(Trigger warning for self-harm and suicide)
You can be on top of your game and still drown in the blues.
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a medical illness that leaves you feeling down, tired, and predisposed to negative thoughts and troubled self-esteem. It has many faces and most people recognise one, but not the rest.
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When you say “depression”, most people would picture someone slouching over themselves and staring broodily into space. No one would even think to place the word “depression” next to the face of a constantly smiling person with high-academics or a flourishing career.
And that is the issue here.
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To the naked eye, maybe this person is able to maintain relationships, friendships, and a home, but deep down, even getting out of bed could take massive willpower (something that a depressed individual sometimes lacks) and effort. It takes a lot for a person with this illness to carry out tasks that a healthy person can do naturally. This could manifest into physical injuries such as self-harm or lowered immune system.
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Despite all their achievements and their dependable ability to “show up”, high-functioning depression can still take a huge toll — feeling empty, hopeless, irritable, exhausted — and can end up spiralling out of control in silence.
This is why sometimes we hear the shocking news of someone unexpectedly taking their own life, and all we can say is, “I never saw this coming.”
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TLDR; people suffering from high-functioning depression need just as much help as people suffering from typical depression, and we are in no place to judge how a person might be feeling. Despite sitting on the higher end of the functional ability spectrum, the treatment options for these patients are still the same with other patients of depression such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), talk therapy, meditation, exercise, medications and more.
If you or a loved one is struggling, please don’t wait any longer. Help is always available and you deserve to live a full, happy life. Do not hesitate to reach out to Befrienders for 24-hour emotional support at 03-76272929.
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*Cover image via Getty
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