I stared at the ceiling, willing my leaden legs to shift. Move from beneath the comfort of the bed toward the unknown of the day. Of course, I knew nothing would change. My husband still served in dry sandy places, the oldest two alternately raged or rebelled, and the little ones needed well-rounded meals, bedtime stories, and extra space to manage mental health struggles.
Meanwhile, I tucked my own high-functioning depression behind the hidden corners of a pasted-on smile.

What is High Functioning Depression?

I grew up afraid and, accustomed to ignoring my feelings, pushed beyond the pain of depression. After all, four children depended on me to function. Provide. Maintain status quo.
Not seeing beyond the carefully applied eye makeup and morning greeting, parents and families that I served as a preschool director didn’t notice my clothes hung on a shrinking frame.
Like others with high-functioning depression, I hid my struggle well. Perhaps you do, too.

Like others with high functioning depression, I hid my struggle well. Perhaps you do, too.#mentalhealthawarenessmonth Click To Tweet

The DSMV classifies high-functioning depression as dysthymia and it is characterized by a “Depressed mood for most of the day, for more days than not, as indicated by either subjective account or observation by others, for at least two years.”

Some of the typical symptoms of high-functioning depression include:

• Feelings of hopelessness
• Loss of or increase in appetite
• Isolation
• Low energy or fatigue
• Poor concentration, forgetfulness, or inability to make decisions
• Insomnia or hypersomnia
• Low self-concept

If you or a loved one lives with the hard-edged reality of the traits above, there are ways to manage. Even live well.

Tips to Help Manage High-Functioning Depression

If you experience two or more of the symptoms listed in the previous section, seek professional help from a Biblical counselor as well as a psychologist. Treatment that combines CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), medication, and several of the following resilience-building activities can lead to controlled depression and even recovery from high-functioning depression.

1. Good things come to those who sweat. Choose your favorite form of exercise and get the heart rate and feel-good hormone levels up at least three times each week.
2. Dear diary. Purchase a blank journal or notebook and list 1-3 people, events, or items for which you are grateful each day. When we express gratitude, the brain releases dopamine and produces serotonin.
3. Back to nature. Share some love and adopt a dog or cat. Proven to help relieve both depression and anxiety, a pet helps prevent isolation and encourages us to engage with others in public settings, as well.
4. Chart your feelings. Track your feelings and note good/difficult days. Are you noticing trends? Triggers? Communicate these to the professionals with whom you are consulting.
5. Trust God. Neither a panacea nor a prop, God will provide the strength you need on the most difficult of days. Those of us who trust in Him know the prayers of a “righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16 NIV).

Other verses that may encourage you are listed below.

Five Bible Verses to Encourage You When You Feel Depressed

• The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:17-18 NIV)

• Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 NIV)

• May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV)

• Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1 NIV)

• But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)

High-functioning depression faded into my past several months after life settled into a predictable rhythm, but some days I sense it poking and prodding for space in the corners of mind.  On those days, I’m reminded of how far I’ve come and I praise God that His mercies are new every morning.

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Peace and grace,
Tammy

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