High-Functioning Depression

It is easy to assume that when someone has depression, it is easy to know they are suffering. However, that is not always the case with high-functioning depression. It is difficult to tell when someone is depressed when they are still high-functioning. Taking the time to learn more about this mental health condition can help you determine when you or your loved one should seek professional help. 

What Is High-Functioning Depression?

People with high-functioning depression often appear normal on the outside. Externally, they appear to be okay, and there is nothing wrong. They can seem upbeat, happy, and even outgoing. However, internally, they are suffering. 

They can experience the same symptoms as clinical and major depressive disorders. While these conditions can make it difficult to manage day-to-day demands, people who have high-functioning depression can still function and manage various tasks. What you do not see is them suffering when no one else is around. 

What Does High-Functioning Depression Look Like?

High-functioning depression looks like other types of depressive disorders, with the main difference is people are still able to function. While their outward appearance looks like everything is going fine for them, internally, they are struggling. People with high-functioning depression can maintain a job, do well in school, care for their children, pay bills, and manage other responsibilities. 

For example, a person who is depressed may not be able to get out of bed or lack the motivation to go to work. A person with high-functioning depression can get out of bed and go to work. 

However, the amount of energy they need to maintain functioning is much more than someone without depression. This is why they may excel at work or school. Yet, what you do not see is them not getting out of bed on the weekends or turning to alcohol or drugs to deal with their symptoms. 

High-Functioning Depression Symptoms

The symptoms of high-function depression can include:

• No longer finding pleasure in hobbies and activities
• Difficulties focusing and concentrating
• Feeling worthless, hopeless, helpless, or sad
• Thoughts of self-harm and suicide
• Excessive sleeping or insomnia
• Turning to food for comfort or not eating due to lack of appetite
• Noticeable weight fluctuations 
• Relying on alcohol or substances to self-medicate symptoms
• Irritability
• Uncontrolled crying

Do I Have High-Functioning Depression?

High-functioning depression symptoms can vary from one person to another. Ask yourself the following questions to help you determine if you may have this condition:

• Do you experience depressive symptoms that persist for longer than two weeks?
• Can you maintain certain aspects of your daily routines, like work or school, but ignore others until you need to take care of them?
• Do you find you exert a lot of energy just to manage specific daily responsibilities?
• Does your appetite change frequently based on how you feel?
• Do you use alcohol or drugs to try to feel better and mask your symptoms?
• Do you find it difficult to maintain an outward appearance that makes it appear like everything is okay for others?
• Do you ever think of hurting yourself or that things would be better if you weren’t around?

High-Functioning Depression and Alcohol 

High-functioning depression requires people to develop various coping mechanisms to get through their daily routines. Unfortunately, some people turn to alcohol to manage their symptoms. While alcohol is considered a depressant, its initial effects act more like a stimulant. As such, people can find these effects a relief to their depressive symptoms.

However, continued alcohol use leads to tolerance. As tolerance builds, it diminishes the desired effects, requiring people to consume larger amounts of alcohol. Eventually, this ongoing cycle turns into dependence, where the person needs alcohol to function and get through their day. 

As they continue to rely on alcohol, addiction takes over. At this stage, drinking becomes a top priority for the person. Usually, by the time someone is addicted to alcohol, their depressive symptoms will also have worsened. This is because alcohol alters how the brain functions. Yet, people with high-functioning depression and alcohol addiction can still function and manage their daily responsibilities and still appear normal to those around them.   

In some cases, some people can develop alcohol use disorder (AUD) first and be high-functioning alcoholics, and depression later. High-functioning alcoholics are able to maintain their daily routines and appear normal to others while struggling with alcohol addiction internally. 

Dual Diagnosis High-Functioning Depression Treatment

Dual diagnosis treatment is vital when someone has high-functioning depression and AUD or another substance use disorder (SUD). Only treating one condition or the other typically results in relapse. Treating both conditions simultaneously ensures the person receives comprehensive care to address their depression and addiction. Some of the various treatment options include:

• Detox: Detox is an essential first step to overcoming addiction by ridding the body of alcohol or other substances. 
• Residential treatment: Inpatient treatment can be beneficial for people who lack a supportive home environment or those who need a highly structured setting with round-the-clock supervision.
• Partial hospitalization: This care level provides intensive and structured treatment during the day and allows participants to return home in the evenings. 
• Intensive outpatient: Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) provide more flexibility for people who need to maintain their daily responsibilities while still receiving dual-diagnosis treatment. 
• Outpatient: Outpatient care provides continued support as people gradually fully transition back into their everyday routines. 
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): Various FDA-approved medications can be used to help address cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with AUD, as well as make it easier to manage depressive symptoms. 

Get Help for High-Functioning Depression and Addiction in California

You don’t have to struggle with high-functioning depression and addiction to make it one day to the next. The caring and compassionate team at Phoenix Rising Recovery provides access to comprehensive and personalized care plans to help you overcome addiction and effectively manage your depression. Contact us today to discover a better substance-free future with improved mental well-being.