Do you constantly feel low?
Updated: Aug 30, 2022
54% of people with mental illness do not access any treatment. Not surprisingly, many of the high-achieving professionals I’ve worked with do not identify themselves as someone with a mental illness.
But a mental illness can include high functioning anxiety and depression which can lead to chronic stress and burnout.
Could you be suffering from high functioning depression?
The symptoms of high functioning depression are the same as major depression but to a lesser extent.
People can still function and fulfil their work and family commitments and as well as have an active social life. This makes it a lot harder to identify, just look around, it could easily be a colleague or someone you know, maybe even you.
Some of the signs can include:
Decreased appetite or overeating
Insomnia or oversleeping
Lack of energy and fatigue
Lowered self-esteem
Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
Feeling sad and hopeless
As a mum and especially as a new mum, I’ve felt all of the above but it’s the persistent low mood for years is when it becomes a problem. It can become a person’s new normal or natural state and eventual lead to major depression if left unchecked.
Evidence exists that suggests that low serotonin is the main cause of depression, but medication doesn’t have to be your first port of call if you suspect you have high-functioning depression.
We know that exercise, spending time in nature, getting enough sunshine, eating nourishing foods, achieving goals big or small, practising gratitude exercises and more can increase both serotonin and dopamine levels too.
Companies can take a proactive approach to support staff by providing health education, group and 1:1 health coaching and making small changes in the workplace like walk & talk meetings.
To learn more about how a bespoke corporate health program can help reduce staff burnout and turnover, book a complimentary discovery session to discuss your corporate health and wellness goals.