"High functioning depression is when someone seems to have it all together on the outside, but on the inside, they are severely sad."
– Carol Landau, PhD
Do you ever feel like you have 2 sides of yourself that you show the world? One is a side where you have it all together and the other struggles with severe sadness?
At one time, mental health issues came with a stigma. Thankfully, Hollywood stars like Kristen Bell, Brooke Shields, Gwyneth Paltrow, Owen Wilson, and Jim Carrey have raised awareness about depression due to their own struggles.
Did you know that there are levels of depression?
Some people may have high functioning and some people may have low functioning depression.
What you will learn in this article:
- Difference between high functioning and low functioning depression
- How to deal with high functioning depression
Ways To Deal With High Functioning Depression:
Hypnotherapy. The holiday season is especially difficult for people that struggle with depression. Many people do not have the support system that they need. Hypnotherapy, when combined with tools, meditation and sometimes even therapy, can help you to feel much lighter about your life.
Headspace. Headspace is a free app that helps you to treat your head right. These are specific meditations taught by Andy Puddicombe that have been refined over thousands of years for your modern lifestyle.
High Functioning Depression and Low Functioning Depression
High functioning allows you to put on a happy face and hide your depression from the world. Low functioning depression makes it difficult to even get out of bed or to do daily tasks.
High functioning is not better though. High-functioning people tend to avoid getting help because they can live and function with their depression. Chronic sadness creates health, emotional and mental problems that sometimes become too great to handle.
According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability. People that struggle with high functioning depression tend to be overachievers. This also afflicts more women than men.
Don’t struggle alone. Find as many ways to deal with high functioning depression as possible, including letting people know that you struggle.
Anxiety and depression tend to have similar traits and experiences. Depression can bring on anxiety and vice versa. Watch this video to see if this sounds like you.
I specialize in panic attack relief, depression, and mood-related issues. I work to calm your stressors.
If you live in the LA area, I have appointments available in my professional Tarzana office.
Don’t live near me? Or simply don’t want to leave your home? No problem! I also work via Skype or a video chat session. Contact me for more information.
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Why Becoming Ugly May Decrease Anxiety
Hypnosis for Social Anxiety
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