Depression is the umbrella term that covers many different types and it doesn't always present the same signs and symptoms. One of the most difficult to recognize is called High Functioning Depression. One of its key characteristics is that the person who has acts like a non disordered person at least on the surface. It goes by different names, officially known as Persistent Depressive Disorder or PDD and previously Dysthemia.
People with PDD continues to function as normal, masked by their success, it can cause issues since there is general disbelief that nothing is wrong even when they cry out for help. This in itself stems from continued lacked of knowledge surrounding mental health issues and the stigma around it. There seems to be fear in the unknown so although we may look like sunshine on the outside we're expending an herculean effort to hide the storm inside. To truly understand PDD here are 8 things you must know about High Functioning Depression.
1. They Pretend To Be OK Even though They Aren't
Have you ever complemented someone for their incredible work and response is always something like "I know, I must have just gotten lucky" or "I know you're just being nice"," I just got lucky today I guess". They might be suffering from Imposter Syndrome. This a psychological phenomena makes us believe that we are incompetent, inadequate failures despite solid empirical evidence showing otherwise.
We feel like a little bit like con artists who are bamboozling into thinking that we're not competent no matter how qualified we actually are. Although we find it difficult to believe in our own thoughts, validation from another person gives us outside a sense of confirmation and sincere encouragement to disproved our false beliefs
2. There Is Rarely Obvious Proof Of The Struggle And Need For Help
This lack of visible proof usually has others calling them liars, lazy and drama queens, when they finally share whats going on inside. I'm sure you can imagine how discouraging it is for them to ever reach out again. The truth is living through PDD can mean getting through the basics of everyday life. Work is incredibly challenging, yes they can get things done but just at the baseline. It is hard for people to believe that someone is struggling since they don't appear to be falling apart or showing any other obvious signs.
3. Their Good Days Might Just Be Our Normal Everyday
How would an average day go? Maybe you wake up on time even though you didn't sleep so well, took a shower and then head to work. At work you complete that the task given you. You see pizzas in the at the office but exercised your will power by refusing to eat one because you want to be healthier. If your day means that you've got home, have dinner and calmly go to sleep, feeling productive since you've got work done and you don't feel anxious about your life or your career. Does that sound pretty boring and normal? guess what, that was a rather good day for someone with PDD. Please try not to be dismissive if you see them happy over doing something that we do normally everyday.
4. Bad Days Are Overwhelming And Feels Impossible
So realizing how an average good day is to someone with PDD. Can you imagine what a bad day is like to them? As shared by one person, a bad day has them feeling guilty for wasting time with the struggle to wake-up, then going to work and having their brain gets stuck all day in loading mode like a YouTube video with bad Wi-Fi. Other things that could have happen are crying without any real reason and just allowing many of the struggles to take over. For example, people with PDD struggle through their issues but still able to clean the house, but on a day like this, they might just able to complete cleaning a mug or a single plate while the rest is just too much for.
Be patient with them, they're not stupid or lazy it might just be their bad day.
5. Getting Through Bad Days Requires Massive Amounts Effort
Yes, on top of feeling terrible there is a massive energy drain in the mediocre work they manage to accomplish. One bad day actually takes longer than usual and takes a lot out of them. They are also losing the capacity to deal with people and their surroundings that gets them frustrated even more. Everything adds-up and takes exponentially more and more energy, when they're already running on empty. To use an analogy, it's like a bad night of eating in a fancy restaurant. We're spending so much more and the food sucks, and so now, we're broke and still hungry and the situation worsens with food poisoning but we still have to drive everyone home.
6. They Frequently Struggle To Focus And We Are Not At The Top Of Their Game
This isn't as easy as telling themselves once in a while to stop daydreaming, they have to constantly keep a conscious tap in focusing on their work. They are well aware that losing their focus can result in misunderstandings and distractions that prevent completion of everything. Blanking out and staring off into the distance becomes a regular habit if they're not well understood. Be understanding if they seem to be ignoring you and think that what you're saying is not important. They might just be at the height of the internal wrestling match to keep their depression in check.
7. Difficulty In Performing Daily Routine
Part of what makes living with High Functioning Depression overwhelming is the sheer exhaustion from routine activities that most people will be able do without skipping a beat. They think that it shouldn't be that hard and feel like a waste of space. They just have a restricted finite supply of energy that just isn't being used efficiently so, when they need help. It means that the energy required is already drained by keeping up that "all is good" face. The truth is, they just don't know how to go about it and all that internal self-criticisms leads to self-doubt. Do I deserve help? Do I really want to improve? so yes, High Functioning Depression pretty much just means that they can hold a job and look okay. It doesn't mean they're at zero risk of self-harm. They would like to help themselves but sometimes they can't do it on their own.
8. Asking And Receiving Help Is Not A Sign Of Weakness
People with High Functioning Depression are self-aware of how different they are and know of what is often said about them, so they also understand that when things gets rough, the the best course of action is to reach out for appropriate help. Reaching out isn't a show of weakness, it shows that they are strong enough to face and acknowledge their shortcomings it also shows that they're are strong enough to withstand that scary step of opening up to others and letting them in.If you think that they are stubborn and walled up, just remember hermit crabs are pretty squishy inside. so if they ask for help please encourage or give them assistance.
Final Thoughts
Persistent Depressive Disorder also known as High Functioning Depression or Dythima is not just drama or laziness. Just you don't see signs, doesn't mean that it doesn't exists. They need our help and support. It can come in many forms from therapy to religion to intense work on self-help, there is no singular correct method for PDD sufferers. Like anyone else they have the right to enjoy their lives and have good health although this might involve having periods of despair and stagnancy and that's okay. You're simple belief and willingness to understand is a step in the progress towards eliminating the stigma of mental health
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