🔑 Key Takeaways
- High functioning depression affects millions, including high achievers, and symptoms include skipping meals, feeling overwhelmed, and avoiding help. Learn from Dr. Judith Joseph on how to recognize and combat it for improved well-being.
- Inclusive research and diagnosis are crucial to ensure effective treatments for all populations and individuals, recognizing that mental health conditions present differently for everyone.
- High Functioning Depression goes unnoticed due to stigma and ability to function, leading to dangerous emotional suppression and worsening condition. Raising awareness is crucial.
- High functioning depression, characterized by low energy, poor concentration, poor appetite, and physical restlessness, can go unnoticed as individuals may appear to be functioning well despite experiencing symptoms. It's crucial to ask about functioning and distress to ensure accurate diagnosis, especially when anxiety and depression co-occur.
- Depression can present differently, including lack of excitement or joy (anhedonia), societal pressures, and inflammation from conditions like COVID-19. Genetics play a role but are not the sole cause.
- High-functioning depression, also known as persistent depression, presents as a lack of joy or diminished pleasure in life despite meeting responsibilities. It's crucial to recognize and seek help to address this issue, which can include controlling behavior, identity tied to work, sleep, appetite, focus, and low energy.
- Recognize high functioning depression's signs, challenge core beliefs, and seek help to prevent poor coping skills and potential breakdowns.
- Recognize and address past experiences of scarcity to break free from irrational behaviors and live more fully in the present
- Recognizing and challenging scarcity beliefs can lead to improved mental and physical well-being. Start small and question negative thoughts to break free from the pattern of scarcity.
- Recognizing and naming emotions, even in high-functioning individuals, can reduce anxiety, improve decision-making, and validate unique struggles with conditions like high functioning depression.
- Mindfulness practices, cognitive behavioral therapy, and sleep hygiene can help manage depression, anxiety, and cognitive changes during menopause. Seek support from organizations like Let's Talk Menopause and be honest with yourself about your struggles to find resources and understanding.
- Podcasts can provide valuable insights, but they shouldn't replace professional advice from qualified experts.
📝 Podcast Summary
Understanding High Functioning Depression
High functioning depression is a prevalent issue affecting millions of high achievers, and it's essential to recognize its symptoms, such as skipping meals, feeling overwhelmed, and avoiding help. Renowned researcher and medical doctor Dr. Judith Joseph, the world's leading expert on this topic, joins Mel Robbins' podcast to discuss her groundbreaking research on high functioning depression and how to combat it. Dr. Joseph, a pioneering researcher, psychiatrist, and professor, has dedicated her career to studying mental health challenges faced by high-functioning individuals. By understanding this condition, individuals can take steps to alleviate symptoms and improve their overall well-being. Don't miss this insightful episode to learn more about high functioning depression and how to live a more energized, joyful, and present life.
Representation in mental health research
Representation matters in clinical research and mental health diagnosis. For a long time, underrepresented populations were excluded from studies, leading to treatments that may not be effective for everyone. The speaker emphasizes the importance of including diverse populations in research to build trust and ensure that treatments are inclusive. Additionally, mental health conditions don't always fit neatly into diagnostic boxes, and it's crucial to recognize that people experience depression and other conditions differently. The speaker shares her experience of diagnosing her husband with depression, who didn't fit the typical diagnostic criteria but was still suffering. She is currently researching depression with different faces to better understand its presentation in various populations and individuals. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of recognizing individual experiences and ensuring that mental health research and diagnosis are inclusive and representative.
High Functioning Depression: Unrecognized and Underestimated
High functioning depression is a type of depression that often goes unrecognized due to the stigma surrounding the word "depression" and the fact that those experiencing it may still be able to function in their daily lives. Depression, according to the DSM-5, is characterized by symptoms such as anhedonia, or a lack of feeling or pleasure. However, those with high functioning depression may not identify with this label or may not even realize they're experiencing depression because they're able to keep up with their responsibilities. This can lead to a dangerous cycle of not allowing oneself to feel or process emotions, which can ultimately worsen the condition. It's important to raise awareness about high functioning depression and challenge the stigma surrounding depression in general to help those who are struggling get the support they need.
High functioning depression: Hiding in plain sight
High functioning depression, a condition where individuals appear to be functioning well despite experiencing symptoms of depression, is a growing concern. This condition can go unnoticed as individuals may not meet the full criteria for major depressive disorder but still experience symptoms such as low energy, poor concentration, poor appetite, and physical restlessness. Anxiety and depression often co-occur, and their symptoms can overlap, making it confusing to identify one from the other. Healthcare professionals use tools like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to help diagnose these conditions, but it's essential to ask about functioning and distress to account for cultural differences and the wearing of masks that prevent individuals from acknowledging their feelings. High functioning depression has been recognized for about 5 years, and it's important to raise awareness of this condition to help individuals receive the appropriate support before their symptoms escalate into a crisis.
