5 years ago I quit my executive career of 20 years and walked away from my home, my husband, my friends and my life and took my little dog and moved 2 hours away thinking that would fix me. It’s only gone more downhill from there 😢 ; still struggling daily.

I didn’t have a name for it and that was me at age 45. You’re right, people were shocked when I quit my executive job because I just couldn’t do it anymore. Everything you described fit me at the time. The challenge was that the depression develops over time so I chalked up those symptoms to “that’s just the way I am!” That was deceiving. I hope people watching will be able to recognize themselves then take some action before you feel hopeless. Quitting my job was extreme and had a lot of impacts. God didn’t waste that experience but it sure was rough. Looking forward to the next video about taking action.

I've felt like this my entire life, that my life is pointless, that I'm stuck in a dark hole. It's hard to motivate myself to make friends or have a relationship or look forward to anything . I feel so unloveable and numb. But everyione thinks I'm fine.

I’m not excited about trying anything new. I don’t sleep a lot anymore, I have a little bit of energy but ends too quickly. Yes, I’m grieving about distancing from relatives, something I had to do for my well being, I didn’t like doing that because now I am alone. I was also in a narcissistic relationship and it took a lot from my soul. Drained me to the core because having children with this person. I have lingering emotional pain from that. I just want to be able to feel happier especially when being with others.

Hi Julia! Senior Shifter Chris here! What a great and important topic to discuss. As you know me, I was really depressed before Shift Society, and now several years later and a lot of thought work, I think I am only somewhat depressed. But that is a good sign because it isn’t as strong before. There has been some progress made. I think I just still struggle because I know not all my needs are being met. I am going to have to work though that. Here are my notes: 12 Signs You May Have High Functioning Depression Life will always have up and down and I would much rather feel good more than not. High functioning depression is usually a mild form of depression. 12 Signs: If you find yourself feeling more sad, down or irritable more often. If you have a poor appetite. (No interested or enjoyment in food or overeating) Sleeping more than usual. (And not wanting to get out of bed) If you experience low energy and a lot more fatigue. If you have a lot of self-doubt and persistent negative self-talk. (Stuck in shame) If you feel unmotivated to do anything, but somehow you muscle through it. (A lot of stuff happening in the inside, but you continue to show up and function on the outside. Feels empty, numb, exhausted, and hopeless.) Having a really hard time concentrating. (Mind wandering and disconnection) A recurring feeling of being helplessness and hopelessness. When you show up for things that normally bring you joy, and they are not bringing you joy. You check out easily and often. You appear to be okay on the outside but what is going on in the inside does not match that. (Faking it, muscling though...etc.) If you told someone you are struggling with depression, and they would be shocked. Just because you may not feel "right" or "normal" doesn't mean there is something wrong with you. Remember - to anyone and everyone reading this, that you are worthy and valued and your life matters. 💕

This kind of sounds like me. I'm a disabled male adult in my late 40s. My disability is Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus and I'm confined to a wheelchair. Not only that, I am adopted into a family of 7 children, 2 biological and 5 adopted. The two biological children disliked us adopted children and thought of us as Mom and Dad's "projects". For me, knowing that has felt like a knife in the back from people who are supposed to be family.

Fatigue. Negative self talk. Compassion and grace for self feels wrong stuck in shame

It has been 40 years for me and I still don't see anything getting better. And everything in this video is so me.

Manage to go to work and do all the basic things, but that’s it. Every day is such a struggle x

Love this video. You do such a good job at just stating the facts while not making anyone feel judged, while giving those subtle encouragements. I thank you so much for your work

All of the above with the checking out, and covering it all up. Also running out of things to show up for.

Marek-shifter here. Hi Julia! I think its a great video. Having myself struggled with serious depression in my life, I can tell you , you need to take is seriously. I can only encourage you, if you have some of these signs, make this act of self love: seek help, talk about it, share it with someone. Especially if you are anything like me a person with a smile , but behind that smile was a lot of struggle people didnt know anything about.

Hi! I’m back. I’m Lisa from Clearwater, Florida. This describes me well. And I’ve been like this for many months and I need a change for the better. Thanks for putting this into words and giving me hope, Julia! ❤🎉

I was high functioning at one point but not now 🕳 but my anxiety has come down quite a bit. Which usually puts me in a depressive pit. So that's a plus. Part of the healing process. So anyone going through that it's a possibility.

Ok, have not listened yet, but I have struggled with depression since childhood. Off and on and I KNOW my life has been and is being impacted now due to long haul covid-19, trauma, concussion, toxic relationships, ect. I am so thankful I clicked on this video. Thank you Julia 😊

Thanks for today's insights, Julia!!! This is me in so many ways! I realize that I have been struggling with high-functioning depression for most of my life - along with heavy denial. I'm in a better place now, but there is still much road ahead for me.

