TMS THERAPY
FDA-cleared, non-medication depression treatment
Daniel Hageman
Can a depressed person be visually identified? Do people who suffer with depression manifest certain mannerisms, expressions or behaviors? Mainstream media has historically branded the face of depression as a person curled up in bed, sitting in a dark corner, crying themselves to sleep, or not having the energy to attend school or work. Depression does not always manifest in this overt classically characterized depiction. There are many people who struggle daily with depression, but their outward appearance and actions might not be so obvious.
Can a depressed person be visually identified? Do people who suffer with depression manifest certain mannerisms, expressions or behaviors? Mainstream media has historically branded the face of depression as a person curled up in bed, sitting in a dark corner, crying themselves to sleep, or not having the energy to attend school or work. Depression does not always manifest in this overt classically characterized depiction. There are many people who struggle daily with depression, but their outward appearance and actions might not obviously show their struggle.
High functioning depression is not an official subset of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) but is used colloquially to refer to people who appear to be high achieving-- performing well at their workplaces, maintaining exercise regimens, and engaging in social activities-- but beneath this veneer of success they struggle to get through their days.
As the recent suicides of fashion designer Kate Spade and chef Anthony Bourdain remind us, when it appears outwardly that someone may "have it all," it might not actually be the case. They may find it more difficult to seek help because of the internal and external pressures to maintain the facade of effortless success. A highly functioning person with depression may even downplay their own struggles because they are still able to engage in their daily lives and do not fit the "typical" image of a depressed person. They may also feel shame for being simultaneously successful and unhappy, causing them to worry about being perceived as spoiled or ungrateful, or not taken seriously if they were to reach out for help. Others who experience great success and are able to engage in activities might not even recognize the severity of their symptoms.
With depression, it is critical to keep an eye out for symptoms, which include:
It’s important to recognize changes in yourself and those around you, no matter how someone’s life appears to be going. Appearances can be deceiving, especially those that are carefully curated on social media.
If you or a loved one are experiencing depressive symptoms, we urge you to reach out for help. Depression is a treatable condition and people do not have to suffer. There are a variety of ways to treat depression, including medication, talk therapy, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy. If you or a loved one are struggling with depression and find that medication and talk therapy are not enough, schedule a free consultation with Greenbrook TMS to learn how we can help.
Take our 6 question quiz to see if TMS therapy could be right for you
Subscribe for mental health, self-care, and TMS therapy updates for those affected by treatment-resistant depression or OCD.
Thank you for subscribing to our email list!
Oops, there was an error adding your subscription.
Please try again later.
By providing your email address, you are consenting to receive blog updates from Greenbrook TMS Inc. You may unsubscribe from these alerts at any time by following the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of email alerts. At Greenbrook TMS Inc. we take the privacy and security of your personal information seriously. To learn more about how we protect your personal information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
Greenbrook TMS supports an accessible internet. If you have any questions about our accessibility features, please contact us at
866.928.6076 and/or info@greenbrooktms.com.
All Rights Reserved | Greenbrook TMS NeuroHealth Centers.