Beyond how things look from the outside
Some people use “high-functioning depression” to describe feeling low while still keeping up with daily life. You do not need to adopt that phrase, or any diagnosis, to seek a conversation. Describe your experience in your own words: what has changed, what feels draining, and what you hope to understand.
Discuss the experience, not just the label
Therapy offers space to explore low mood, sustained pressure, and the demands you are carrying. Burnout and depression concerns may raise different questions, so the appropriate starting point should be discussed individually. The practice can talk with you about whether individual therapy or assessment is a suitable service for your request.