“High-functioning depression is a very common condition,” says Katie Munger, LPC, Director of Outpatient Services at Penn Medicine Princeton House Behavioral Health’s Hamilton site. “It can be difficult to diagnose since these individuals are usually still functioning in terms of work, parenting, and other responsibilities. Even so, they are really just getting through each day without feeling any contentment, joy, or hope.”
Known as persistent depressive disorder (PDD), high-functioning depression is characterized by a persistent low mood for at least two years, along with symptoms such as appetite and sleep disturbances, lack of energy, low self-esteem, and difficulty focusing. PDD may also include episodes of major depression,
and in some instances suicidal thoughts.
Motivational Interviewing Can Help
At Princeton House, individuals experiencing PDD can be helped through motivational interviewing, a counseling method that helps resolve ambivalent feelings and motivate changes in behavior. The process is grounded in an understanding that making life changes can be difficult, and encouragement and understanding are key to working through PDD.
“Motivational interviewing helps individuals recognize they have the power to change their lives for the better,” says Munger. “It instills confidence so they can articulate their reasons for change, discover motivation, and create momentum. We serve as effective guides on this journey, helping them see that they deserve joy in their lives and a path toward attaining it.”
Because PDD presents itself differently than what people commonly think of as depression, in some instances a person may not even recognize they are experiencing it. In some cases, they may seek help for an ineffective coping mechanism such as substance use; in others, they may push their feelings aside, believing they will resolve on their own, or they do not want to take the time away from their busy lives to address the problem.
“Consider what you are feeling as you move through your day, and if PDD is a possibility, seek help,” says Munger. “The time you invest in treatment will result in the return of happiness and satisfaction in your day-to-day life, and there can be no denying that it is well worth the effort.”
Your first step may be to reach out to your company employee assistance program (EAP) or university counseling center for short-term counseling and referral to a regular therapist, psychiatrist, or treatment program. If you suspect PDD is interfering with your work, school, or home life, consider calling Princeton House at 1.888.437.1610 to discuss more intensive treatment.