What is A Functioning Depressive?

On the surface so many people are living their lives as a "functioning depressive". Their reality can be mundane, exhausting, with weight loss, claustrophobia, anxiety, low self-esteem and a general feeling of being heavy-hearted. Many people go through their lives functioning at this level and never question "is this normal?". On the outside you appear fine but inside you can be in turmoil. This is called sub-clinical depression which is when you're not quite depressed enough to be diagnosed however you are below the level which is considered normal. You can feel surreal, outside of things, lethargic and exhausted. You do not need to be crying constantly to have depression nor do you feel like you are leading a normal life.

So many people put up with these feelings and continue to live a relatively normal life with "functioning depression". People who are suffering from this usually experience sleep problems, physical aches and pains associated with stress, headaches, back problems and low confidence levels. Depression has many different sysptoms and for some, they are hard to recognize. A functioning depressive can be confused about the symptoms and don't recognize the signs for what they really are. This is a very big problem indeed so here are symptoms that you need to look out for:

* Energy levels - are you constantly tired, fatigued, feel that everything is an effort and have a lack of concentration. Are you forgetful or indecisive? Is you thinking slower than it used to be?

* Feelings - Do you feel sad regularly, are you bored no matter what life has to offer, are you anxious or low all the time. Have you lost your interest in food, sex, work and do you feel like your life is always dull? Have you a reduced sense of self-worth or a feeling of guilt?

* Sleep & Thoughts - Do you have a problem getting a full night's sleep, do you wake during the night, oversleep or have trouble going to sleep? Do you ever feel like life is not worth living or have any suicidal thoughts?