Latest news with #JudithJoseph
24-05-2025
- Health
Reclaim Joy with Dr. Judith Joseph
Board-certified psychiatrist and author of "High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy" Dr. Judith Joseph talks about opening yourself up to joy.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
7 Signs of 'High-Functioning Depression,' According to a Columbia-Trained Psychiatrist
Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. "You don't seem depressed," is a comment nobody with depression wants to hear. It doesn't change the reality of how you're feeling, and the skepticism doesn't offer any actual support. If anything, this type of statement might make you feel like something else is wrong with you or cause you to self-gaslight. However, you might be experiencing signs of high-functioning depression (HFD), according to a psychiatrist. "Just because someone isn't crying or sad doesn't mean they aren't struggling," Dr. Judith Joseph, MD, MBA, tells Parade. For example, "Anhedonia is a common symptom of HFD," she continues. "It is a lack of pleasure in things that once brought you joy." Not enjoying something that you used to love might be easy to ignore or disregard. You're busy, after all! But it's worth paying attention to and flagging. We live in a world where productivity is prized and staying busy can look like a successful life. However, even if things "look good" from the outside, if you're living out of an abundance of stress, your mental health is likely suffering. Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. Related: 7 Signs of Depression Most People Miss, According to Mental Health Experts How To Explain Depression to Someone Who Doesn't Have It "Depression results in a sad mood or 'anhedonia,' which is a lack of interest and pleasure in things," explains Dr. Joseph, author of High Functioning (April 8). "Additionally, depression must have at least five of the following symptoms (below), and the symptoms must cause a decrease in functioning or distress." "High-functioning depression is the same," she continues. "However, instead of losing functioning or being in distress, people tend to over-function." Related: This Is the #1 Early Depression Sign Most People Miss 7 Signs of High-Functioning Depression (HFD) 1. Fatigue "High-functioning depression often brings with it unrelenting fatigue," Dr. Joseph shares. "It's not the kind of tiredness that a good night's sleep can fix. Even when you've rested, you still feel physically and mentally drained. This exhaustion can affect your performance at work or your ability to enjoy your hobbies and time with loved ones." 2. Difficulty Concentrating "Concentrating on tasks or making decisions can become unexpectedly challenging," Dr. Joseph tells Parade. "You might find it harder to focus at work or even choose what to have for dinner. This cognitive fog can be frustrating and lead to feelings of inadequacy." 3. Irritability "High-functioning depression can make you more irritable than usual," she explains. "You might find yourself easily annoyed or agitated by small things that wouldn't have bothered you in the past. This change in your emotional responses can affect your relationships and work life." 4. Changes in Appetite "Pay attention to your eating habits—high-functioning depression can lead to significant changes in appetite," Dr. Joseph warns. "Some people may lose interest in food, leading to weight loss, while others may turn to food for comfort, resulting in weight gain. These changes are often linked to emotional distress." 5. Sleep Disturbances "Your sleep patterns may also be disrupted," she shares. "You might struggle with insomnia, making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep throughout the night. Conversely, you might find yourself oversleeping, unable to muster the energy to get out of bed." 6. Physical Symptoms "High-functioning depression can manifest as physical symptoms, such as unexplained headaches, digestive problems, or various aches and pains," Dr. Joseph says. "These symptoms can sometimes be the body's way of expressing the emotional distress you're experiencing." 7. Social Withdrawal "One of the telltale signs of high-functioning depression is social withdrawal," she explains. "You might begin to isolate yourself from friends and family, even if you were once outgoing and sociable. The effort required to engage in social activities can feel overwhelming." Related: Psychologists Are Begging People To Pay Attention to These 11 Early Signs of Loneliness The Difference Between Depression and HFD "Our current healthcare system requires physicians, therapists and insurance companies to require a significant loss in functioning or emotional distress before you can code and bill for depression," Dr. Joseph explains. "You need to have symptoms of depression like changes in sleep, mood, energy and a significant loss of functioning (or significant distress) to meet criteria for clinical depression." Unfortunately, this can make it more difficult for individuals to get the help and support they need. "There are millions of us who don't meet criteria for clinical depression, despite having symptoms of depression, because we are still functioning," she continues. "We push through pain, and instead of breaking down and losing functioning, we are pathologically productive. We overwork and overproduce to distract from negative emotions." Just because HFD looks different than "typical" depression doesn't mean it doesn't need to be addressed. "We know from evidence-based science that constant mental stress leads to poor physical and mental health outcomes," Dr. Joseph explains. "We have a choice: we can wait and react when people break down, or we can proactively prevent these negative outcomes from happening." Related: 11 Phrases That Signal a Person's Lonely, According to Psychologists Risk Factors of HFD "Since publishing the research, I have had several people from academic institutions around the world reach out to inquire about the