Sufferers of high-functioning depression could have these four symptoms
1. They may be relying more on vices of choice
That might mean drinking more alcohol than usual, taking drugs, eating more ice cream, or playing more video games – whatever behaviour serves as an emotional crutch. “If you’re feeling sad or lonely or otherwise ‘off,’ you may drink more wine more often to cover it up,” Dr Landau says. “This kind of self-medicating is especially troubling because substance abuse adds an extra layer of care that you need.” In addition to being addictive, drugs and alcohol especially can exacerbate symptoms of depression, anxiety and sleep problems, further hindering people’s abilities to cope.
Watch out for these 8 signs stress is making you sick.
2. They’re a successful, Type A personality
Affluent, educated people are, surprisingly, more likely to have high-functioning depression.” The paradox of high-functioning depression is that these are very often people who are educated and have important jobs,” Dr Stamper says. “They have the benefit of education and status, yet often their careers can be huge stressors.” Dr Landau says she works mostly with women whose lives and list of personal accomplishments is long and impressive. “In some ways, you’re better off as a low-functioning person,” she says, “because high-functioning people often don’t allow themselves to have all the necessary support.”
Consider suggesting these 10 habits of people who never get stressed..
3. They’re pretty grouchy
Irritability is another common symptom of high-functioning depression, and it’s especially problematic for women, according to Dr Landeau. “People are more likely to see an irritable woman as a ‘bitch,’ rather than showing concern, like, ‘Hey, you don’t seem the same lately. Are you okay?” she says. Because women are conditioned at an early age to be less assertive and to suppress “troublesome” emotions like anger, more subtle symptoms like irritability can be missed. Consider that some one in four women have been, or will be, depressed at least once in their lives, according to Landau, and irritability may be the chief sign.
These science-backed ways to overcome depression naturally are worth sharing.
4. There is a family history
Experts agree that knowing your family’s history is essential for predicting and diagnosing depression. Studies show that the more relatives you have who have been diagnosed with mood disorders or drug or alcohol dependence, the more likely it is that you will too. “Knowing your genetics and family history can be enormously helpful,” says Dr Riba. Life changes and stress can trigger your biological predisposition to depression, so knowing your history can help you not only predict, but shape, your future.
Written by Brook Bolen. This article first appeared in Reader’s Digest. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, here’s our best subscription offer.