Almost everyone is familiar with the idea of clinical depression. Individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder often show signs of symptoms that people can pick up on fairly quickly.
Regardless of appearing fine on the surface, people can still feel unhappy on the inside.
For people with high functioning depression, this may be the case. Those individuals are able to smile through the unhappiness and appear fine in social situations.
Despite its absence as a clinical diagnosis, high-functioning depression often describes people with less debilitating symptoms of depression.
If you think you or a loved one is battling high functioning depression, continue reading to learn more about the signs and symptoms and get help with Steps For Change today.
What Is High Functioning Depression?
People with high functioning depression are often diagnosed with Dysthymia or Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD). PDD includes symptoms like a lack of energy, constant fatigue, and loss of interest in daily activities.
PDD affects nearly 1.5% of adults in the United States. For individuals to be diagnosed with dysthymia, they have to be experiencing symptoms for a least two years.
Identifying a person struggling with PDD can be very difficult because the symptoms gradually grow in intensity. It’s not until the symptoms get severe that they begin to notice a problem.
Individuals battling this mental illness have the kind of personality of preserving through their genuine emotions. Their friends, family, and peers might see them as perfectionists and go-getters, which can decrease the likelihood of identifying high functioning depression down the line.
Signs and Symptoms of High Functioning Depression
High-functioning depression, or PDD, is seen as a mental health condition that a mental health professional should diagnose, such as a psychiatrist or therapist.
In order to make a proper diagnosis, there are certain criteria that describe the symptoms. It has many symptoms similar to major depression, but they tend to be less severe.
Symptoms of high-functioning depression include:
- Decreased appetite
- An excessive amount of sleeping or insomnia
- Lack of energy and fatigue
- Lack of interest in once enjoyed activities
- Difficulty concentrating and or making decisions
- Feels of sadness and hopelessness
In conjunction with these symptoms, a person must meet certain criteria to accurately meet the diagnosis for PDD, which can include:
- Depressed mood characterized by the about symptoms must occur on most days for a minimum of two years
- The individual has to have never experienced any period of mania or hypomania, euphoric or energetic mood
- Depressive symptoms cant be better explained by another mental illness, medical condition, or substance use disorder
- Symptoms must cause some impairment in one or more areas of everyday functioning
- Individuals with PDD may also meet the criteria for major depression
What’s the Difference Between Major Depressive Disorder?
The most significant difference between major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder is the duration of symptoms. Signs and symptoms of PDD must be present in the individual for two years in order to be diagnosed.
On the other hand, individuals with major depressive disorder will go through major depressive episodes are separated by two months.
Depression Treatment in Minnesota
In some cases, individuals are able to find ways and cope with their depression. Some people believe that they can never get better, but that’s not true.
This thought process can even worsen your mental state and make matters worse.
Fortunately, people can take steps to help them cope with their depressive symptoms like staying active, watching their diet, or getting the right amount of rest.
While these methods can help ease the symptoms, they are not ideal. Some individuals will benefit greatly from seeing a therapist or going through a mental health treatment program such as the one at Steps For Change.
Our experienced mental health professionals utilize the best practices for depression treatment in Minnesota.
Get Help at Steps For Change
Don’t let depression control your life any longer. Steps For Change will work with you or your loved one to create a treatment program that works for your specific needs.
Whether it be online or from home, individual therapy can help you improve depressive symptoms and create a healthier life.
Book a call today to learn more about depression treatment in Minnesota with Steps for Change.
