If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the “right” things—showing up for work, taking care of everyone, checking all the boxes—but inside, you feel numb, disconnected, or just... not okay, this episode is for you.

This week on Be Well, Sis, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr. Judith Joseph, a board-certified psychiatrist and researcher, to talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: high functioning depression.

We often associate depression with what we see—sadness, withdrawal, tears. But what happens when it looks more like achievement, perfectionism, and over-functioning? When the pain hides behind productivity? That’s where this conversation begins.

Dr. Judith breaks down what high functioning depression actually is, why it’s often missed in clinical settings, and how trauma, societal pressure, and internalized expectations can all contribute to emotional burnout, anhedonia (the loss of joy), and disconnection.

She also introduces her powerful framework, the Five V’s to Thriving—a model that prioritizes validation, venting, values, vitals, and vision to support true emotional well-being.

In this episode, we explore:

• What high functioning depression really looks and feels like
• The link between trauma, anhedonia, and collective numbness
• How societal expectations can mask mental health struggles in high-achieving women
• Why validation and venting are essential for healing
• The Five V’s to Thriving and how to use them as tools for personal growth
• Why joy is an experience, not an achievement
• How to stop chasing external validation and start doing the inner work of self-care

Dr. Judith also speaks candidly about how mental wellness is deeply connected to relationships, rest, and reimagining what success and happiness truly mean—especially for Black women and women of color who are often taught to suppress their feelings to survive.

This episode is for you if:

• You feel emotionally drained, even when everything looks “fine” on the outside
• You’ve normalized burnout and high stress as your baseline
• You’re curious about new ways to think about healing and emotional regulation
• You’re doing the work, but still feel like joy is just out of reach
• You want to understand your mental health through both a clinical and compassionate lens

About Dr. Judith Joseph:

Dr. Judith Joseph is a board-certified psychiatrist, media expert, and mental health advocate whose work bridges the gap between clinical research and culturally competent care. Her mission is to empower people—especially those in marginalized communities—to prioritize their mental wellness with evidence-based, heart-centered tools.

🔗 Learn more about here

📲 Follow Dr. Judith on Instagram

Mentioned in this episode:

• Click here to purchase Dr. Judith’s  High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy!
• More on High Functioning Depression here and here

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Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

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