concentrating | Difficulty keeping your mind focused on something, such as work or reading a book. |
| Guilty feelings | Feeling worthless and constantly regretting mistakes. |
| Loss of interest in previous hobbies | Things that I used to really enjoy (e.g. watching movies, listening to music, meeting friends) are now a thing of the past. |
| Changes in diet | Sudden loss of appetite or overeating. |
Do you think this will just get better on its own?
It's easy to forget about these feelings, thinking, "This sadness will go away with time." But that's not really the case. If you ignore this situation, it's more likely to get worse than better.
The first step is to accept what is happening to you. Then take proactive steps to overcome this situation.
Some people think that there is nothing they can do about it, that they just have to live with it. That is a wrong attitude. There are many ways you can help.
So what can be done?
Okay, so the next step is to add a little change to your lifestyle. Try changing your daily routine a little.
It's true, it's hard to do these things when you're feeling down. How much easier is it to just sit on the couch and watch TV all day than to go out and exercise? But you need to give yourself a little push.
Imagine signing up with a friend to go to the gym. Then you'll feel a sense of obligation to go. And after you've done that new habit, give yourself a little reward. Do something you love.
Get plugged back in to life. Maybe you can start doing something you loved as a child again. It will help you breathe new life into your life.
Be a little creative. Think about the things you enjoyed doing at different times in your life. This situation didn't happen overnight, so it will take some time to get back to normal. You have to be patient with it.
Go beyond 'acting' to get help.
While lifestyle changes and new hobbies can help a lot, sometimes they are not enough. Medication and counseling are also powerful solutions.
If you're already going to counseling, but your condition is getting worse day by day, that's a good sign that you should consider pharmacological treatment. Talk to your doctor about this openly.
It is very important to get support.
You may already be taking medication, but if you still feel unwell or feel that your current treatment plan is not enough, talk to your doctor about it. Don't be afraid or embarrassed.
Sometimes, along with medication, other treatments may be needed. Here are some other ways to help you get over this situation:
- Join a support group with people who have had similar experiences. Talking to people who are going through the same problems as you is a great source of strength.
- Spend time with friends instead of being alone. Share your feelings with someone you trust.
- Write about your feelings in a diary. This will make it easier to understand how your moods change and explain them to your doctor.
- Be active. If you don't feel like going to the gym, at least go for a walk in the park or take a yoga class. When we exercise, our bodies release chemicals called endorphins, which naturally make us feel happy.
When you're feeling down, you don't have to pretend to be okay. Don't suffer alone. Talking honestly with your doctor about how you're feeling and how you're going about your daily activities will go a long way toward helping you feel better in the long run.
Take-Home Message
- It is possible to appear normal on the outside even when you are depressed. This is called "high-functioning depression."
- Don't ignore symptoms like sleep problems, body aches, and loss of interest.
- This situation will not get better on its own. If you ignore it, it can get worse.
- Lifestyle changes, exercise, and hobbies can provide relief.
- The most important thing is to seek professional help. Talk openly with your doctor about this and seek counseling or medication.
- You are not alone. Reach out to support groups, friends, and family for help.
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