38 | MAY 30 • 2024 
J
N

M

ay is National 
Mental Health 
Awareness Month 
— a time to raise awareness, 
reduce the stigma and 
remember that 
mental health 
can affect 
anyone. While 
traditional 
media can 
support 
promoting this 
awareness, social 
media has many pros and 
cons. 
 Many argue social media 
can contribute to anxiety 
and feelings of missing out 
or inadequacy. But, in many 
instances, social media can 

provide positives as well. 
Social media can be a 
supportive environment 
for those struggling with 
mental illness. By hearing the 
experiences of others, it may 
help to bring some normalcy 
and reduce stigma. Social 
media provides a platform for 
others to share their stories, 
their challenges and to seek 
community. 
Keeping in mind that some 
information on social media 
may not be fully accurate (be 
sure to talk to your doctor), at 
least it puts the conversation 
topics on the table. Many 
mental health topics are 
discussed on different social 
media platforms. One of 

the more recent popular 
topics uses the term “high-
functioning depression.” 
Technically, this term is not 
actually a clinical diagnosis 
or in the Diagnostic and 
Statistical Manual of Mental 
Disorders (DSM). However, 
this terminology resonates 
with many because it refers to 
symptoms of depression that 
may be hidden. 
It is possible that someone 
who is struggling with 
depressive symptoms in 
their everyday life can do 
so without anyone noticing 
at all. While many people 
struggling with depression 
experience significant impact 
on their daily functioning, not 

everyone encounters those 
symptoms quite so obviously.
 Some may be suffering 
while hiding their symptoms, 
appearing to be well and 
functioning normally. This 
is called masking and can 
make it difficult for others to 
recognize they are struggling, 
and it becomes even harder to 
seek help. 
High-functioning 
depressive symptoms, if 
persisting for more than two 
years, is much more consistent 
with a diagnosis of Persistent 
Depressive Disorder. 

HARD TO SPOT 
High-functioning depression 
can be challenging to spot 

Brooke 
Weingarden, 
DO, MPH

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month — 
a time to raise awareness and reduce the stigma.

Understanding High-
Functioning Depression

HEALTH

