'High-Functioning' Achievers Who Excel In School & Work May Be Hiding Poor Mental Health, Warns Psychologist
The term 'high-functioning' is gaining popularity on social media. It describes someone who does well in their endeavors, but a psychologist now suggests it's used to hide struggles with mental health.??
What does 'high-functioning' mean?
The term "high-functioning" isn't a clinical term, but generally, it describes individuals who do well in work and school.?
It refers to someone with a disability, chronic illness, or mental health issue who can manage daily activities better than others with the same condition.
After the pandemic, when depression and anxiety levels surged, people realised that you can still excel in certain areas of life while experiencing depression or anxiety, explained Irina Gorelik, a psychologist from Williamsburg Therapy Group, speaking to CNBC Make It.
Working extra hard to cover up poor mental health
Gorelik likens high-functioning tendencies to masking - a person will work extra hard in the office in order to cover up their poor mental health.
The basic aspects of your life can be maintained without a significant change being noticed by others, but a lot more mental effort is required to sustain that high performance, Gorelik says.
But this thinking does suggest a significant change.?In the past, admitting mental health struggles might imply difficulties at work or school. The increase in using this term suggests that people are reconsidering what depression or anxiety can appear like.
30.4% Indians struggling with mental health in post-Covid era
People continue to struggle with their mental health in the post-Covid era and it appears that Indians are experiencing these difficulties more than others around the world.
The Mental State of the World Report 2023survey, conducted with more than four lakh people across 71 countries (46,982 in India), found that 30.4 per cent of Indians are distressed and struggling with their mental health, compared to 27.1 percent globally.
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