In this section, we help explain what the alcohol rehab process entails, and how we can assist you or a loved one select rehab that’s best suited to your needs.
Alcohol is a physically addictive substance. Detoxing from alcohol without medical assistance is life-threatening. In this section, we explain how to detox safely.
In this section, we outline a range of evidence-based addiction treatments. These treatments are available at residential or outpatient rehab clinics across the UK and abroad.
Addiction is a disease of the mind and classified as an illness. In this section, we offer information about the most common forms of addiction affecting society in the UK.
In this section, we provide help and advice around the topic of mental health. Protecting your mental health should be a life-goal, and seeking out help for mental health issues could be the most important decision you ever make.
Alcoholism is a chronic illness, affecting over a million people in the UK alone. In this section, we provide resources to help you better understand this illness, and what to do if you or a loved one are affected by alcoholism.
Those struggling do so under a facade of normality and are willing to endure their symptoms without seeking help.
Despite suffering from low mood, unhealthy sleeping patterns and listlessness, those with “smiling depression” can still largely function normally.
Because it may be less debilitating than severe depression, those with a high-functioning variation are able to go out, work, and complete other responsibilities.
It’s important to note that the term high-functioning depression isn’t a clinically recognised condition.
PPD is similar to major depression, but symptoms are less severe. Instead of experiencing bouts of depressive episodes, PDD sufferers have chronic, low-grade symptoms that last for years.
This means that they are often able to mask their low mood and go about their lives, making them high-functioning.
Depression Statistics in the UK
Man suffering from high-functioning depression
If you’re suffering from a consistent low mood that goes beyond having “the blues”, you aren’t alone in this struggle.
According to recent statistics, depression is in the top 3 of the UK’s most diagnosed mental disorders.
This study found that younger women between 16 and 29 were more likely to be affected, but that men are less likely to seek professional help.
Across the board, those living in a deprived area, or who are suffering from economic inactivity, are more likely to develop the condition.
Overall, it is thought that 24% of women and 13% of men in England will be diagnosed with depression in their lifetime.
Another ONS report [5] found that cases of adult depression make up a large percentage of overall diagnoses by GPs.
As a percentage of all diagnoses, depression in adults rose by 1.3 percentage points to 15.6% compared to 2019.
What Causes High-Functioning Depression?
Two friends discussing the causes of high-functioning depression
The key to understanding high-functioning depression is familiarising yourself with its myriad causes.
Identifying the exact cause or trigger behind high-functioning depression can be tricky.
Oftentimes, people feel clueless regarding its cause.
When it comes to depression, everyone is different and there can be multiple reasons behind their condition.
Some of the major influences are:
Genetics: Depression is known to run in families, and can be a part of someone’s DNA. Usually, doing some digging into a family history will reveal generational depression. Often, relatives who never showed any outward signs of depression were struggling behind the scenes, either self-medicating or enduring their symptoms.
Stressful Life Events: Encountering constant stress can have a profound impact on the brain and body. According to a University College London study [6], stressful life events in themselves exert a strong effect on people’s subsequent risk of developing depression. Events can include losing a job, the end of a relationship, or the death of a loved one.
Medical conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or chronic pain can all lead to depression. These chronic health problems can make life seem overwhelming, causing some people to develop a depressive disorder.
Other Substances: Abusing substances, whether it’s drugs or alcohol, can lead to and exacerbate depression. This is because substance misuse [8] affects the brain’s reward system and serotonin levels. Those with an addiction may also experience depressive symptoms as part of substance withdrawal.
Personality: Sometimes, a person’s risk of depression is increased by their unique personality. Perhaps they have a melancholy outlook on life, low self-esteem, or simply think deeply about the world.
How do I Know if I Have High-Functioning Depression?
Black and white photo of a man thinking about high-functioning depression
Clinical depression has extensive diagnostic criteria, but many symptoms of PDD don’t necessarily reflect what it feels like to have high-functioning depression.
Persistent Sadness: If you feel down more than you experience happiness, this could be a sign of depression. While “normal” sadness comes and goes, melancholic feelings associated with depression will persist.
Feeling Hopeless: Many people with depression feel that things won’t get better, and that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Periods of hopelessness and pessimism can be incredibly difficult to cope with.
Low Self-Esteem: Many of us are occasionally self-critical, but being overly hard on ourselves has been linked with depression. Depression can eat away at your self-worth, convincing you that you’re not good enough.
