High Functioning Depression
An interactive PSA. By Narlin Chimbo Once
Start
Alex wakes up to their alarm ringing at 8:00 AM. They feel exhausted and unmotivated, but it’s time to start the day. What will they do?
Case Study
Get out of bed on the first alarm
Alex is a college student who seems to have it all together. They attend every class, maintain decent grades, and even show up to social events with friends. On the outside, Alex appears focused and successful, always smiling and engaging with others. But beneath this facade, Alex struggles daily with a persistent sense of emptiness and fatigue. They wake up each morning feeling drained, despite a full night’s sleep, and often force themselves to get through the day by pushing down their feelings.
Hit snooze several times before finally getting up
Wake up but stay in bed scrolling on my phone
Case 1
Go to class early to review notes.
Alex goes through their morning routine, feeling numb but staying productive. Now it’s time to head out. What’s next?
Grab a quick breakfast alone at Peter B's.
Case B
Skip breakfast and rush to class.
Alex hits snooze a few times before finally dragging themself out of bed. They’re now running a bit late. What’s their next move?
Text a friend to meet up and try to lift their mood before class.
Case C
Get up and go to class, even though they feel like staying home.
Alex stays in bed for a while, scrolling on their phone and avoiding the day. They feel drained before even starting. What do they decide to do?
Email the professor saying they’re feeling sick and skip class.
Case A.A
Head back to their dorm and rest.
Alex sits alone in the classroom, reviewing notes and trying to focus. The quiet helps a bit. What will they do after class?
Meet a friend at the UG to try and feel connected.
Case A.B
Go straight to class and focus on getting through the day.
Alex eats breakfast alone at Peter B's, scrolling through their phone to pass the time. They don’t feel like talking to anyone. What’s their plan after this?
Text a friend to meet up for moral support.
Case B.A
Try to join a group in class to avoid feeling isolated.
Alex skips breakfast and heads straight to class, feeling more tired than ever. They try to focus, but it’s hard to stay engaged. What do they do next?
Spend the rest of the day alone to recharge.
Case B.B
Did you know that windows allow you to add more extensive content?
Go to the library to study with their friend
Alex texts a friend, who agrees to meet up. Having someone around makes them feel a little better, even though it’s hard to explain their feelings. What’s their plan after this?.
Go to the library to study alone.
Case C.A
Check in with a family member
Alex pushes through and heads to class. They feel detached but manage to get through it. After class, they have some free time. What will they do?
Their therapist reccomended trying jounrnaling in their free time.
Case C.B
Try to get some rest and let themselves take a break.
Alex decides to skip class, feeling guilty but too overwhelmed to go. They stay in their room, unsure of how to feel better. What will they do next?
Start studying alone, even though it feels pointless.
Choosing self care
Alex wakes up from a nap feeling slightly better but still carrying a sense of heaviness. The day feels like a blur, but at least they got through it. As they prepare for bed, Alex reflects on how exhausting it is to keep up appearances. They remind themselves that it's okay to rest and that they’re doing their best, even if it doesn’t always feel like enough.
Restart
Communication
Alex opens up to their friend about how they’ve been feeling lately. Their friend listens with compassion and reassures Alex that they’re not alone. Alex feels a small sense of relief, realizing that sharing their struggles, even a little, lightens the load. They end the day with a bit more hope, knowing that support is there when they need it."
Restart
Social media
Alex spends the evening scrolling through social media, feeling numb and disconnected. It’s a temporary escape, but they know it doesn’t solve anything. As they lie down for the night, they make a mental note to reach out to someone for support tomorrow, reminding themselves that facing these feelings alone is not the only option.
Restart
Friendship
Studying with a friend helps Alex stay somewhat focused, even though their mind often drifts. They end the study session feeling grateful for the company and support, realizing that small connections can make a difference. As they head home, Alex reflects on how important it is to have people around who understand and care, even on the hardest days.
Restart
self-care
During their walk, Alex feels a sense of calm that comes with being outdoors. The fresh air gives them a moment of peace, a small reprieve from the weight they carry. As the day ends, Alex resolves to make more time for small moments like this, understanding that self-care doesn’t have to be big or complicated—it can be as simple as taking a breath.
Restart
friendship
Alex calls a friend and chats about their day, finding some comfort in the conversation. Their friend’s support helps Alex feel a little more grounded, and as they say goodbye, they feel grateful for the connection. Alex ends the day realizing that reaching out is hard, but it’s worth it when it makes them feel less alone.
Restart
recharging
Alex spends a quiet evening at home, allowing themselves to unwind. They feel a mix of guilt and relief, but ultimately, they know they needed this time to recharge. As they go to bed, they remind themselves that it’s okay to take breaks and that resting is part of taking care of themselves.
