Many of us experience periods in our lives when something feels “off”: when we struggle to find joy in happy moments, feel pessimistic about the future, and take little pleasure in things we used to enjoy. On the surface, we might be good at pretending we’re doing fine–we are motivated and productive at work, pulling our weight at home, and conducting a normal social life–but behind that facade we are barely surviving, and certainly not thriving. We’re all familiar with what depression can look like–but there’s another, lesser-known face to this illness. High functioning depression (HFD) doesn’t conform to the image of depression that typically comes to someone who is deeply sad and finds it hard to get out of bed in the morning. As a result, people with HFD often have no idea why they are suffering, or what to do about it. In High Functioning, Dr. Judith Joseph radically shifts the way those of us with HFD see ourselves, revealing that what we’re feeling is not simply “negativity” or stress. Drawing on original research, client cases, and her personal experience with HFD, Dr. Judith empowers readers with five simple tools to reclaim their lives from this poorly understood condition. By following her Her 5 V’s – validation, venting, values, vision, and vitals – we can wake up happier, become more satisfied in our relationships, and regain joy in the present while looking forward to tomorrow. 

High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy PDF

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