Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy

Rate this book
Brought to you by Penguin.

A tried-and-tested handbook for understanding why you are experiencing High-Functioning Depression and how you can find the way back to hope and your true self.

With foreword written and read by Mel Robbins.


Do you feel you’re simply going through the motions? Succeeding at work, pulling your weight at home, living an active social life . . . yet deep down, you feel drained? If so, you may be experiencing High-Functioning Depression.

In the first book to uncover this new form of depression, Columbia University psychiatrist Dr Judith Joseph draws on her personal struggles with the illness, revealing brand-new research and client cases to demystify this common yet poorly understood condition.

Discover her empowering plan for managing depressive episodes, called the Five V’
processing past traumas and present pain
releasing frustrations and anxieties
identifying our key purpose and priorities
slowing down to hear our needs
celebrating successes, milestones and everyday joy

By following the Five V’s, we can put an end to self-sacrifice and self-sabotage, calm our inner turmoil, and go from merely functioning to truly living.

'If you've ever found yourself feeling 'off' without being able to put a finger on why, or if you're constantly busy but don't find yourself fulfilled, you're in the right place...This isn't just a book. It's a roadmap back to yourself.' Mel Robbins, Sunday Times bestselling author of 'The Let Them Theory'

‘Opens us to a different way of thinking’ Dr Ramani Durvasula

‘Her compassionate approach, rigorous research, and insightful analysis make this book a must-read' Paul Brunson

Judith Joseph 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Audible Audio

Published May 22, 2025

1 person is currently reading
56 people want to read

About the author

Dr Judith Joseph

3 books3 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
6 (60%)
4 stars
2 (20%)
3 stars
1 (10%)
2 stars
1 (10%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Profile Image for Deanne Welsh.
Author 13 books17 followers
June 26, 2025
This book was incredibly helpful and insightful. It provided me with strategic ideas that I could apply immediately and helped me gain a deeper understanding of both myself and the people around me.

The content is thoughtful and practical, offering real tools for personal growth and reflection. I found myself highlighting sections and coming back to them later—it’s the kind of book that stays with you. Highly recommend if you’re looking for clarity, perspective, and actionable steps forward.
Profile Image for Chelsea Reining.
525 reviews8 followers
April 4, 2025
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the Audio ARC!

I LOVED this - as someone who, very comfortable can say after reading this book, suffers from High Functioning Depression....this was amazing. It was easy to understand, relatable, and I never felt judged or like a specimen to be studied. Fantastic resource with realistic options and ways to cope - I recommend this to pretty much everyone!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.