Restart
Journaling
Alex decides to journal for a few minutes, writing down their thoughts and emotions. They find a small sense of clarity and release in putting their feelings into words. As they close the journal, Alex feels a bit lighter, realizing that taking time to process their feelings is a step toward healing.
Restart
Family
Alex calls a family member, finding comfort in a familiar voice. They don’t discuss their struggles but feel a sense of warmth and connection. As they end the call, Alex realizes that small interactions like these can help them feel a little more grounded, a reminder that they’re not alone.
Restart
Self-Care
Alex finds a quiet place to practing tapping, calming their mind for a moment. The tension eases slightly, and they feel a small sense of relief. Ending the day with a moment of self-compassion, Alex reminds themselves that even small steps toward self-care matter.
Restart
Self-care
Alex decides to truly let go and rest, telling themselves that it’s okay to take a break without guilt. Alex spends the night watching their favorite show and making dinner for themselves. As they unwind, they feel a small sense of peace, knowing that they’re allowed to care for themselves, even if it feels difficult. They go to bed with a little more hope for tomorrow.
Restart
Sleep
Alex closes their books and decides to let the day end without pressure. They realize that even though they didn’t accomplish everything, they’ve done enough. As they drift off to sleep, they remind themselves that tomorrow is another day. However, they are slightly restless becuase they did not finish all their assignments.
Restart
Priorities
Alex manages to get through all of his tasks for the day. He wakes up on time, goes to all his classes, completes his assignments, and even participates in a study group. By 8:00 PM, he finally makes it back to his dorm, exhausted but accomplished. Yet, as he sets down his bag and takes a moment to breathe, he realizes that he’s drained. There’s no energy left to watch a favorite show, call a friend, or work on hobbies. Alex sits on his bed, scrolling through his phone, feeling an emptiness that productivity hasn’t filled. Despite accomplishing everything on his to-do list, he feels like he’s missing something deeper. As he prepares for bed, Alex already feels the pressure building for tomorrow. He knows he has to keep this pace to stay on top of everything, so he plans to do it all over again.
Restart
Overwhelmed
Alex heads home feeling drained and defeated. The attempt to reach out didn’t go as planned, and they feel overwhelmed by the experience. Although they pushed themselves to try, they’re left questioning if it was worth the effort. This moment highlights the struggle of balancing the desire for connection with the anxiety that can come from social interactions, especially when managing high-functioning depression.
Restart
High Functioning Depression
Narlin Chimbo Once
Created on November 10, 2024
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Transcript
High Functioning Depression
An interactive PSA. By Narlin Chimbo Once
Start
Alex wakes up to their alarm ringing at 8:00 AM. They feel exhausted and unmotivated, but it’s time to start the day. What will they do?
Case Study
Get out of bed on the first alarm
Alex is a college student who seems to have it all together. They attend every class, maintain decent grades, and even show up to social events with friends. On the outside, Alex appears focused and successful, always smiling and engaging with others. But beneath this facade, Alex struggles daily with a persistent sense of emptiness and fatigue. They wake up each morning feeling drained, despite a full night’s sleep, and often force themselves to get through the day by pushing down their feelings.
Hit snooze several times before finally getting up
Wake up but stay in bed scrolling on my phone
Case 1
Go to class early to review notes.
Alex goes through their morning routine, feeling numb but staying productive. Now it’s time to head out. What’s next?
Grab a quick breakfast alone at Peter B's.
Case B
Skip breakfast and rush to class.
Alex hits snooze a few times before finally dragging themself out of bed. They’re now running a bit late. What’s their next move?
Text a friend to meet up and try to lift their mood before class.
Case C
Get up and go to class, even though they feel like staying home.
Alex stays in bed for a while, scrolling on their phone and avoiding the day. They feel drained before even starting. What do they decide to do?
Email the professor saying they’re feeling sick and skip class.
Case A.A
Head back to their dorm and rest.
Alex sits alone in the classroom, reviewing notes and trying to focus. The quiet helps a bit. What will they do after class?
Meet a friend at the UG to try and feel connected.
Case A.B
Go straight to class and focus on getting through the day.
Alex eats breakfast alone at Peter B's, scrolling through their phone to pass the time. They don’t feel like talking to anyone. What’s their plan after this?
Text a friend to meet up for moral support.
Case B.A
Try to join a group in class to avoid feeling isolated.
Alex skips breakfast and heads straight to class, feeling more tired than ever. They try to focus, but it’s hard to stay engaged. What do they do next?
Spend the rest of the day alone to recharge.
Case B.B
Did you know that windows allow you to add more extensive content?
Go to the library to study with their friend
Alex texts a friend, who agrees to meet up. Having someone around makes them feel a little better, even though it’s hard to explain their feelings. What’s their plan after this?.
Go to the library to study alone.
