"Decoding Functional Depression: 5 Key Differentiators from Clinical Depression"
High functioning depression, also known as functional depression, is a term used to describe a mental state where a person can function normally but experiences a gradual loss of interest in social activities and feelings of emptiness or numbness. While it is not a clinical diagnosis, recognizing the signs of high functioning depression can help individuals address their mental health early on. These signs include feeling empty inside despite appearing fine on the outside, lacking enthusiasm or pleasure in activities, using distractions like social media and junk food to numb emotions, finding social events exhausting, and experiencing self-neglect when alone. It is important to seek help and work on mental health as soon as these changes are noticed, rather than waiting for depression to worsen. Clinical depression, on the other hand, is diagnosed when a person presents with five or more specific symptoms for at least a couple of weeks, including persistent low mood, loss of interest, disturbed sleep, changes in appetite and weight, fatigue, agitation or slowing of movements, poor concentration, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and suicidal thoughts or urges.