Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

The book itself gets closer to 5 stars for me, but a 4 for the audiobook. Dr Joseph is compelling and interesting and writes in a very easy to understand method. This is one of the better books I’ve read on anxiety and depression, and definitely was inspiring to work on myself and give myself the grace and attention I need. The author narrated the book, which doesn’t always work well but she was much better than a lot of nonfiction author-narrators I’ve read! I think this would be much better in print, however, as I missed a lot of the referenced addendums and appendices, and things like self-evaluation surveys are near impossible to give the time and attention to they deserve in an audiobook format.

This book is exceptionally insightful and well-researched. In 2025, I aim to expand my reading list to include more non-fiction titles that align with my interests and experiences. After several years of dealing with depression, this topic is particularly relevant to me.

Despite having participated in therapy for many years and possessing a considerable understanding of mental health, I found that this book offered valuable insights. It illuminated various aspects that I had not fully grasped before, including symptoms of depression and the factors that can exacerbate these symptoms. I learned a great deal from this book and genuinely appreciated the author's approach. I would recommend it to others!

This was an incredibly relatable and insightful book, and I found the author to be soothing. Those who struggle with depression will find something here to hold onto.

High Functioning by Judith Joseph is a compelling and insightful exploration of what it truly means to be "high functioning" in today’s fast-paced world. Blending psychological expertise with relatable real-life examples, Joseph unpacks the complexities of high-achievers who appear to have it all together while privately struggling with stress, anxiety, or emotional exhaustion.

The book is both informative and engaging, offering a mix of research-backed insights and practical strategies for managing mental health while maintaining a demanding lifestyle. Joseph’s writing is clear and accessible, making complex psychological concepts easy to understand. At times, some sections feel a bit surface-level, leaving readers wanting a deeper dive into certain topics, but overall, the book is a valuable resource for anyone navigating the pressures of success.

If you're looking for a thoughtful and encouraging read on balancing achievement with well-being, High Functioning is definitely worth picking up!

I really liked this audiobook! Dr. Joseph breaks down high functioning depression in a simple and easy to understand way, that still feels all encompassing. I liked the separation of the principles of HFD vs the 5Vs, because it let me understand the rationale of HFD that helped to set the context of the 5Vs. Hearing her original research was also very helpful. I do think this audiobook is limited by not having access to the enhancement, but I imagine with that, it would be even better. I would recommend this to young professionals, who are also feeling "blah".

I've read a lot of books about depression but this one had a lot of new things that I had not read before. I listened to the audio version of this book. The narration was great but I think I need to get a hard copy of it. I already want to read it again. For me, a hard copy makes it easier to pounder things as I read. There is so much valuable information in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Publication date is 4/8/25.