Why Low-Functioning Depression Can Make It Impossible to Work

I have been struggling to function throughout the day -- from waking up to eating on time, everything seems like an arduous chore. I turned to Google for an answer and it seems like I have something called "low-functioning depression." Now I had heard of the term "high-functioning depression," but never this term. After further browsing, it then dawned on me that low-functioning depression wasn't an anomaly, it just wasn't talked about nearly half as much as high-functioning depression. I wondered how many depressed people must feel inadequate because they are not high-functioning, so I decided to write a post about low-functioning depression.

Signs of Low-Functioning Depression

As the term indicates, "low-functioning" depression is the kind of depression in which your ability to function is impaired to such an extent that you have trouble getting everyday tasks done. The definition of "low-functioning" varies from person to person. For example, person A may be able to work for three-four hours a day before they feel too tired to go on; whereas, person B may be unable to maintain basic personal hygiene and self-care.

Regardless of whether one is like person A or person B, one has low-functioning depression as one's ability to function is below normal. Due to this, individuals who have this kind of depression can be easily recognized by their behavior and appearance. This is in sharp contrast to high-functioning depression, which can be difficult to detect because the person is able to function just as well as someone who is productive and does not have depression.

Low-Functioning Depression Is Not a Choice

Many of us are aware that our depression is not a choice, but how many of us know that neither is our level of functionality? Yes, no one can choose to be either low-functioning or high-functioning, yet people think it is a conscious choice. 

I believe the media is largely to blame for this school of thought because when it comes to mental health awareness, the media tends to focus on celebrities who have made a name for themselves in their chosen field. What the media fails to mention is that these people made it because they have high-functioning depression, not because they are "brave" or have "strong willpower." But I guess mainstream media prefers to stay away from the non-glamorous, ugly side that we know as low-functioning depression. Owing to this choice, society at large remains ignorant of the reality that depression is on a spectrum and sometimes, its effects cannot be tamed.

Be Kind to Yourself

Whether you ever get to hear this from anyone else or not, I am here to tell you that if you are unable to work full-time because of depression, you are not weak or lazy. If you think you are lazy or unmotivated because you feel apathy, please know that apathy itself is one of the signs of depression. No matter what the rest of the world says, you did not choose to be low-functioning. However, you should choose self-preservation -- even if that means working part-time or going on disability. As I say in the video below, low-functioning depression isn't your fault, so it's high time you stop blaming yourself.