The #1 Symptom of Depression If you find yourself beginning to isolate from others, then you may be teetering into high functioning depression. I put it as #1 because it can stir up a lot of the other symptoms. That’s because isolation does 3 things to us: 1. Isolation increases negative self-talk – • When I don’t have others around me who will challenge my negativity with the truth then I tend to assume my negativity is the truth. 2. Isolation decreases the chance of having positive experiences – • When I am by myself, the chances of new ideas, new encouragement, and new successes is limited. 3. Isolation creates a lack of accountability to achieve – • When I don’t have accountability to push me and to sharpen me, I often continue in the same dull direction. Proverbs says, “As Iron sharpens iron so does one man sharpen another.” If you find yourself creeping into depression, find ways of reconnecting. Homework: • Commit to getting back in church for 5 Sundays in a row. • Find a group of people who enjoy walking, biking, or going to the gym and join them. • Go grab lunch with a group of coworkers. And hey, if all else fails and you want to dig deeper, give me a call and we can get something scheduled.

What is High Functioning Depression? If you’re the person who gets crap done, shows up for your family, runs your business, and keeps pushing—even when you feel dead inside—this might hit home. You might be struggling with this thing called DEPRESSION. Maybe you’ve heard of it. It doesn’t always look like crying in bed or missing work. In fact, it often looks like achievement. Busyness. Holding it all together. But inside? You’re worn out. Numb. And starting to wonder if something’s wrong with you. Let’s talk about what this high-functioning form of depression IS and what it IS NOT. It’s NOT: • Laziness or weakness • Just being tired from a long week • Something you can fix by "sucking it up and pushing through” It IS: • Feeling emotionally flat or disconnected, even when life looks good • Going through the motions—parenting, working, providing—but not feeling present • Quietly wondering: “Why do I feel this way when I have so much?” You’re not broken—and you’re definitely not alone. High-functioning depression is real. And it’s more common than you think—especially in men who lead, provide, and never let anyone see them sweat. Homework: Take 5 minutes at the end of your day to answer this one question in a journal or your Notes app: “What did I feel today—beneath the work, the schedule, the routine?” You don’t have to keep white-knuckling your way through life. You can feel better. And we’ll talk more about how—right here, each week. www.danielcrosbycounseling.com