Yes, yes, yes! I have felt off for a while and wasn't sure why. On the occasions I talked about it with my adult children. They would say it sounds like depression, but I was functional. I'll be holding my breath for the next video! Thank you Julia! You're my favorite social media influencer.

I had a primary care Dr tell me I couldn't be depressed, because I looked and acted too good. It was so confusing.

Wow. I'm there for sure. thank you

Thank you so much for your videos - Whoever is reading this keep your head up & God Bless you - keep dancin 💜🎚🕺🏻

I've been high functioning my whole life

That’s me to a T. For many years now. Can’t wait for your next video. Thank you Kristina!

consistent struggle-yes, that is it hard even to do something fun-

I have Seasonal Affective Disorder and use a happy light in the Fall to ease the transition to a gray and dark time. Normally I use it for about 6 weeks and was under the assumption that I'd be okay enough. I ended up have a rather steep dive during the month of December. I was more irritable, annoyed, tired, and had no motivation or desire to do anything or go anywhere. Just existing was TOO much. It occurred to me that there was quite the string of days without natural sunlight and that it was seriously affecting me. Not having good memories or associations with the holiday seasons didn't help. It took 3 days of using my Verilux Happy Light for the effects to take hold. Thankful that I was able to notice what was going on. NO one should have to trudge through life like that.

Great video as always 👍, I was recently diagnosed with Adult ADHD at age 38 after a ton of therapy for anxiety and depression. I've come such along way with my depression but all these signs you speak of seem to cross over with ADHD, now I know why my therapist had difficulty trying to figure out my issues LOL 😉

This is exactly what I'm going through.

Very true, high functioning LCSW here!

Sleeping more than usual. Dont want to get up.

Wow. Super helpful content.

This is exactly me. I present as ok but inside not

Thanks so very much for the awesome video and advice Julia. I have been in some of these situations at different times of my journey here

Enjoy your videos so much I really appreciate you and I really enjoyed everything

Glad to hear this

I think it’s wonderful sunshine and rose’s when you show up 🥂 I think base line parameters are intact, well, and either are or have the capacity to function properly. A few areas i need to tidy up, … maybe…. Just a little bit 🙂

Hi, I'm henni a newcomer to your podcast.

How dare you call me out like this? 😂

Hi Julia! Shifter here! 😁

I would add much to this…but like the depression. It’s pointless. Going to therapy does not pay your bills. It does not help you fulfill the immediate responsibilities that await you the moment you open your eyes till the moment you close them day after day. While simultaneously trying to adhere to a ever increasing gaslighting by modern western society. The grand standing of “mental health awareness” is about as effective as coming up with a actual manipulating rainfall. The “resources” are either going to bleed you dry or any $ or even if you do have insurance, that only covers just enough to facilitate that, “Yes! You’re right! There is something wrong! What can we do next!” To then a long drawn out process to paying back unforgiving institutions that only see you as either economically viable or not. Understand that life is tough. And no one around you and especially the world. Does. Not. Care. Do you for you. Don’t aim for happiness. That’s just as temporary as a sugar high. Aim for purpose. What ever that purpose is. If you are lucky enough to find it. Pursue it knowing you will be isolated. Misunderstood and judged harshly for it. Find your path. Forget everyone else’s acceptance of you…

Not quite felt right is how I have lived my life. I have never wanted to live life in fear.

Would it be possible to do a video related to reasons why someone might be “too numb to cry”? I haven’t cried since 2013 and the one one time I did was when I learned in one of your videos that passive aggressive behavior is a toxic trait. But I didn’t have time to cry for long because I needed to head off somewhere.

Thank you. This is me.

Spot on!

So I’m high functioning, I work even if struggling to get up I do for work I even manage to train some mornings until go back to just managing to work. I am drained by the evening. And eventually I just breakdown for 1-2 days where I stay in bed and just cry

Julia please make a video about suicidal thoughts 😢 I need that

Okay..... I check most of the signs. What are some things I can do to guide myself to a better state of mind before getting medication.

I’m so tired 😂, I quite my toxic job last April and stated a biz thinking maybe I’m unhappy mostly about my job. However I have no motivation to build my business and I can sit on my phone for hours and not do much. I don’t know if I’m just lazy or if I have some mental health issues. My life changed after I lost my mum in 2016.

thanks

I have that feeling that I am not motivated all the time I get things done and go places all the time I force myself to do things all the time it's a struggle nothing is fun any more been going on for years

I need a therapist badly 😞

Only focusing on the past

Life long.

💯 💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡 thank you

Plain and simple - we all need Jesus.

😊

I know it is but I am no high functioning.

Feeling off

Well almost all of these pertain to me 😅

I want to be with you.