risk factors of HFD," Dr. Joseph shares. "What I have found in my study that trauma is a risk factor. A prestigious trauma institute in Europe was curious about the types of traumas that makes people prone to HFD. While we need more research in this area, it is likely that people use overworking and staying busy as a trauma response to avoid coping with past emotional pain." The trauma may lead to people-pleasing tendencies in individuals with HFD as well. "People pleasers tend to bend over backwards and put other people's joy ahead of themselves," Dr. Joseph says. "They may experience anhedonia, because they do not prioritize their own joy and put other people's interests ahead of themselves." "People with HFD tend to overwork in all areas of their lives," she continues. "This tendency to overwork and people please may stem from unprocessed trauma. Feeling unlovable and unworthy are trauma responses, and perhaps unresolved trauma leads these people to busy themselves to feel worthy of acceptance and love as well as approval." Up Next: Related: The Unexpected Depression Sign a Geriatrician Is Begging People Over 50 to Pay Attention To Source: Dr. Judith Joseph, MD, MBACourtesy Dr. Judith Joseph
CNBC
29-04-2025
- Health
- CNBC
Psychiatrist: The surprising dark side of being highly successful—and 5 tools that can help
Depression doesn't look the same for everyone. In fact, even some of the most productive people, who always achieve their goals can still suffer from the mood disorder. Symptoms of depression can include feeling hopeless, losing interest in things that used to be exciting, tiredness, and reduced appetite. Although it's not a clinical diagnosis, "high-functioning depression" is a term used to describe "anyone who is grappling with mental health issues while accomplishing their day-to-day tasks and upholding their responsibilities," according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. "People with high-functioning depression, they're overly functioning. When they sit still, they feel empty. When they're not busy, they feel restless," says Dr. Judith Joseph, a board-certified psychiatrist and author of "High Functioning." Experiencing trauma like financial woes or a painful childhood can cause certain people to experience high-functioning depression by channeling their emotions through productivity, she explains in her book. If you're experiencing symptoms of depression, it's important to consult with your doctor or a mental health professional. Still, there are small things you can do day-to-day to help cope. Joseph created a framework to combat high-functioning depression that she derived from treating patients across age groups. She calls it "the five V's." "The five V's remind you of the five fingers, because joy is within our hands. We just need to know how to grasp it," she tells CNBC Make It. Joseph doesn't advise attempting all five V's at once because they should provide relief not additional stress. "I think high-functioning people like to do a lot," she says. Instead, she encourages this more measured approach: "Tap into one or two every day with the intention of 'I'm going to try to get one point of joy today.'" "Validation is acknowledging and accepting how you feel, which is very difficult for people who are high-functioning to do," Joseph says. Although it may be uncomfortable, identifying and coming to terms with how you're feeling can be therapeutic and lead to joy. "When we can't identify our emotions, we get confused," Joseph says. "Some of us confuse anxiety for anger, so we act irritable when we're actually worried. So it's important to be able to name your emotion and accept it." Being able to express your feelings authentically and in a healthy way is necessary to process your emotions. Joseph suggests venting with intention, which means asking for feedback that can help you come up with a solution to the problem — whatever it may be. "If you're going to vent to someone who's not a therapist, ask for emotional consent," she says. For example, you could preface the conversation by saying, "I really need to vent right now. Would that be okay with you?" "You want to check in and make sure the person has the capacity to hear you out, because you don't want to feel rejected. And you don't want to overwhelm someone." Journaling, singing, praying or even crying are also forms of venting. Joseph suggests you choose a healthy way of expression that best aligns with you. In her research, Joseph has found that people with high-functioning depression can fall into patterns of chasing things like clout, money, accolades and achievements. Instead, she suggests focusing on finding your values, the things that bring you joy and give your life meaning. Ask yourself, "What are the things that actually give you meaning and purpose in life?" she says. "Tap into those every day." Prioritizing your physical health can lead to positive effects on your mental health. When you're not feeling like yourself, Joseph says to focus on answering this question: "What are some ways I can support my mind-body connection?" You can start by paying closer attention to the foods you eat, how often you're moving your body and whether you're getting enough good sleep. "There are these non-traditional vitals that we often neglect like the quality of our relationships, whether or not we have a healthy relationship with technology, whether or not we have a good work-life balance," she says. If you're aware of gaps in these areas, you can work to improve them. The final V is all about leaving the past behind and moving forward in life. "This is a reminder to practice joy, and plan joy in the future because many of us get so busy we forget to do this," Joseph says. Your vision of the future may also include what you plan to do after daily tasks like dropping your kids off to school on time. Joseph recommends celebrating those moments in small, meaningful ways like having a cup of coffee or putting your feet up during a free pocket of time.
