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It's hard when you can't function as well as you're used to, but slogging on doesn't work when you're in a downward spiral. 

When you're at a crossroads in terms of your mental health, you need to really say, 'OK, I'm going to ask for five days off. That might mean the difference between me not having a mental health breakdown, or needing to take additional time off.

"To stay with it and maintain an independent and productive life -- it's important to identify it, get the appropriate treatment and then stick with that treatment." 

When depressed, you may hear thoughts telling you to be alone, keep quiet and not to bother people with your problems. Do not listen to them. 

Confiding in a friend to lighten your burden can begin a process of ending your unhappiness. Even the simple act of putting yourself in a social atmosphere can lift your spirits. 

The times you feel most like slumping on the couch are the moments you should force yourself to take a walk, cook a meal, or call a friend. 

If you've ever been depressed before, do whatever it was that helped you feel better before. Act against the critical inner voice that tells you nothing will help. 

Although “functional depression” isn’t a clinical diagnosis, for many people, it's a real problem.

This type of depression often goes undetected because when most people imagine a depressed individual, they think of someone who looks really sad or cries a lot. And while it's true that sadness and unexplained bouts of crying are common characteristics of depression, not everyone looks sad when they’re depressed.

Individuals who appear to be high-functioning may have persistent depressive disorder. Here are some of the common symptoms:

• Low self-esteem
• Changes in sleep habits (sleeping too much or too little)
• Changes in appetite (overeating or decreased appetite)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble making decisions
• Feelings of hopelessness

In order to qualify for a diagnosis, the symptoms must be present for two or more years. Consequently, many individuals who have these symptoms have learned to function despite them.