Caregivers Report Higher Rates of Hidden Depression

A new study reveals that parents and caregivers often face high levels of anhedonia and high-functioning depression.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Autism

Gouache-painted illustration of a single wilted houseplant on a shelf, evoking the quiet, invisible strain of caregiver burnout. — A study in the journal Cureus indicates that caregivers face significant levels of anhedonia and high-functioning depression, often leading to burnout. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you prioritize your own personal joy as an essential part of your daily health routine?

A recent study published in the journal Cureus identifies parents and caregivers as the demographic experiencing the highest levels of anhedonia and high-functioning depression. These conditions can often go unrecognized because high-functioning depression is not an official diagnosis within the DSM-5.

Why it matters

Because high-functioning depression lacks formal diagnostic criteria, many affected individuals do not seek clinical support until they reach a state of burnout. Understanding these symptoms is a critical step for caregivers to recognize when their internal distress requires professional attention.

A peer-reviewed study published in the journal Cureus assessed high-functioning depression and anhedonia using questionnaires regarding trauma and pleasure. While participants with higher anhedonia scores showed higher depression scores, the long-term clinical implications remain under investigation.

The players

Dr. Judith Joseph

A psychiatrist and researcher who developed an anhedonia self-assessment tool based on the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale.

The details

Anhedonia is clinically defined as a diminished ability to experience pleasure from activities that an individual previously found enjoyable. Researchers utilized questionnaires to evaluate these symptoms alongside high-functioning depression. To assist with identification, Dr. Judith Joseph developed a self-assessment quiz that incorporates questions derived from the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale.

October 30, 2026: The study on high-functioning depression was published in the journal Cureus.

Health Landscape

High-functioning depression currently sits outside the diagnostic framework of the DSM-5, complicating how clinicians identify and treat the condition. This research highlights the need for broader clinical recognition of mental health struggles that occur before a patient reaches total burnout.

If you are a caregiver struggling to find joy in previously loved activities, it may be time to discuss these persistent feelings of anhedonia with a primary care physician. Early conversations about mental health can help identify symptoms of high-functioning depression before they progress to burnout.

The takeaway

Anhedonia—the loss of ability to feel pleasure—is a common but often overlooked indicator of high-functioning depression among caregivers. If you notice a persistent decline in your enjoyment of daily life, consult a healthcare professional to discuss whether these symptoms warrant clinical support.