If you read about mental health, it is very likely that you have come across and read about depression. Depression is one of the most common and talked about mental health conditions in today’s times, but have you heard about functional freeze? A condition that looks like depression on the surface but is very different when it comes to its underlying causes and impact on daily functioning.
Let’s understand both these conditions in depth, so that it becomes easier for you to differentiate between the two and seek appropriate treatment
What is functional freeze?
Our bodies respond differently to different levels of stress; however, the four primary forms of stress response are fight, flight, freeze and fawn. In a functional freeze, a person remains stuck, overwhelmed and disconnected from their feelings while continuing with their daily activities in a detached or almost robotic manner.
A person stuck in functional freeze can seem absolutely normal on the surface but struggles with mental and physical exhaustion internally, almost doing the bare minimum to survive on autopilot. Since a person in a functional freeze is quite active, their symptoms are often overlooked and dismissed as tiredness or laziness, leading to a delay in help-seeking.
How do you know if you are stuck in a functional freeze?
- Feeling physically exhausted all the time
- Feeling emotionally numb or detached.
- A constant sense of restlessness
- Limited energy for personal relationships, despite outward productivity.
- Difficulty experiencing feelings of joy, peace or satisfaction.
- Difficulty making decisions
Understanding Depression
Unlike functional freeze, which is a response to long-term stress, depression is a mood disorder characterised by persistent low mood and a lack of interest in life. It can also lead to constant feelings of sadness, hopelessness, low appetite, sleep disturbances and even suicidal ideation in some people. Depression can also lead to feelings of worthlessness, self-blame and difficulty in making decisions.
How are depression and functional freeze similar?
Depression and functional freeze often share several similarities, such as
- Lack of motivation or energy
- Difficulty experiencing joy or satisfaction
- Withdrawal from social relationships
- A feeling of hopelessness
- Difficulties in concentration
These overlapping symptoms can make it difficult for people and even professionals to differentiate between the two conditions; however, they differ significantly in various factors such as underlying causes, overall impact on functioning, etc. Let’s explore these differences in the next section.
Is functional freeze the same as depression?
In simple terms, functional freeze is not the same as depression, as these are two different conditions with a few overlapping symptoms. Let’s look at the table below to understand the differences:
Aspect |
Functional Freeze |
Depression |
Underlying Cause |
It is a response to long-term trauma or overwhelming, stressful situations | It is caused by various factors such as reduced dopamine, genetics and difficult life events |
Nature of the condition |
It is often a survival strategy adapted by the body and mind against stress and thus, is not a diagnosable condition | It is a diagnosable mental health condition with a particular criteria |
Impact on feelings |
It causes people to dissociate from feelings, often functioning on autopilot. | It leads to feelings of sadness, dissatisfaction and hopelessness. The person mostly experiences a loop of negative emotions |
Impact on everyday functioning |
There might be a lack of feelings, but no visible difference in outward functioning | It generally leads to a noticeable difference in outward functioning, particularly reduced productivity |
Treatments |
It can be treated with therapy and self-care but there are no dedicated medications to treat functional freeze | It is generally treated with a combination of therapy, lifestyle changes and medication |
Conclusion:
In summary, depression and functional freeze do share common symptoms such as lack of energy, social withdrawal and difficulty making decisions; however, they have significant differences. Depression is a diagnosable mental health condition, while functional freeze is a survival response linked with stress or trauma.
In the end, it is important to know that both these conditions can be appropriately diagnosed by a trained professional and can be treated with appropriate therapy and lifestyle changes, so if you are experiencing either of the conditions, you can consider reaching out for help at the earliest. Click here to start your therapy journey with Mind Voyage today.
References:
- Are You Depressed or Living in a Functional Freeze State? (2024, September 23). The Workout Witch. https://theworkoutwitch.com/en-in/blogs/news/are-you-depressed-or-living-in-a-functional-freeze-state
- Are You Stuck in a Functional Freeze? What It Means & How to Recover. (2025, May 22). Https://Thriveworks.Com/. https://thriveworks.com/blog/functional-freeze-explained-why-youre-exhausted-disconnected-and-still-getting-things-done/
- Depression (major depressive disorder)—Symptoms and causes. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved October 31, 2025, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007
