The Hidden Epidemic of High-Functioning Depression with Dr. Judith Joseph

THE ED MYLETT SHOW

Ed Mylett

Education, Business, Self-improvement, Entrepreneurship

4.9 • 13.6K Ratings

🗓️ 22 April 2025

⏱️ 66 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Are You Joyful… or Just Functioning? Most people don’t realize it—but there's a silent struggle happening behind the smiles and the schedules. Today, I sit down with Dr. Judith Joseph, a Columbia-trained psychiatrist and author of High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy. We tackle something that I think is affecting more people than anyone talks about… high functioning depression. It's not in the "DSM"—but it’s very real. And if you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” but still feel empty inside, you need to hear this. We talked about a condition called anhedonia—this sneaky, silent twin of depression that robs you of joy without making you collapse. It’s the part of depression that doesn’t get seen or treated because you’re still performing, still producing, still achieving. Dr. Judith broke down how traumas, even the little ones, can rewire the way we experience joy. And more importantly, she gave a way out. You don’t have to crash to get help. You don’t have to be broken to deserve healing. This episode isn’t just about naming the problem. It’s about owning your emotional truth, slowing down, and reclaiming the simple human experiences that actually fill you. Whether you’re a high achiever constantly “doing” or someone who feels like joy is always out of reach, this one’s for you. Judith’s “5 V’s” framework gives you real tools you can use every day—like planning your joy, validating your feelings, and choosing presence over performance. And let me tell you what stood out most. Joy is contagious! It spreads. To your kids, your spouse, your team. The more we access joy, the more we model it for those around us. This conversation hit home for me—and I think it will for you too. Key Takeaways: Why anhedonia is the overlooked symptom stealing your joy. The difference between happiness (an idea) and joy (an experience). The “5 V’s” system to help reclaim joy: Validation, Venting, Values, Vitals, Vision. How trauma—big or small—can lead to high functioning depression. Tools to help yourself or someone you love who’s silently struggling. The impact of hormonal changes on mental health, especially for women. A method to ground yourself daily and reduce anxiety: the 5-4-3-2-1 technique. Let’s not wait for the crash to start healing. You deserve joy. You just forgot how to feel it. Max out. 👉 SUBSCRIBE TO ED'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL NOW 👈 → → → CONNECT WITH ED MYLETT ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ← ← ← ➡️ INSTAGRAM ➡️FACEBOOK ➡️ LINKEDIN ➡️ X ➡️ WEBSITE Thank you to our Sponsor: AG1: DrinkAG1.com/EDMYLETT Get my exclusive Monday Motivation training in GrowthDay, the world’s #1 app for advanced mindset and personal development. Visit https://growthday.com/ed. This show is sponsored by GrowthDay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	So hey guys, listen, we're all trying to get more productive. And the question is, how do you find a way to get an edge?
0:05.4	I'm a big believer that if you're getting mentoring or you're in an environment that causes growth, a growth-based environment, that you're much more likely to grow and you're going to grow faster has created that I'm a big fan of. Write this down, growthday.com forward slash ed. So if you want to be more productive, by the way, he's asked
0:25.0	me, I post videos in there every single Monday that gets your day off to the right start. He's got
0:29.1	about $5,000, $10,000 worth of courses that are in there that come with the app. Also, some of the
0:34.2	top influencers in the world are all posting content and they're on a regular basis.
0:37.6	It's like having the Avengers of Personal Development and Business and one app.
0:41.5	And I'm honored that he asked me to be a part of it as well and contribute on a weekly basis, and I do.
0:45.5	So go over there and get signed up.
0:46.7	You're going to get a free tuition-free voucher to go to an event with Brendan and myself and a bunch of other influencers as well.
0:51.9	So you get a free event out of it also. So go to growthday.com forward slash ed.
0:56.7	That's growthday.com forward slash ed.
1:02.0	Amazon offers term time working to their employees, like Anton,
1:06.8	who's home to look after his daughters during their holidays.
1:11.3	Hello!
1:12.2	To him, this is the best sound in the world.
1:18.5	Actually, maybe that's the best sound of all.
1:22.7	Now that's term time working.
1:25.1	Offered at Amazon.
1:26.6	Ten weeks off guaranteed per year mix of paid holiday and
1:29.6	unpaid time off conditions apply at pure gym whatever you're here for we're here for it so
1:35.8	whether you're here to meet your goals or meet your gals take a bit of me time or a weight off Getting back on the bike
1:46.6	Or filling the tea while you spin
	...

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