February 4th, 2026
Most of us are familiar with the term “depression” but, what about “high-functioning depression”? High-functioning depression can be somewhat of a double-edged sword. It essentially means someone is internally battling symptoms of depression, but they are simultaneously able to effectively maintain their daily responsibilities (job, school, caring for family, etc.).
The ability to be highly efficient in yourdouble-edged daily life while dealing with symptoms of depression has a downside: it sometimes means people don’t ever realize they are struggling! When someone is able to stay productive, depression can go unnoticed—even by the person experiencing it.
They continue meeting responsibilities and getting tasks done, all while carrying a persistent sense of sadness or emotional heaviness they may not fully understand—but overtime these negative emotions take their toll.
Untreated symptoms of depression can eventually lead people to hit a wall, potentially experiencing a more severe depressive episode that seemingly comes out of nowhere.
Everyone deserves to feel excited and happy about their life. It’s vital that you don’t let your ability to properly manage life responsibilities get in the way of finding support.
Learning about high-functioning depression—including its signs, symptoms, and treatment options—can help you recognize whether you might be struggling and whether a consultation with a mental health professional could be beneficial.
With the right support, it’s possible to not only meet life’s responsibilities, but to truly thrive—feeling fulfilled, balanced, and happy. Keep reading to learn more!
The term “high-functioning” in the mental health space refers to someone who is able to do things that other people with their condition cannot do. You might hear people say “ She has [disorder/condition] but she’s high-functioning”.
In the case of depression, a condition that can often impede someone from maintaining relationships or getting work done, it means the person is still able to work, meet obligations, and appear “fine” on the outside in a way society considers normal. Behind the scenes, however, maintaining the appearance of being “normal” often requires an enormous amount of emotional and mental energy.
High-functioning depression is an informal term. It is not a diagnosis in and of itself and is not found in the DSM-5-TR. Instead, it is used to describe people who have depression symptoms, such as feelings of hopelessness, a persistent, low, or depressed mood, and fatigue, and still continue to meet professional, social, and daily obligations.
Those with high-functioning depression seem “fine” to others. In many cases, they present as cheerful, sociable, or put-together. However, people with high-functioning depression still have depression. High-functioning depression might not look like the stereotypical form of depression; it comes with internalized struggles that are concealed by a person’s competence.
Functional depression is another term for high-functioning depression. People frequently use these terms synonymously to describe a person who is successful in daily life while living with depression. Some people might even use the terms “hidden depression” or “masked depression.”
People with high-functioning depression often have similar symptoms to those seen in major depressive disorder.[1] You may notice these symptoms in yourself or a loved one with depression. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to:
Now that we’ve talked about the clinical symptoms a person with high-functioning depression might experience, what are the signs? It’s important to have real-life examples so that you know what high-functioning depression can look like.
Keep in mind, anybody can have high-function depression, even people you would define as “having it all”. For instance, a straight A’s student at Harvard who never misses an assignment, or even a successful business man who just launched a new venture can secretly be dealing with high-functioning depression.
Here are some possible red flags to be aware of.
Enormous effort goes into trying to maintain this 'functional' exterior, and even if others think you are doing great, you might feel like a failure or as though you’re hanging on by a thread. Using so much energy to appear “fine” inevitably lead to emotional/ physical burn out and a cycle of negative thoughts, such as:
Of course these thoughts bother you, but you get up and get things done anyway, hence the term “high-functioning”. It’s also important to note that there are different types of depression. The type of depressive disorder you have can influence what depression looks like for you.
Persistent depressive disorder (PDD), formerly known as dysthymia, is a type of depressive disorder characterized by ongoing, low-grade depression symptoms that last for at least two years.[3] A person with PDD may not have the same symptom severity as a person with major depressive disorder (MDD). Nonetheless, PDD does affect how you feel in day-to-day life.
Persistent depressive disorder symptoms include:
Ok so, what does this have to do with high-functioning depression right? Before telling you, let’s clarify one thing: Persistent depressive disorder and high-functioning depression are not the same. Like we mentioned before, high-functioning isn’t a diagnosis, and people with various conditions can be “high-functioning.”
That said, high-functioning depression and PDD can overlap with each other and oftentimes do.
The chronic nature of PDD and its lower-level symptoms can mean that a diagnosable (and treatable) depressive disorder is overlooked. A person with persistent depressive disorder might recognize that they tend to feel down in the dumps or don’t feel excited about life, but they may be more likely to function in areas like work, school, or the home (high-functioning).
Speaking of functionality? It takes a great deal of energy to mask depression, but many people with high-functioning depression do just that. Since people with high-functioning depression tend to seem as though they’re okay, they frequently lack external support.
The ability to hide depression symptoms and succeed in daily life may also lead you to gaslight yourself. When the gaslighting is combined with a lack of recognition and support from others, it can make it even harder to get help (or realize you need help).
Masking depression symptoms can only go on for so long before it leads to burnout. Your emotional reserves deplete over time, and suppressed feelings build up. At this point, you may experience a more extreme depressive episode that seems like it came out of nowhere.
Being open to exploring your feelings and seeking professional guidance can help you identify if you have functional depression/ high-functioning depression. Getting treatment can help you stop the draining cycle in its tracks. Additionally, a depression test can help you understand whether you are possibly experiencing symptoms of depression or not.
The (PHQ-9) is typically used as an initial screening tool for depression. While these screening tools are not a formal diagnosis, they are a helpful first step in determining if you might benefit from professional support.
You don’t have to hit rock bottom to get help for depression. Effective treatment for depression typically involves therapy, medication, or a combination of both.[4] Usually, these treatments are combined with lifestyle changes. For example, physical activity, implementing mindfulness practices, and creating healthy routines that address issues like trouble sleeping.
Depression therapy can be a game-changer for people with functional depression.
Often, therapy for depression involves:
Finding a depression therapist (a therapist who specializes in working with people who have depression) is ideal. That way, you can be assured that they understand what you’re going through and how to help.
Do you have high-functioning depression—or think you might? You’re not alone, and help is available. At Clarity Clinic, we provide compassionate, person-centered mental health care tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re seeking an initial diagnosis or are ready to begin treatment, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
We make it easy to find the right provider for you. From experienced depression therapists to highly skilled psychiatrists, our clinicians work together to help you feel better—both externally and internally.
Clarity Clinic offers a full range of depression treatment options, including online and in-person therapy, psychiatry services, medication management, TMS, and structured outpatient programs such as PHP/IOP.
With convenient clinic locations throughout Chicago and online appointments available across Illinois, getting expert mental health care has never been more accessible. Click the button below to explore our providers and take the next step toward feeling like yourself again.
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References
[1] What does high-functioning depression look like?. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.-a). https://health.clevelandclinic.org/high-functioning-depression
[2] Melrose, S. (2011). Perfectionism and Depression: Vulnerabilities Nurses Need to Understand. Nursing Research and Practice, 2011, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/858497
[3] Patel, R. K. (2024, August 11). Persistent depressive disorder. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541052/
[4] American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Depression Across Three Age Cohorts. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/depression-guideline
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