Feeling Irritable: Those struggling with depression often have trouble processing emotions in the moment, leading them to become irritable. If you’re getting annoyed easily, at very little things, depression could be to blame.
Losing Interest in the things you usually love: Even if people with high-functioning depression appear motivated, they might not be feeling this way beneath the surface. Depression can make it hard to get excited about anything or feel motivated to do the things you once loved.
Withdrawing Socially: Feeling low most of the time makes it difficult to socialise with friends and family. You might find yourself becoming more socially isolated, saying no to plans, and forsaking friendships. You may also have trouble focusing, remembering, or makingdecisions.
Experiencing sleep changes: Difficulty falling and staying asleep is another telltale sign of high-functioning depression. You might also be sleeping too much and finding it harder to get out of bed in the morning.
Changes in appetite: Some people with depression notice an increase in appetite, which can lead to weight gain. Others find that they eat less, or have no appetite at all.
Suicidal thoughts: As their mood sinks lower, someone with depression can start thinking more about death. They might even notice suicidal ideations, which are particularly dangerous and distressing.
Physical Symptoms: Depression might be a condition of the mind, but it can take a significant toll on the body. You may notice increased headaches, cramps, or digestive issues that don’t have a clear cause.
Getting Diagnosed with High-Functioning Depression
Therapist speaking with a patient about high-functioning depression
While a GP can’t directly diagnose someone as having high-functioning depression, they can come to a clinical conclusion.
If a person is experiencing depressive symptoms, they should speak to a doctor at once.
Here in the UK, a mental healthcare provider can determine whether your symptoms meet the criteria for other depressive and psychiatric disorders.
These include the following:
Persistent depressive disorder (PDD): Someone with PDD or dysthymia will experience varying degrees of symptoms. As the name suggests, it “persists” for over two years.
Major depressive disorder (MDD): This is also known as clinical depression, and is a severe condition. Depressive episodes [10] can persist for over two weeks before the person starts to feel better again and come in cycles.
Perinatal depression: This condition is experienced by those who are pregnant, and can lead to a lasting condition known as postpartum depression.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): Depression with a seasonal pattern is mostly experienced in the winter months when sunlight is minimal. Therefore, it tends to recede in the summer months.
Bipolar depression: Periods of elevated moods, known as mania, followed by significant depression are characteristic of bipolar disorder. Sufferers tend to experience periods of high energy before they come crashing down.
Psychotic depression: Those with psychotic depression will experience symptoms of psychosis alongside low mood. This can manifest in the form of delusions and hallucinations.
Treatment Approaches for High-Functioning Depression
Teenager in treatment for high-functioning depression
Treatment programmes for high-functioning depression focus on building healthy coping mechanisms, in addition to ensuring physical support in the form of certain medications.
There are many ways to handle our emotions and stop them from taking over, which is where therapy methods come into play.
Group Therapy: Another way to combat high-functioning depression is by joining a group therapy network. [12] Socialising with peers who are experiencing similar struggles can be incredibly therapeutic. What’s more, group therapy gives you the opportunity to listen to people who have won the battle against depression.
Medication: In some cases of high-functioning depression, medication can be an effective way [13] to reduce and manage symptoms. Antidepressant medications such as SelectiveSerotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) may be prescribed to improve a patient’s well-being.
Rehab Programmes for Depression: For severe cases of depression, your doctor may suggest entering a rehabilitation programme. Residential programmes range from as little as 2 weeks to 3 months or more. Living on-site at a rehab clinic gives patients access to personalised therapies and experts in the field of depression treatment.
Contact Us Today for Help with High-Functioning Depression
Person typing on their phone looking for help with high-functioning depression
High-functioning depression may appear mild to the observer, but it can be debilitating for those suffering.
It can impact all areas of their lives, including professional, social and emotional aspects.
If you’re suffering from symptoms of depression or know someone who is, you don’t have to go through it alone.
Here at Rehab 4 Addiction, our team can offer you a range of support, including treatment resources, advice, or friendly conversation.
Call us on 0800 140 4690 to speak with a member of the team. Your free telephone assessment will be fully confidential, and you can tell us as much or as little as you’re comfortable sharing.
Depression is a treatable disease, and we’re here to help you beat it.
References for What is High-Functioning Depression?
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
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