Why does over-functioning in daily life hide mental health struggles for so long?

[Shree]

Do you keep up responsibilities while silently struggling inside, making it harder for others to notice anything is wrong? What signs eventually made you realize something deeper was going on?

 

[Hazel]

I've gone through periods where I kept up with work and daily responsibilities, so it looked like everything was fine. Looking back, constant exhaustion, losing interest in things I enjoyed, and feeling emotionally numb were the signs that something deeper was going on.