Amber Riley, celebrated actress and singer, is opening up about her journey with high-functioning depression, offering a powerful reminder to Black women about the importance of prioritizing mental health.
In a heartfelt interview with Broken Hearts Restored, the Glee star shared her personal struggles and how seeking professional help ultimately saved her life.
Riley reflected on a pivotal moment in 2019, when unrelenting symptoms forced her to confront her mental health.
“My heart was always beating really fast. I wasn’t sleeping,” she recounted. “Thanksgiving came around, and I had the worst panic attack in a grocery store. That’s when I went to my doctor.”
Her doctor’s diagnosis was eye-opening.
“She said: ‘You’re depressed. You’re a Black woman, and you’re high-functioning.’” Riley initially resisted the idea, associating depression with something more visibly debilitating. “I thought, ‘What do you mean? I’m still doing things. I’m still functioning.’”
The reality of high-functioning depression, however, is that it often masks itself in day-to-day productivity, hiding deeper struggles. Riley’s symptoms—sweats, racing heart, insomnia—were her body’s way of signaling distress.
Despite initial hesitations, Riley followed her doctor’s recommendation to seek therapy and begin medication.
“One thing she said to me stuck: ‘You’re afraid to take medication, and I’m afraid for you not to.’ That changed everything,” Riley shared. “Taking that step saved my life.”
Encouraging Mental Health Advocacy
Riley’s testimony is a crucial message for Black women, who often bear the weight of societal and cultural pressures to remain strong, even at the expense of their well-being.
Her vulnerability helps to destigmatize mental health challenges and the use of medication as a tool for recovery.
She also spoke about the importance of seeking support.
Resources like Therapy for Black Girls, which offers a directory of culturally competent therapists, provide valuable guidance for those taking their first steps toward healing.
High-Functioning Depression: What You Need to Know
While not a clinical diagnosis, high-functioning depression is a term used to describe individuals who maintain their responsibilities while experiencing depressive symptoms.
These symptoms can include persistent sadness, anxiety, fatigue, and physical ailments like insomnia or rapid heart rate.
Riley’s story underscores that no one is immune to mental health struggles, and reaching out for help is a sign of strength.
Amber Riley’s story urges everyone to prioritize mental health and seek the support they deserve.
As she says, “Taking that step saved my life”—a message that may inspire countless others to do the same.
