High-Functioning DepressionSigns You Shouldn’t Ignore

What is high-functioning depression?

High-functioning depression is a term used to describe how some people are able to function in their daily activities despite having ongoing depression. It is not a recognized medical term or clinical diagnosis, but it does accurately describe how some people are able to carry on with work, school, and other responsibilities, despite suffering inwardly with depression symptoms such as hopelessness, fatigue, and loss of interest.

Also called functional depression, high-functioning depression can overlap with persistent depressive disorder (PDD or dysthymia). This is a type of recurrent low-grade depression where you persistently feel mildly depressed. While the symptoms of PDD are not as debilitating as major depression, they tend to last a long time—at least two years. Sometimes high-functioning depression can remain at mild, dysthymia levels; other times it can progress to major depression, where your symptoms become severe.

When you have high-functioning depression, it can feel like you’re constantly sad or down, or have lost interest in activities you used to enjoy. Even if you’re still able to handle your responsibilities at work or school, you may feel like you’re about to fall apart at any moment. You don’t have to wait until you can no longer cope to seek help, though. There are proven strategies that can boost your mood and energy levels and improve your outlook. The first step is to recognize the symptoms of high-functioning depression.

Signs you are experiencing high-functioning depression

The symptoms of depression can affect people very differently. How visible those symptoms are to other people isn’t a measure of their seriousness. Someone who outwardly seems fine may still be suffering greatly on the inside.

The key sign of high-functioning depression is that you’re able to cover over your struggles in at least some aspects of your life. You may be able to keep pushing through depression symptoms in all parts of your life, or you may be able to fulfill your work responsibilities during the week, for example, but then feel so overwhelmed at the weekend you have to cancel all your social obligations.

High-functioning depression symptoms include:

• Persistent low mood, low energy, and fatigue.
• Loss of interest or loss of joy (anhedonia) in things that used to bring you pleasure, such as pursuing hobbies or interacting with close friends.
• Trouble concentrating, indecisiveness, or having negative thoughts about yourself.
• Sleep or appetite changes (sleeping and eating too much or too little).
• Physical symptoms such as unexplained aches and pains or digestive issues.
• Irritability, emotional numbness, and restlessness.
• Ability to mask your symptoms from others, or to push through the symptoms to maintain work, social, or caregiving obligations.

Why it often goes unnoticed

When you’re able to keep your outward functioning intact, it’s easy for other people to miss the signs that you’re depressed. If you’re still able to keep all your plates spinning at work or school, you may even miss the symptoms yourself. It’s common for people with high-functioning depression to dismiss their symptoms as normal stress, a side effect of overwork or perfectionist tendencies, or “just the way I am at the moment.”

While mild depression is the most common type of depression, its symptoms are easier to mask or ignore than major or clinical depression. You may feel weighed down by negativity and stripped of energy and motivation, but still be able to complete your daily tasks, even if it takes much more effort than it used to.

There can also be a stigma about mental health conditions such as depression that prevents people acknowledging their struggles. Some men, for example, may see depression symptoms as a failing of their masculinity and refuse to acknowledge any emotional suffering. They might even mask how they’re feeling with anger, reckless behavior, or substance abuse.

Whatever the reasons for your functional depression going unnoticed, it’s important to take steps to address the condition. There’s no need to wait for your symptoms to deteriorate to the point where you’re unable to continue hiding it.

Coping strategies when you have functional depression

These strategies can help boost your mood and improve how you feel when you have high-functioning depression:

Reach out to someone. Even though you may have been able to hide or mask your depression symptoms, talking face-to-face with someone about what you’re going through can help boost your mood and feel less alone in your struggles.

Get active. Research has shown that exercise can be as effective as antidepressants at treating mild depression, without the risk of any side effects. Take a short walk and see how much better you feel afterwards.

Change negative thinking patterns. Do you have a negative voice in your head that is always telling you that you’re not good enough or keeps you awake at night worrying about things you can’t control? Reframing these negative thoughts can help silence your inner critic and boost your self-esteem. Instead of thinking “I’ll never be able to pay the mortgage and will end up homeless,” reframe the thought to, “I’ve made it through bad times before. I can do it again.”

Express gratitude. Finding even small things that you are grateful about—a summer breeze, a pet’s wagging tail, a phone call from a friend—can bring hope back into your day. Try journaling your gratitude each day.

Adopt a mindfulness practice. Mindfulness keeps you focused on the present, preventing you from worrying about the future or the past. Try our Mindful Breathing Meditation.

Improve your sleep. Feeling tired can increase stress and anxiety and depress your mood. Improving your sleep environment and bedtime habits can help you sleep better.

When and how to seek professional help

If coping strategies aren’t enough or your functional depression symptoms persist or intensify, it may be time to seek professional help. The most common treatments for high-functional depression include:

Therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, or a blend of approaches can be extremely effective treatment for depression. You can ask your primary care provider for a therapist referral or to find an online therapist, read our article on best online therapy platforms.

Medication. While medication isn’t a cure for high-functioning depression, it may help relieve symptoms, which in turn can make therapy and coping strategies more effective. Commonly prescribed antidepressants include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac and Zoloft, serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as Cymbalta, and atypical antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin.

Last updated or reviewed on November 5, 2025