Recognizing the symptoms of hyperfunctioning depression in women

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A local behavioral health specialist is helping women navigate their mental health by explaining a common and relatable symptom of hyperfunctioning depression.

Angela Seets, owner of Flowers 2 Life in Shreveport, was invited to speak during Thursday’s Caddo Commission meeting to signify May as Mental Health Awareness Month.

Seets works with adults and veterans and specializes in treating women of color and those disadvantaged socio-economically. She explains how women often fall into a very active routine where unresolved emotions build up.

“A lot of times, because we are the matriarch of the family. We are told to suck in our feelings and what we do is we become hyperfunctioning or hyperindependent. Hyperfunctioning is we will go and get ourselves involved our children’s lives, our husband’s lives, get degrees, just keep busy, busy,” Seets said. “Then at nighttime is when we go into our feelings that we don’t understand. We withdraw. When you all see us, you see this strong woman. Or you may see, when we say what we mean as this angry black woman. So what I do is I worked with woman to help them understand their emotions. To help them get in touch with their emotions and become intentional and mindful so they can understand what is going on with them but how others perceive them and work on those unresolved issues,” Seets said.

Through Flowers 2 Life, Seets offers consultations, therapy sessions, and public speaking workshops to help local women recognize these symptoms and improve their mental health and quality of life. She said to visit their website or give them a call to learn more.