What does it mean to have high functioning depression?
Depression is not a “state of mind” or attitude problem that can be changed by simply “thinking more positively”. These are unfortunate misconceptions that perpetuate stigma which can lead to hiding the severity of symptoms and not seeking help. Depression is a medical condition that includes biological, chemical and medical factors.
Many people who suffer from Depression are considered “high functioning” and will continue to achieve and perform at high levels and may go to great lengths to hide their symptoms. Often, the symptoms of Major Depression will make day to day functioning nearly impossible and these changes are noticeable to others. Many people though can experience these same symptoms with slightly less severity and maintain day to day functioning, so their depression is not as noticeable. It is important to realize that even when able to maintain functioning, people are suffering, and symptoms should not be minimized. A therapist can help to sort out the symptoms and factors of depression in order to establish an accurate diagnosis and develop a plan for treatment.
Mindfulness is an often-used term. But what does it mean, what are the benefits to your physical and mental health, and how can you practice being mindful?
The holidays are right around the corner and many of us are thinking about how to not gain those extra pounds. However, it's not just our weight we should be worried about — we should also focus on keeping our gut healthy this holiday season. Our gut does much more than digest food — it also has an important immune function. Keep your digestive tract strong and healthy for the holidays and new year by following these 5 easy tips:
Depression is more than "feeling down" or " feeling blue." When you’re depressed, you may find it hard to simply "let go" or "snap out of it." Depression is very common.
If you've never had an online psychiatry visit before, you might have some questions about how the process works. Dr. Churi, Amwell’s staff psychiatrist, shares answers and helpful information about telepsychiatry.
