What on earth is "High Functioning Depression"?

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I’m not understanding this trend of “high functioning depression”. It seems elitist to me, but do people find this helpful? In order for it to “count” as depression, there has to be impairment in function. Impairment can look different for all kinds of people. To me, calling it “high functioning depression” means there is a duality or opposite being “low functioning depression”. Yes, people struggle with impairment in depression, but I most certainly would not want to create a duality where one experience is “more valid” or “less severe” than the other. It’s okay that depression looks different from person to person. The most important thing is that we identify and treat it asap.

PS Did a quick little search to see if this term helped indicate risk, and no data to support that. My concern is also that a mixed episode, hypomania or mania may be mistaken for “high functioning depression” which absolutely would increase risk of adverse outcomes for patients.

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