ZOE Science & Nutrition Most replayed moment: Do You Have High-Functioning Depression? | Dr Judith Joseph & Professor Sarah Berry
41 snips
May 5, 2026 
Professor Sarah Berry, nutrition scientist who studies diet for mental health, and Dr Judith Joseph, psychiatrist focusing on high-functioning depression, join the conversation. They define anhedonia and how functioning depression hides. Practical frameworks for validation, values and small wins are shared. The role of whole plant foods, fiber, omega-3s and gut health for mood is explored.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Anhedonia Is The Silent Core Symptom
- Anhedonia is a quiet numbing of pleasure and interest that shows up in depression, trauma, substance use and dementia.
- Judith Joseph describes people saying they feel "meh" or "bleh" and using busying or numbing behaviours to avoid the pain.
Depression Can Hide Behind High Performance
- High-functioning depression looks like people who continue to perform but feel empty, and it often gets missed because they don't meet classic diagnostic thresholds.
- Judith Joseph notes that many patients still deliver at work and hide pain until crisis points like suicide occur.
Judith Joseph's Personal Experience With High Functioning Depression
- Judith Joseph shares her own experience of running a lab, caring for family and pushing through pain during the pandemic.
- She says she suffered from high-functioning depression while still managing work and home responsibilities.
