As a society, we have come a long way when it comes to mental health. Today, we are talking about our mental health more than ever. However, there are still plenty of people whose conditions remain a mystery to many of us.

 One condition which many will struggle to understand is high functioning depression. It can be challenging to spot the signs of a person with high-functioning depression. With this form of depression, someone experiences the common symptoms of depression without it affecting their ability to complete day-to-day activities. From the outside, people with this condition appear fine and normal.

A study by World Health Organization (WHO) shows more than 264 million people of all ages experience depression worldwide. 

Although high functioning depression may not seem ‘severe’, the fact that it goes unrecognized by both the person with the depression and the people around them makes it difficult to deal with and treat.

Here are signs you may have high functioning depression.

You are full of Self-criticism

While struggling with high functioning depression, your thoughts tend to be negative. Your internal dialogue is highly critical. Furthermore, you focus on everything that is wrong about your situation, mainly your shortcomings. You will often feel hopeless and guilt even if your accomplishments are what you aimed to achieve. 

You will often feel and think you are not good enough for the goal you are trying to reach. It is effortless to discredit all you do, in place of the things you haven’t. Learn to appreciate yourself, and be kind to yourself.

You are highly irritable

If you find yourself easily bothered by things that never bothered you, you may be experiencing high functioning depression. Often you will be tempted to blow up at people. Other times the slightest annoyance will reduce you to tears of rage. You quickly get upset about a minor issue and find it difficult to let it go.

Whereas you might seem in control most of the time, you can lose it unexpectedly. If you are not careful, you may isolate yourself from other people. It may not be easy, but learn to share your experiences. Talking about it will ease your irritability. 

However, depression is overlooked in high irritable people. 

You drink or exercise excessively

A high-functioning depression individual will adapt to unhealthy coping mechanisms to drown out their unworthy feelings, guilt, worry, and hopelessness. 

Studies have linked substance abuse to depression. Among individuals with recurring major depression, around 16.5 % have an alcohol use disorder.

Regulated exercise could ease your brain and make you feel better. However, excessive workout will hurt you as it will bring about fatigue, sleep, drowsiness, inability to concentrate, and anger.

For reprieve, engage in healthy coping mechanisms, which might be helpful in the long run.

You feel sadness

No one is happy every minute of the day, but be honest to yourself. Is your default state one of sadness or numbness?

You will mainly find the thing you used to enjoy no longer bringing you any pleasure. You often will avoid social activities since you feel like a burden or require too much effort.

If you discover you are suffering, try to seek psychotherapy or medical care, which are very useful in treating any depression.

You are constantly exhausted

Another potential sign of high functioning depression is fatigue. You will often feel lacking energy varying from bad to good days to exhibit your day-to-day activities.

In fact, with high functioning depression, every task you do requires so much mental and physical effort to complete.

On good days, you will feel relatively good and more productive, while on bad days tasks wear you out.

One way to help you is to get enough hours of sleep in the night. However, if the fatigue is persistent, schedule an appointment with a psychologist. 

You always feel worried

If you feel an ordinate sense of responsibility towards everything, and frequently reflecting on past actions, you might be experiencing high functioning depression.

You often experience strong feelings of inadequacy, and guilt feelings about any past decisions you made weighing heavily in your mind.

This is mainly on your past failures where you didn’t meet your very high expectations. If you are not careful, these feelings of guilt and worry can cause anxiety and panic attacks. 

If you find these feelings dominating your mental space, consider visiting a doctor.

You find it difficult to slow down

When you are experiencing high depression, you will find it difficult to rest. Despite being tired all day, you will struggle to get to sleep. 

Sometimes even after working all day, you will get home and feel the urge to do more work, exhausting your body further. 

Final thoughts

Today the society is more open to mental conditions than before. If you feel dissociating from your own life, admit that you suffer and seek help. If you recognize yourself by the above symptoms, open up for help. Happiness is attainable. You deserve it too.

We all have at least one senior member in our homes. In many cases, they desire to remain independent and in control of their lives despite old age catching up with them. 

People age differently. To some, Changes with aging come on slowly while to others faster. Unless you are very careful, you may not know when a senior member of your family needs help.

It is rare for people to accept assistance as they age. Therefore, it is younger family members’ responsibility to recognize the signs that an aging senior might need support and give a hand.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology (NCBI), in the United States, up to 17% of older adults will need help with household tasks and self-care.

Are you worried when it’s time for you to step in? Don’t worry. We have you covered. Here we will give you an idea of what concerns to look for as senior members of your family age.

Difficulty in handling daily activities

Look at how your aging family members manage their day-to-day household tasks. Is their home messy? Is there spoiled food in their refrigerator?

 Failing to do house chores is a common sign that daily tasks are becoming harder for them.  

Also, pay attention to your aging seniors’ appearance. Bathing can get challenging as we age. Are their clothes washed? Are they taking showers less frequently? A decline in personal care is an alert to cognitive decline.

Changes in the way your aging seniors’ do things around the house can give you clues that they need your help. 

Check for unusual bruises, cuts, or scrapes

A report by World Health Organization (WHO) shows that fall are responsible for more than 50% of injury related hospitalizations in people over the age of 65. Look keenly whether your parents have any injuries, or bruises. 

If they do, this is a sign that they are having trouble with balance and physical ability. Sometimes muscle weakness and joint pain due to old age can make it difficult to move around.

 Give a close look at how your aging family members move. If they are unsteady consider getting them a walking cane or a walk helper.

 Weight loss

When old age catches up with most adults, it becomes harder to plan and prepare meals. When you notice weight loss in your aging seniors, they are not eating as they should. 

Sometimes, your aging family members may lack the energy to cook, grasping the necessary tools hindering them from preparing their meals.

Do they lack fresh food in their refrigerator? If you find they have nothing to cook in their house, they are having trouble getting to and from the shop for their shopping.

Social isolation

As people age, they tend to lose interest in people or some things they used to enjoy. You will find seniors in your home no longer attend social gatherings as they used to. This is an alert they need your support.

Forgetfulness 

We all forget things sometimes. However, modest memory problems are common part of aging.

If you notice your seniors asking the same question repeatedly, becoming confused about people and places or getting lost in familiar places, it’s an alert they need your help.

Conclusion

It may be difficult for the elderly to admit they can’t do something on their own or realize they need help. When you discover your seniors need help, you need to be gentle as you approach to offer support. Without the right approach, attempting to help them will create conflict.

Reason with them and make sure they understand the problem and your proposed solution.

For more insights;

http://www.usa.gov/Topics/seniors.shtml for national resources for seniors 

http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-the-signs -aging-parent-needs-help.  

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/memory-and-thinking-whats-normal-and-whats-not.