Understanding the Signs of High-Functioning Depression

Depression is a common mood disorder in the US, often misunderstood as temporary feelings of distress. Symptoms include changes in sleep patterns, unexplained physical ailments, subtle withdrawal from social interactions, distorted cognitive processes, and changes in appetite. High-functioning depression, the act of appearing 'normal' while privately battling depression, is characterized by wearing a mask to hide internal mental health struggles, endless exhaustion, drawn to numbing habits, and a loss of pleasure in activities that once brought joy.