Not everyone who has depression feels incapacitated. In fact, some people have what they term high-functioning depression. While mental health experts may not use this term, they agree that anyone with depression should seek help. Depression treatment can ease symptoms of the condition. Plus, therapy can help patients who may also battle addictions along with their depression. At Baltimore Detox Center, our team of experts can help those with high-functioning depression feel more content and at ease with their lives.
What Is High-Functioning Depression?
High-functioning depression is not an official psychological term. However, it can mean someone who seems to be high achieving and has depression. Alternatively, some use it to refer to persistent depressive disorder (PDD). PDD is when someone has depression for at least two years with periods of feeling normal between. Often, depression is not as severe as major depressive disorder (MDD). Consequently, people learn how to handle the condition and seem normal to others. But, internally, they struggle with some of the following emotions or thoughts:
- Feelings of low self-worth
- Sadness
- Emptiness
- Guilt
- Hopelessness
Unfortunately, people with high-functioning depression may not get the treatment they need. But, this condition can still disrupt their lives. Plus, it can produce suicidal feelings or substance abuse in those dealing with depression.
Why Does Someone Need Help for Dealing with Depression?
Help for dealing with depression can include therapy or other treatments for co-occurring conditions. For example, some with depression may self-medicate through using alcohol or drugs. Substance abuse may be the only way that friends or family know that someone has a problem with high functioning depression, too.
Not everyone knows the thoughts that someone with depression has. However, external signs of depression could be more apparent. These signs include the following:
- Trouble with school or work performance
- Sleeping more or less than normal
- Eating more or less than usual
- Drinking alcohol more frequently
- Using drugs
- Separating from friends and family or spending a lot of time alone
- Irritability
The above signs don’t always mean that someone has depression. Plus, people with the high functioning form of the condition have learned methods of dealing with depression that hide it from others without addressing the cause. Therefore, the signs of depression may seem subtle. However, encouraging anyone with signs of depression to talk to their doctor or to get into a recovery program could save their life.
Because all forms of depression carry the risk of suicide, they can be fatal conditions. Plus, even for those who don’t have thoughts of suicide, depression reduces the fullness of their lives, can damage relationships, lead to isolation, and produce problems at work or school. Getting professional treatment for depression and for any other conditions that come with it can improve life.
What Is High-Functioning Depression Treatment?
Treatment for high-functioning depression may include only treatment for the mental health issue or add care for other conditions. For example, if someone has high-functioning depression and abuses drugs or alcohol, they may need dual diagnosis addiction treatment. In this type of program, patients get therapy to help them out of depression. At the same time, they receive assistance to stop their addiction.
Treating both addiction and depression together is important. Waiting until recovery from one could put complete healing at risk. For instance, getting over a substance addiction without depression treatment does not eliminate the depressive thoughts that triggered drug abuse. Plus, some people may become depressed when using drugs or alcohol. Therefore, only treating depression without recovery of addiction could only put off a relapse of the depression.
Whether someone has major depression or high-functioning depression, treatment is still important. Because high-functioning depression can last for years, getting treatment as soon as possible could prevent the condition from continuing for years.
Reach Out to Baltimore Detox Center for Help with High-Functioning Depression and Addiction
The combination of addiction and high-functioning depression makes dealing with either condition difficult. Therefore, those who have both need help and support to recover. A dual diagnosis program that treats depression and addiction helps prevent relapses of both by treating the two mental health issues at once.
For more about how we treat depression and addiction, call us at [Direct] or use our online webform to contact us at Baltimore Detox Center. With our resources and professional help, recovery from both addiction and depression can happen.
