High-functioning depression is something you see countless people go through on a daily basis- whether you realize it or not.
Sure, you may see they have a smile bright enough to illuminate the skies, but what you don’t see is that they’re carrying an unbearable weight.
You see these people everyday, even if you don’t realize it. They are the ones with contagious smiles and laughs.
Their eyes shine like a warm sun, and make you feel safe and at peace. On the outside, they look like they have everything figured out; their lives seem perfect. They are the ones who have told you about their dreams for years- and now they’re living them to the fullest. It seems they have everything they could ever want, and they absolutely deserve it.
But there is something you don’t see.
Things are different when they’re alone. All those smiles and laughs are tucked away, and the the tears start to flow.
It’s nothing to be ashamed of, but they cry in secret to keep others from feeling the same things they are going through. They cry because they are desperately trying to find the inner-strength to keep moving forward. They cry because their bones and muscles are aching for a rest they will never get. They cry because bills are piling up and money isn’t coming in, even though they work endlessly. They cry because there is an emptiness inside of them that pierces their very core.
And yet…they still smile.
As I said, you see these people every single day. They are your neighbor, your sister, your mother, your brother, your boss, and your partner. They realize they are far from perfect, but that doesn’t stop them from trying to be a better version of themselves. One thing you can say about people with high-functioning depression is, they always see that the needs of others are met before their own.
Yes, they hide behind that bright smile, but every day, they are dealing with depression. High-functioning depression, to be precise.
It’s a debilitating mood disorder that’s suppressed just enough for someone to perform their daily responsibilities.
Some signs to look out for:
- Do they become irritable and agitated easily?
- Are they too hard on themselves?
- Do they tell you they feel like they are “wasting time?”
- Are they overly-anxious?
- Have they started dismissing things they once held important?
It’s important for these people to know that they matter- that they are enough. And most of all, they need to know that someone cares.
By Raven Fon