Case C.A
Check in with a family member
Alex pushes through and heads to class. They feel detached but manage to get through it. After class, they have some free time. What will they do?
Their therapist reccomended trying jounrnaling in their free time.
Case C.B
Try to get some rest and let themselves take a break.
Alex decides to skip class, feeling guilty but too overwhelmed to go. They stay in their room, unsure of how to feel better. What will they do next?
Start studying alone, even though it feels pointless.
Choosing self care
Alex wakes up from a nap feeling slightly better but still carrying a sense of heaviness. The day feels like a blur, but at least they got through it. As they prepare for bed, Alex reflects on how exhausting it is to keep up appearances. They remind themselves that it's okay to rest and that they’re doing their best, even if it doesn’t always feel like enough.
Restart
Communication
Alex opens up to their friend about how they’ve been feeling lately. Their friend listens with compassion and reassures Alex that they’re not alone. Alex feels a small sense of relief, realizing that sharing their struggles, even a little, lightens the load. They end the day with a bit more hope, knowing that support is there when they need it."
Restart
Social media
Alex spends the evening scrolling through social media, feeling numb and disconnected. It’s a temporary escape, but they know it doesn’t solve anything. As they lie down for the night, they make a mental note to reach out to someone for support tomorrow, reminding themselves that facing these feelings alone is not the only option.
Restart
Friendship
Studying with a friend helps Alex stay somewhat focused, even though their mind often drifts. They end the study session feeling grateful for the company and support, realizing that small connections can make a difference. As they head home, Alex reflects on how important it is to have people around who understand and care, even on the hardest days.
Restart
self-care
During their walk, Alex feels a sense of calm that comes with being outdoors. The fresh air gives them a moment of peace, a small reprieve from the weight they carry. As the day ends, Alex resolves to make more time for small moments like this, understanding that self-care doesn’t have to be big or complicated—it can be as simple as taking a breath.
Restart
friendship
Alex calls a friend and chats about their day, finding some comfort in the conversation. Their friend’s support helps Alex feel a little more grounded, and as they say goodbye, they feel grateful for the connection. Alex ends the day realizing that reaching out is hard, but it’s worth it when it makes them feel less alone.
Restart
recharging
Alex spends a quiet evening at home, allowing themselves to unwind. They feel a mix of guilt and relief, but ultimately, they know they needed this time to recharge. As they go to bed, they remind themselves that it’s okay to take breaks and that resting is part of taking care of themselves.
Restart
Journaling
Alex decides to journal for a few minutes, writing down their thoughts and emotions. They find a small sense of clarity and release in putting their feelings into words. As they close the journal, Alex feels a bit lighter, realizing that taking time to process their feelings is a step toward healing.
Restart
Family
Alex calls a family member, finding comfort in a familiar voice. They don’t discuss their struggles but feel a sense of warmth and connection. As they end the call, Alex realizes that small interactions like these can help them feel a little more grounded, a reminder that they’re not alone.
Restart
Self-Care
Alex finds a quiet place to practing tapping, calming their mind for a moment. The tension eases slightly, and they feel a small sense of relief. Ending the day with a moment of self-compassion, Alex reminds themselves that even small steps toward self-care matter.
Restart
Self-care
Alex decides to truly let go and rest, telling themselves that it’s okay to take a break without guilt. Alex spends the night watching their favorite show and making dinner for themselves. As they unwind, they feel a small sense of peace, knowing that they’re allowed to care for themselves, even if it feels difficult. They go to bed with a little more hope for tomorrow.
Restart
Sleep
Alex closes their books and decides to let the day end without pressure. They realize that even though they didn’t accomplish everything, they’ve done enough. As they drift off to sleep, they remind themselves that tomorrow is another day. However, they are slightly restless becuase they did not finish all their assignments.
Restart
Priorities
Alex manages to get through all of his tasks for the day. He wakes up on time, goes to all his classes, completes his assignments, and even participates in a study group. By 8:00 PM, he finally makes it back to his dorm, exhausted but accomplished. Yet, as he sets down his bag and takes a moment to breathe, he realizes that he’s drained. There’s no energy left to watch a favorite show, call a friend, or work on hobbies. Alex sits on his bed, scrolling through his phone, feeling an emptiness that productivity hasn’t filled. Despite accomplishing everything on his to-do list, he feels like he’s missing something deeper. As he prepares for bed, Alex already feels the pressure building for tomorrow. He knows he has to keep this pace to stay on top of everything, so he plans to do it all over again.
Restart
Overwhelmed
Alex heads home feeling drained and defeated. The attempt to reach out didn’t go as planned, and they feel overwhelmed by the experience. Although they pushed themselves to try, they’re left questioning if it was worth the effort. This moment highlights the struggle of balancing the desire for connection with the anxiety that can come from social interactions, especially when managing high-functioning depression.
Restart