High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy

Feeling exhausted and pushed to the brink? In her keynote at the 2026 World Happiness Summit (WOHASU), psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Judith Joseph, MD, addresses why so many of us feel depleted and offers a science-backed roadmap to reclaim your joy. Are You "Pathologically Productive?" Dr. Joseph shares groundbreaking research on high-functioning depression, a state where individuals over function and stay busy to distract from unprocessed pain or trauma. If you feel empty when you finally sit still, you aren't alone. Joy is not a luxury! It is an essential component of long-term health. Understand Your "Joy Leaks": Use the Bio-psychosocial Model to identify if you are losing joy due to biological health (like hormones or chronic pain), psychological factors (like trauma or masking neurodivergence), or social habits. Learn the Reset Method: A 5-step strategy to manage how technology impacts your productivity, sleep, and relationships Explore the 5 V’s to Reclaim Joy: 1- Validation: Stop pushing down your pain; name your emotions without judgment. 2- Venting: Express your feelings in healthy ways—verbally, through art, or prayer—to prevent them from causing physical or professional havoc. 3- Values: Reconnect with what gives your life meaning beyond external goals. 4- Vitals: Manage traditional health (sleep, nutrition) alongside modern vitals like tech boundaries and toxic relationships. 5-Vision: Plan for future joy so you can maintain forward momentum.