CNBC
24-04-2025
- Health
- CNBC
1 of the most common reasons you feel numb to your wins—and how to fix it: 'Joy is an experience, happiness is an idea'
Graduating from college or receiving an award at work typically leaves people feeling proud of what they've accomplished and excited about what's to come. But, some people can feel numb after achieving major goals in life. "One of the most common reasons that people feel numb to wins is something called anhedonia," says Dr. Judith Joseph, board-certified psychiatrist and author of "High Functioning," a book about overcoming high-functioning depression. "Anhedonia is when people lack feeling and pleasure in the things that they used to enjoy. For example, you used to enjoy going outside and being in nature, but now you don't get the same excitement. Or you used to enjoy your favorite music, and when it plays it doesn't light you up anymore." Experiencing anhedonia, which is a symptom not a condition, is typically a sign of a mood disorder like depression. And, Joseph says, it is possible to combat that symptom and start experiencing more positive feelings after a big win. In most cases, Joseph finds that people who feel numb to their wins have a philosophy of "I will be happy when..." before they set out to accomplish something. "'I'll be happy when I get that job. I'll be happy when I have the partner. I'll be happy when I finish school or get into school,"' she says. "We know from the research that the mentality of 'I will be happy when...' is a setup for complete unhappiness. It's counterintuitive." Waiting for a major life event to make you happy delays your ability to experience the emotion now because it puts too much pressure on the future and doesn't allow you to live in the present. This way of thinking can also lead to what experts call the hedonic treadmill, which involves looking for your next big accomplishment immediately after you achieve something. To combat anhedonia, Joseph suggests experiencing joy daily. "Joy is an experience. Happiness is an idea," she says. You can incorporate bits of joy throughout your day by asking yourself questions like: If any area feels like it's lacking, take one step to improve it. If you usually eat lunch at your desk and don't savor your food, head outside instead or don't look at any screens until you've finished your meal. And when you're with your loved ones, make eye contact when you talk and be present in the conversation. "We take those small things for granted, and then we end up feeling 'meh' or 'blah,'" Joseph says. "It's the experience of these human sensations that make up joy. And when you add them up, that's what happiness really is."
USA Today
18-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
What are SSRIs? Explaining the antidepressant medication
What are SSRIs? Explaining the antidepressant medication Show Caption Hide Caption How are SSRIs used to treat depression and anxiety? Antidepressants like SSRIs can be life-saving for people struggling with depression, OCD, anxiety and other mental health conditions. Here's how the work. Depression is a mental illness that can make everyday tasks feel difficult. But health professionals can offer many tools to help keep symptoms at bay. Depression, also referred to as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a condition that can cause severe symptoms related to the way you feel, think and go about doing daily activities, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Common symptoms of depression include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, changes in appetite, sleep disturbances and more. "It's important to realize that these are conditions to manage," psychiatrist Dr. Judith Joseph tells USA TODAY. "Doing daily preventative practices to prevent worsening of depression ... is important." One popular avenue to prevent worsening of depression is by taking daily medication, such as an SSRI. While this kind of medication has come under scrutiny as of late, medical experts maintain that they're safe and effective. Here's what health professionals want you to know about SSRIs, and whether they may help you or a loved one experiencing depression or anxiety symptoms. In case you missed: Trump, RFK Jr. go after SSRIs in executive order. Here's how they work What is an SSRI? SSRI stands for "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor," a class of medication that medical professionals most commonly prescribe to treat a variety of mental health conditions, according to StatPearls, a digital resource available through the U.S. National Library of Medicine's National Center for Biotechnology Information. "They modulate serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain and help to ease symptoms of anxiety and depression," Joseph says, and improve quality of life. Common SSRIs include fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, citalopram, escitalopram and vilazodone. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved SSRIs to treat a number of other issues including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), bulimia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Health professionals sometimes also prescribe SSRIs for off-label uses including to help with binge eating disorder, fibromyalgia, premature ejaculation, autism and vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause. Key explainer: What to know about depression symptoms and treatments How do SSRIs work? SSRIs are a subsection of the larger class of antidepressants. Other antidepressants usually prescribed for depression, according to NYU Langone Health, include serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors such as venlafaxine and duloxetine and atypical antidepressants including bupropion and mirtazapine. Joseph highlights benefits of SSRIs including helping to release tension and anxiety while improving mood. "Other antidepressants may be more activating because of their norepinephrine quality," she adds. Antidepressants in general may cause side effects including an upset gastrointestinal tract, decreased libido, weight gain, headaches, insomnia, tremor or temperature changes, according to Joseph. But medical professionals usually prescribe SSRIs, along with other forms of approved antidepressants because they believe the benefits outweigh the side effects. Health providers often prescribe SSRIs because of their "safety, efficacy and tolerability," per StatPearls.