Depression's changing face
Depression is evolving, and its presentation can be different from what we once thought. Depression is no longer just about feeling sad or crying at home. Many people cope by keeping busy or hiding their feelings due to societal pressures or personal circumstances. Depression can also manifest as a lack of excitement or joy, known as anhedonia. Recent research suggests that inflammation, caused by conditions like the COVID-19 pandemic, can contribute to depression. Additionally, there is a genetic predisposition to depression, but it is not the sole cause. These new understandings of depression are crucial for identifying and helping those who may not recognize their symptoms.
High-functioning depression: Hidden struggles
Unprocessed trauma and constant exposure to negative events and images can contribute to a form of depression that looks different than what it did in the past. This high-functioning depression may present as a lack of joy or diminished pleasure in life, despite getting through the day and meeting responsibilities. It's essential to recognize this type of depression and not dismiss it as just a part of life. People are hardwired for joy and deserve to experience it, so seeking help from a doctor or therapist is crucial. Symptoms can include controlling behavior at work, identity tied to work or caretaking, problems with sleep, appetite, and focus, and low energy. Don't outrun or outwork your feelings – take the first step towards understanding and addressing this issue.
High functioning depression often overlooked due to societal expectations
High functioning depression is often overlooked due to societal expectations and the belief that functioning equates to not being in need of help. Doctors and healthcare workers may struggle to diagnose this condition because they identify with the high functioning aspect and don't want to be labeled themselves. High functioning depression can lead to poor coping skills, physical and mental breakdowns if left untreated. It's crucial to recognize that work habits can be a symptom rather than the cause. The biopsychosocial model emphasizes the importance of addressing the social component, such as societal pressures and personal beliefs, to understand the root causes of high functioning depression. Never think of yourself as a burden, and remember that asking for help is a sign of strength, not a weakness. Challenging core beliefs and processing past traumas, no matter how small, can help in the healing process.
Understanding and Overcoming Scarcity Trauma
Our past experiences, particularly those involving scarcity or lack of resources, can significantly impact our present behaviors and mindset. Scarcity trauma refers to the unconscious fear of losing resources, leading to irrational behaviors such as hoarding or excessive spending. This trauma can be passed down through generations, affecting families for years. To break free from these patterns, it's essential to acknowledge and validate these experiences, understand where they come from, and challenge the associated fears. Start small by decluttering or giving away items, and gradually expose yourself to the idea that resources are more abundant than you might believe. By recognizing and addressing scarcity trauma, you can live more fully in the present and increase your overall happiness.
Understanding Scarcity: Breaking Free from Generational Patterns
Recognizing and understanding the concept of scarcity, whether it's related to resources or emotions, can be a powerful step towards breaking free from patterns passed down through generations. Scarcity mindset, rooted in real traumas and experiences, can manifest in various ways, including hoarding, fear of wasting, and emotional unavailability. By acknowledging and examining the underlying beliefs and thoughts, individuals can challenge and change these behaviors, leading to improved mental and physical well-being. The process doesn't have to be overwhelming; starting small, such as questioning the evidence behind negative thoughts and letting go of one expired item, can make a significant difference. Embracing the understanding that scarcity is a pattern, not a personal trait, can empower individuals to break free from its hold.
Identifying and Addressing Hidden Emotions
Acknowledging and naming our emotions, even if we're high-functioning individuals, can help reduce anxiety and fear, leading to better decision-making. High functioning depression is a real condition, and it's essential to validate and address the unique struggles that come with it. Furthermore, challenging societal norms and letting go of unneeded possessions can be difficult but necessary steps towards personal growth. Lastly, advocating for research and awareness around women's health issues, such as menopause, is crucial for creating positive change.
Support for midlife women dealing with depression and identity loss during menopause
Midlife women experiencing depression and identity loss due to menopause are not alone, and there are resources and methods available to support them. Depression and anxiety during midlife can be hormonal, and cognitive changes such as brain fog and forgetfulness can make daily tasks challenging. Mindfulness practices, cognitive behavioral therapy, and sleep hygiene are effective ways to manage these symptoms. However, many women may not have access to this information or feel misunderstood by healthcare professionals. Organizations like Let's Talk Menopause are working to change this by advocating for more research and resources for women going through menopause. It's important for women to be honest with themselves about their struggles and seek help when needed. By understanding the common experiences and available resources, women can create a better life for themselves during this transitional period.
Legal Disclaimers in Podcasts
This podcast, while educational and entertaining, is not a substitute for professional advice. The speaker, despite coming across as a friend, is not a licensed therapist or professional coach. The legal language used in the podcast serves to emphasize this point. It's important to remember that while listening to podcasts or seeking information online can be helpful, it should not replace the expertise and guidance of qualified professionals. So, as a high achiever, keep pushing forward, but also remember to prioritize seeking professional advice when necessary. And, yes, those were not bloopers, but legally required disclaimers.