Hey there!

Did you know that some people living with depression and anxiety continue to function normally in daily life? They go to work, attend school, laugh with friends, and carry on with responsibilities like nothing is wrong.

This is known as functional or high functioning depression and anxiety.

That’s the new thing I learned today.

I find it fascinating how someone can be sunny, bright, and lively like every other day, while still battling so much internally. Because they appear fine on the outside, their mental health struggles are often overlooked or even dismissed.

Often when we hear the word depression, we think of something very extreme. Many people imagine depression or anxiety as constant crying, staying in bed all day, or having a sad and downcast look.

But the truth is, depression does not always look loud.

Sometimes it looks like showing up every day.

Sometimes it looks like smiling through pain.

Sometimes it looks like being productive while breaking silently inside.

The real depression often hides behind “I’m fine”, behind laughter, behind strength, and behind people who seem to have it all together.

Dearest reader, life is already tough. You have no idea how much people are carrying in their hearts. At the end of the day, life goes on, and many people have no choice but to keep moving, whether they feel okay or not.

A poet I love once said, “If the pain won’t go away, take it with you.”

And that’s exactly how people with functional depression often live. They carry the pain quietly and keep pushing through life, hoping for better days.

So today, be kind.

Be gentle.

Not everyone who is struggling looks broken.

Some look just fine.

@favvy_Okwans🖤.