Session 456: The Realities of High Functioning Depression

Session 456: The Realities of High Functioning Depression

From Therapy for Black Girls by iHeartPodcasts and Joy Harden Bradford, Ph.D.

March 25, 2026 · 48 min · Episode 456

About this episode

This episode explores high-functioning depression, particularly in Black women, and features Dr. Judith Joseph discussing her book on the topic.

When we think about depression, there’s a common image that comes to mind–sleeping all day or not enough, withdrawing from responsibilities, and feeling an overall inability to function. And while that image is accurate, it doesn’t tell the whole story of what depression can look like. For many people, especially Black women, depression can show on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Instead of withdrawing, we give too much, thrusting ourselves into our jobs, family responsibilities, and overcommitting to whatever keeps us constantly in motion. This is what’s referred to as high-functioning depression and here to unpack what that really looks like is a guest you may have heard on the show before, Dr. Judith Joseph. In her book, ‘High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy’, she explores how depression can hide behind competence and accomplishment, particularly for people who have been conditioned to cling to resilience in their most challenging moments. About the Podcast The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Joy Harden Bradford

Guest: Dr. Judith Joseph

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Books & works: High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy

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