Are you really functioning or performing?

High-Functioning Depression in Women

From where I sit now, I understand what it truly means to function at a high level while silently battling depression. I know the feeling of living on autopilot, moving through days that felt dark, even when there were countless reasons to smile, I didn't. I wasn’t functioning well; I was performing.

For years, I carried the weight of believing I wasn’t “enough” because of rejection, micro-aggressions, and relational wounds. Healing began when I embraced two truths: deliverance and therapy. Drawing closer to God saved my life, and therapy helped me rebuild it.

Many women still carry this hidden burden, the pressure to do more, be more, and appear fine while quietly falling apart inside. This often contributes to high-functioning depression.

The American Psychiatric Association notes that “high-functioning depression” isn’t an official diagnosis. It’s a term used to describe those who appear to manage life while living with chronic sadness, low energy, and diminished joy. Clinically, it aligns with Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia), a long-term, lower-grade form of depression that can last for years.

Women often describe this as existing in a world where their internal battles go unnoticed. Between work, family, ministry, and societal expectations, they continue to perform—but feel emotionally exhausted. Micro-aggressions, perfectionism, and the pressure to multitask only deepen the strain.

It’s no wonder that 24% of U.S. women have been diagnosed with depression, compared to 13% of men (CDC, 2023). Many others remain undiagnosed, their strength mistaken for wellness.

Over time, unacknowledged depression can strain relationships, health, and emotional stability. Recognizing high-functioning depression is essential not just for early intervention, but to challenge the belief that productivity equals wellness. Navigating high-functioning depression requires healing internally.

Healing from the Inside Out

In my clinical work, I use Trauma-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (TF-ACT) to help women live in the present, heal the past, and build meaningful futures. Common practices include:

• Reflection and processing: Facing difficult emotions through journaling and honest self-awareness.

• Self-compassion: Releasing the pressure to “do it all” and embracing imperfection.

• Acknowledgment: Validating pain instead of hiding it.

  
  

For me, healing also came through Word of God and faith. The altar became a space of safety and renewal, where God’s love restored me. I’ve learned that therapy and spiritual deliverance work best together, healing both mind and soul.

In my coaching work, I guide women to pause, reflect, and respond to life with compassion and courage. Whether through faith, therapy, or coaching, the goal is the same: to move from silent survival to true healing and freedom. My hope is to help you release that weight and reclaim your peace.

Reflection Questions

1. When have you found yourself “functioning at a high level” while quietly struggling internally?

2. What are your emotional and behavioral responses when you are stressed or depressed?

3. What are three ways you cope with stress?

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With Love,

Qwanquita "Q" Wright

CEO, Founder of Focusing on Self