Understanding High-Functioning Depression in Adults

Summary & key facts

Researchers interviewed 120 English-speaking adults about symptoms of high-functioning depression, a type of depression where people still keep up daily activities but have ongoing symptoms like low energy, trouble enjoying things, poor concentration, guilt, restlessness, sleep problems, and appetite changes. They found that about 60% of the people met criteria for high-functioning depression and about 14% met criteria for a more severe form. People who had more trouble enjoying things also tended to have higher overall high-functioning depression scores and more past trauma. Being married or partnered and being a parent or caregiver were linked with higher loss-of-pleasure scores, while people with more education reported fewer very traumatic events. This study used one-time interviews, so it shows links between these things but does not prove what causes what.

Key facts:

• The study interviewed 120 adults using a set of questionnaires during a single 30-minute session.
• About 60% of participants (72 people) showed high-functioning depression, and about 14% (17 people) showed a more severe form.
• People with higher loss-of-pleasure (anhedonia) scores also had higher overall high-functioning depression scores and reported more traumatic events.
• Married or partnered people had higher average loss-of-pleasure scores than single people in this group.
• Parents or caregivers of children had the highest average loss-of-pleasure and high-functioning depression scores compared with others in the study.
• Higher education levels were linked with reporting fewer very traumatic events.
• Because the study was cross-sectional (one set of interviews at one time), it can show associations but cannot prove that one thing caused another.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: High-functioning depression (HFD) is described as experiencing depressive symptoms such as fatigue, anhedonia, poor concentration, guilt, restlessness, sleep disturbances, and appetite changes without experiencing a lack of functioning or significant distress. The purpose of this study is to characterize the clinical correlates of HFD. METHODS: This study entailed a descriptive, cross-sectional design based on interviews administered to120 English-speaking participants with HFD (aged 18-75). The interview involved administering a semi-structured HFD Analysis Questionnaire, the Joseph HFD Inventory, the HFD Trauma Inventory, and the Joseph HFD Anhedonia Scale in a single, 30-minute session for each participant. Big traumas, defined as extremely traumatic events, were analyzed by the trauma inventory. RESULTS: Out of the 120 participants, 72 (60%) demonstrated HFD, and 17 (14%) demonstrated very HFD. A correlation was observed between symptoms of HFD, such as anhedonia and marital status, as post hoc tests showed that the average Anhedonia Scale score was higher for married or partnered participants than those who were single (p=0.038). As anticipated, the participants with higher Anhedonia Scale scores had higher HFD scores (p=0.003). These participants also experienced higher trauma inventory scores and big traumas. Furthermore, as participant education level increased, the number of big traumas reported decreased (p<0.001). Participants who were parents/caregivers of children also had the highest Anhedonia Scale and HFD scores (p=0.0126 and p=0.0210, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results supported the hypothesis that individuals with HFD have increased levels of anhedonia and trauma. However, trauma scores were inversely associated with education level in HFD.

Topics

Health, psychology, and well-being Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research Traumatic Brain Injury Research

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Depression (economics) Economics Macroeconomics Medicine Psychiatry

Conditions & symptoms

Burnout Depression Difficulty focusing Feeling disconnected from others Lack of energy or motivation Poor appetite or overeating Poor sleep Sadness or low mood