Even the highest of achievers can struggle with feelings of loneliness and unbearable sadness behind closed doors — a state that's commonly referred to as high-functioning depression.
High-functioning depression isn't a clinical diagnosis, but the National Alliance on Mental Illness recognizes it as a term that can describe "anyone who is grappling with mental health issues while accomplishing their day-to-day tasks and upholding their responsibilities."
Symptoms of high-functioning depression can present differently than the severe signs of major depressive disorder like diet changes, sleep disturbances, fatigue and feelings of hopelessness, says April Simpkins, mother of the late Miss USA winner Cheslie Kryst.
"For some people like Cheslie, it can feel like [it's] normal to be in the state of feeling sadness or feeling loneliness.
We spoke to Chase Cassine, a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist, about managing symptoms of high-functioning depression.
Persons:
Simpkins, Cheslie Kryst, Cheslie, NAMI, Chase Cassine
Organizations:
National Alliance, Mental, Miss USA, CNBC
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