Everyone knows someone who seems like they have “got it all together.” They have an amazing job, go on exotic and exciting vacations, and always seem to be up to date with the latest fashions.

At least, that’s the way things seem to be on their social media feeds.

However, what if the reality was different. Instead of being happy and content, what if these people were dealing with what scientists call high-functioning depression?

Spotting high-functioning depression isn’t easy, exactly because those who have it put on this façade. How, then, would you know if you have it?

Here are ten signs of high-functioning depression you can watch out for.

1. Trying to Be Perfect

One of the signs of high-functioning depression is when someone is always trying to be perfect. Perfection, in this case, is making it appear to be that everything is more than just OK in your life. It’s fantastic!

The easiest way to portray that image is with a picture or video on social media and a quick caption. Yet, the reality is that not everything is perfect at all. There are, in fact, deep cracks that are the source of your high-functioning depression.

2. Always Getting Down on Yourself

Another indicator is that you are always getting down on yourself through criticism. Even when you do something well, you can’t help but hear your inner critic ring out. This is more than just giving yourself constructive feedback. Instead, you say to yourself that you are “stupid” or even a “failure” despite your well-earned success.

3. Becoming Angry Easily

Because you feel so stressed-out from trying to keep it all together, you get angry easily. Again, you are trying to put on an image that everything is just fine on the outside. Yet, on the inside, you have so many negative emotions and feelings. Thus, when little things happen that would typically be an inconvenience, you tend to lash out.

4. Lack of Energy

There are also physical signs of high-functioning depression. Obviously, it takes a lot of energy to keep up appearances and maintain a perfect image. That means that you likely get tired more easily and always feel you need a pick-me-up. This lack of energy, over time, can lead to sleep problems. Which, if left unaddressed will have an impact on your overall health too.

5. Having Persistent Doubts

When you’re dealing with high-functioning depression, you also constantly carry doubt with you. For one, you question whether you are actually capable of being successful. And any success you do experience you inwardly question. Did I really earn this? you wonder.

6. Not Enjoying Yourself

All of these issues make it really hard for you to simply relax and have fun. That’s a real problem because it means you can’t just be in the moment and enjoy yourself. Instead, you are plagued by doubt and anger. You worry that you might let your guard down. Then, people might see what lies underneath, and that scares you. So you always have to be in control, but that takes the fun out of life.

7. Little Things Becoming Big Deals

With high-functioning depression, even little inconveniences become big problems quickly. For instance, let’s say that you accidentally slept in a little this morning. Typically, not the biggest setback. You might be a few minutes late for work, but generally, your management doesn’t have a problem with that. However, for you, striving for perfection, even being a few minutes late is a catastrophe!

8. Worrying a Lot

You may always be burdened with worry. Worry is this feeling that causes you to stress-out about both the past and the future. You go over and over decisions that you have made in your life. Were they the right ones? Also, you are plagued with worry over what will happen in the future. Ultimately, worry is based on wanting to be in control. However, life usually has other plans.

9. Feeling Sad All the Time

If you can’t control what’s happening with everything in your life, along with struggling with worry, doubt, and anger, you will likely feel sad. You are sad because you have all of these things swirling around inside you with no way out. Although you are able to put on the image that everything is great, deep down you feel the opposite.

10. Coping Any Way You Can

To cope with high-functioning depression, you do what you can. For some, it’s throwing themselves into their work at the expense of everything else. With others, exercising to the point of exhaustion every day is how they cope. There is, of course, drinking, drug use, overeating, etc. All these things push away your high-functioning depression—but only temporarily.

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The problem with spotting the signs of high-functioning depression is that there is this duality. On the one hand, you appear to be able to get it all together for yourself. Yet, on the other hand, you are hurting deep inside.

If you think you might have high-functioning depression, please reach out to me to learn more about how depression treatment can help.