Mental illness can take many forms, and severity can differ greatly between people. Depending on upbringing, lifestyle choices, and even gender, people can show symptoms of mental illness in different ways and to different extents.
Many people who develop or are born with mental illness learn to cope with their symptoms enough to go through everyday life. They may be successful at work, have loving relationships, and be able to work toward goals. But the effort this can require can be exhausting, and may result in burnout and necessary stress. It’s a healthier option to receive treatment for mental illness and learn healthy coping mechanisms, so that an individual doesn’t suffer unnecessarily or turn to unhealthy habits (such as substance addiction) to cope with their symptoms.
What Does It Mean To Have a High-Functioning Mental Illness?
A high-functioning mental illness refers to a condition where an individual experiences significant mental health challenges but is still able to maintain a high level of functioning. This allows them to perform daily tasks, maintain relationships, and succeed in work or school. People with high-functioning mental illness often hide their struggles, appearing “fine” on the surface while dealing with intense internal distress. These individuals may hide their symptoms or push through them, which can lead to burnout, feelings of isolation, and difficulty seeking help.
However, just because someone appears to be managing well doesn’t mean they aren’t experiencing significant internal challenges. Their ability to function outwardly can make it harder for others to recognize their need for support. Over time, unaddressed mental health concerns can worsen, despite outwardly appearing capable. Mental health professionals use specific diagnostic criteria to identify and assess the severity of these conditions.
Examples of High-Functioning Mental Disorders
Here are a few examples of mental disorders that may take a high-functioning form:
- Anxiety Disorders: Individuals with high-functioning anxiety may appear calm and composed on the outside, excelling in their careers or social life. But internally, they may constantly worry, experience racing thoughts, and fear failure or judgment.
- Depression: Someone with high-functioning depression (often called “smiling depression”) can go about their daily tasks, perform well at work or school, and engage in social activities. But they may feel persistent sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness beneath the surface.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): A person with high-functioning OCD might perform their rituals or compulsions discreetly while maintaining a “normal” public persona. They might repeatedly check things or engage in certain behaviors to prevent their anxiety, seeing their compulsions as a shameful or embarrassing secret.
- Bipolar Disorder: Someone with bipolar disorder may experience periods of hypomania (elevated mood, increased energy) where they appear highly productive and energetic. But during depressive episodes, they may struggle with severe low energy, irritability, and sadness even though they manage to keep up with responsibilities.
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Individuals with high-functioning ADHD may struggle with focus, organization, and impulsivity. They may compensate through strategies like hyperfocus or using external tools (calendars, reminders) to maintain productivity and social interactions.
- Eating Disorders: A person with a high-functioning eating disorder may seem outwardly healthy, excelling in their professional and personal life, while internally participating in restrictive eating habits, binging, or purging behaviors, often hidden from view. If their social group also participates in disordered eating, this may not stand out as normal or dysfunctional.
It’s important to note that people may be fully unaware that they have a mental illness, taking their symptoms to be personal shortcomings. But even highly efficient coping with mental illness does not negate the fact of its existence. It is healthier for people who suspect that something may be “wrong with them” to seek the guidance of a mental health professional.
The Challenges of a High-Functioning Mental Illness
Someone with high functioning mental health issues may in fact be fighting off incredible stress and negative feelings on a daily basis. The ability to work with or around their symptoms doesn’t mean that their condition isn’t severe or impactful on their life. It may only speak to the person’s ability to rise to challenges or severity of their fear of being found out for having a mental illness. The constant coping and “maintenance” can be mentally exhausting, and it prevents other people from seeing that the person needs help.
Masking refers to the act of concealing or hiding mental health struggles from others, often by putting on a facade of being “okay.” People who mask their mental illness may force themselves to smile, engage in social activities, or act in ways that seem normal despite feeling overwhelmed internally. Masking can involve suppressing emotions, pretending to be happy or calm, and avoiding conversations that might reveal the true extent of their struggles. Over time, this can lead to emotional exhaustion and feelings of isolation.
Compensation involves developing coping mechanisms to mitigate or manage symptoms in a way that allows the individual to function outwardly. For example, someone with anxiety may use excessive planning, routines, or organization to manage feelings of uncertainty or fear. A person with ADHD might rely heavily on external reminders or notes to stay organized and on task. While compensation helps individuals meet their external demands, it often requires significant mental energy and can lead to burnout if the underlying issues are not addressed. These strategies can also complicate maintaining personal relationships due to feelings of self-doubt, making it difficult to enjoy social interactions and balance emotional wellbeing.
The unseen impact of a high-functioning mental illness often includes constant emotional exhaustion from masking symptoms and pushing through daily responsibilities. Despite appearing capable, individuals may experience intense anxiety, self-doubt, or persistent sadness. Over time, the effort to maintain the facade can lead to burnout, making it difficult to sustain relationships and perform at the same level over time. People may feel isolated or unable to share their true feelings, as their outward success hides the depth of their pain. This constant internal battle can erode self-esteem, leading to feelings of inadequacy or the fear of being “found out.” The pressure to appear “fine” can prevent individuals from seeking help, prolonging their suffering and making recovery more challenging.
Misconceptions and stigma surrounding high-functioning mental illness can make individuals feel misunderstood or invalidated, as others might assume they’re not struggling. This can lead to them feeling hesitant to seek help, for fear of being judged or not taken seriously. People may wrongly believe that because someone is functioning well externally, their mental health challenges aren’t significant or deserving of attention. The pressure to constantly appear “okay” can exacerbate isolation, as individuals feel unable to open up about their experiences. Stigma can also foster self-doubt, with the person questioning whether their struggles are “real” or worthy of support.
Support and Treatment For People with High-Functioning Mental Illness
For individuals with high-functioning mental illness, there are several outlets for support and treatment to help manage their symptoms and improve well-being:
- Therapy: Therapy, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), can help individuals identify negative thought patterns, develop healthier coping strategies, and see how their beliefs can influence their actions.
- Support Groups: Participating in support groups allows individuals to connect with others who understand their experiences. This can reduce feelings of isolation and provide reassurance that they are not alone in their struggles.
- Medication: Medication prescribed by a psychiatrist, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, can help manage the biological aspects of mental health conditions.
- Mindfulness and Stress-Reduction Techniques: Practices like meditation, yoga, or deep-breathing exercises can help individuals manage stress and improve emotional regulation.
- Confiding in Trusted People: Building a support network of friends, family, or mentors who are understanding and non-judgmental can offer emotional relief. Having someone to talk to can ease the burden of managing mental illness in isolation.
- Self-Care and Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep can greatly improve mental health and enhance emotional resilience. Establishing boundaries and taking breaks is also crucial for maintaining balance when dealing with mental health issues.
Accessing these outlets can help individuals with high-functioning mental illness navigate their challenges and improve their overall quality of life. It is important to seek treatment for mental health issues, regardless of the severity of symptoms.
Seek Help and Support for Mental Health at Elevated Wellness
At Elevated Wellness, we work to support people with mental health disorders and to build happy lives with healthy management of their symptoms. If they’re also suffering from a substance use disorder, we provide dual diagnosis treatment that takes their condition into account. Contact us to learn more about how we can help people with high-functioning mental illness.