Why I’m Conducting The First of Its Kind Study on High-Functioning Depression
Introduction
High-Functioning Depression (HFD) is a complex mental health phenomenon that is not yet recognized by the DSM-5 that often goes unnoticed due to one’s ability to maintain their daily lives and functioning at high levels. In this blog, I want to share with you the reasons behind my decision to conducted the first of-its-kind study in HFD. As a renowned psychiatrist and researcher, I believe this study has the potential to make a significant impact on mental health awareness and possibly how we support those who identify as experiencing HFD.
Understanding HFD
Before we delve into the study, let's first understand what HFD entails. High-Functioning Depression is characterized by individuals experiencing depressive symptoms while still effectively managing their daily responsibilities at high levels and these individuals do not acknowledge or report being distressed. This unique aspect of HFD makes it challenging to identify and address.
My Research Journey and Lab
I'm proud to lead a team of ten talented women who serve as clinical research coordinators and physicians. Together, we are dedicated to developing and exploring novel treatments for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, as well as more complex conditions such and dementia.
My lab is the first of its kind to study High-Functioning conditions, including depression, ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, postpartum depression, and OCD. We have developed original psychometric scales for mood and anxiety, as well as wellness scales to test products so that they are evidence-based.
Recognizing the Need
The need for this study became evident through my interactions with patients in Manhattan who didn't fit the traditional box of depression but were still showing signs of depression. These individuals were struggling to identify what is known as anhedonia, and I saw firsthand that they were searching for answers and support. Too often, people with HFD are overlooked or turned away because they don't fit the mold of loss of functioning in depression. It's a condition that has been ignored for far too long and is likely a prodromal period of depression or other mental health conditions.
Objectives and Goals
My study aims to achieve several critical objectives:
Increased Awareness: By shedding light on HFD, I hope to increase awareness about this often-overlooked mental health phenomenon.
Accurate identification of symptoms: Developing more precise criteria for HFD can lead to earlier detection and intervention.
Tailored Treatment: The study aims to explore possible treatment strategies tailored to individuals with HFD, addressing their unique challenges.
Reduced Stigma: By destigmatizing mental health issues, I aim to encourage more open conversations about mental well-being.
Importance of the Study
Importance of the Study
Understanding HFD is vital for several reasons:
Unseen Struggles: HFD often hides behind a facade of normalcy, leaving individuals to grapple with their struggles in isolation.
Early Intervention: Early detection and treatment may prevent the worsening of symptoms and improve long-term outcomes.
Holistic Well-Being: Mental health is a crucial component of overall well-being. Recognizing and addressing HFD is essential for living a fulfilling life.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
Conducting research on mental health conditions comes with its set of challenges and ethical considerations. Ensuring the well-being and privacy of participants, adhering to ethical research practices, and maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality are paramount. The study was presented and submitted to an IRB board last year.
Call to Action
As the study progresses, it's essential for everyone to stay informed about its outcomes and implications. Supporting research in mental health, led by board certified clinicians is a step toward a more compassionate and understanding society. I hope that other labs and researchers begin to explore the phenomenon of HFD so that we understand how to support people who identify as living with HFD to live better lives.
Conclusion
The of it’s kind study on High-Functioning Depression is not just an academic endeavor; it's a personal mission driven by my passion for understanding and addressing the complexities of mental health. With my expertise and dedication, I believe we can create a world where mental health is understood, valued, and supported.
You can take this insightful quiz at Dr. Judith's High Functioning Depression Quiz for a better understanding of your experiences. Keep in mind that this is in no way a diagnosis and that these tools may be useful when discussing a treatment plan and diagnosis with your licensed provider
Disclaimer: You may want to consider your individual mental health needs with a licensed medical professional. This page is not medical advice.
Dr. Judith Joseph, a board-certified Psychiatrist and Media Consultant with over 1 million followers on social media, leads the First-of-its-kind study on High-Functioning Depression. While there is a multitude of research on depression and dysthymia, there is very little on depression in the prodromal phase in people who have symptoms of depression but do not meet criteria for a major depressive episode because they are functioning at a high capacity and they do not report or acknowledge being in significant distress. These individuals do not necessarily identify with the emotion “depression” until someone points out that they are exhibiting symptoms of depression and or anhedonia. While High Functioning Depression is a term that has risen recently in the past 5 years in the online discourse and mental health circles, it is not yet recognized amongst medical professionals and is not in the diagnostic manual for psychiatry (DMS-5). Many individuals during and after the Covid-19 pandemic began to present to Dr. Judith’s practice using the term, “High Functioning Depression” and there have been reports of HFD worsening without treatment into fatal forms of mental illnesses. This along with Dr. Judith’s online followers asking for more resources on HFD, led to Dr. Judith and her research team submitting the first of its kind High Functioning Depression study to the IRB in 2023. She is currently enrolling individuals into this study to learn more about the risk factors and unique presentations of individuals who identify as having High Functioning Depression. Dr. Judith holds degrees in biology, chemistry, religion medicine, and business from prestigious institutions such as Duke University and Columbia, and has post-doctoral and research training at Columbia University and NYU. Passionate about inclusive mental health treatments, Dr. Judith heads a dedicated team of 10 women focused on innovative research for various mental health conditions. Her lab pioneers high-functioning conditions research, develops psychometric scales for mood and anxiety, and promotes evidence-based approaches. Her lab has enrolled patients into phase 2-4 clinical research studies aiding in the development of novel treatments for pediatric, adult and geriatric conditions ranging from ADHD to Alzheimer’s dementia. Some of the novel treatments have become FDA approve and now help to treat millions of people worldwide. Her clinical research site, Manhattan Behavioral Medicine has participated in both Pharma and NIH funded research and is one of the few clinical research sites solely owned and solely operated by a black woman Principal Investigator. This is important as it is well known that for many years minority populations and women were largely underrepresented in clinical research. Dr. Judith is dedicated to creating space for diversity and inclusion in this space so that research and evidence-based treatments are representative of all populations. Dr. Judith Joseph is committed to advancing mental health treatment and embracing diversity in her work.