Dr. Judith Joseph on How to Overcome the Hidden Struggle of Success

In today’s productivity-driven world, many high achievers live with a painful paradox: thriving on the outside while unraveling inside. On this episode of Passion Struck, Dr. Judith Joseph joins John R. Miles to discuss high-functioning depression—a form of mental health struggle that hides behind success, accolades, and outward competence.

Dr. Joseph, a psychiatrist, clinical researcher, and author of High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy, shares her personal and professional journey navigating this condition. She introduces her signature 5 Vs framework—Values, Vulnerabilities, Validation, Vision, and Victory—to help individuals reclaim emotional health and rediscover joy.

Explore More: The Ignited Life Newsletter

If today’s episode sparked something in you, you’ll love The Ignited Life—our free Substack newsletter created to fuel your growth between episodes.

Each edition delivers:

• Fresh insights on intentional living, resilience, and emotional mastery
• Practical tools like the L.E.N.S. method and micro-habits to ignite change
• Behind-the-scenes reflections from Passion Struck episodes
• Guest wisdom distilled into real-life applications
• Curated resources, quotes, and frameworks to help you live like you matter

Join thousands of high-performers, purpose-seekers, and change-makers who are shifting from autopilot to alignment—one intentional insight at a time.

👉 Subscribe now at TheIgnitedLife.net

Because living ignited isn’t a one-time spark—it’s a way of being.

Want to learn the 12 philosophies that the most successful people use to create a limitless life? Order John R. Miles’s new book, Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles to Unlock Your Purpose and Ignite Your Most Intentional Life.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here – even one sentence helps! Please post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us to thank you personally!

In case you didn’t already know it, John R. Miles (@John_R_Miles) takes your comments and questions for Momentum Friday right here every week! If you want him to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Momentum Friday episodes, drop us a line at [email protected]. Now, let’s dive in!

Hear the secrets and philosophy of the World’s GREATEST high achievers every Tuesday and Thursday, and tune in each week for an inspirational Momentum Friday solo message.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Listen Notes, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform. You can watch the interview on YouTube below.

Dr. Judith Joseph Explains Why “Success” Isn’t Always a Sign You’re Okay

In this week’s episode of Passion Struck, Dr. Judith Joseph reveals the inner world of high-functioning depression—what it is, why it often goes undiagnosed, and how we can reclaim joy in a culture obsessed with doing more.

Dr. Judith opens up about her own moment of clarity during a pandemic-era talk, where she realized that despite her career achievements and public appearances, she was silently battling depression. This personal revelation inspired her pioneering research into high-functioning depression—a condition not yet formally recognized in the DSM-5 but experienced by millions.

On This Episode with Dr. Judith Joseph, You’ll Learn:

• Why high-functioning depression is so common among leaders, caregivers, and high performers
• The invisible toll of perfectionism, trauma, and cultural pressure
• How reframing mental health can shift the narrative from weakness to wisdom

WHY IS THIS EPISODE WITH Dr. Judith Joseph A MUST-LISTEN?

If you’ve ever felt alone in your success or struggled to reconcile your inner world with your outer image, this conversation offers both comfort and tools. From anchoring in your values to creating micro-moments of clarity and care, the path to healing starts with one simple decision: to see yourself fully.

Key Takeaways

• The difference between burnout and high-functioning depression
• The role of avoidance and scarcity trauma in over-functioning behavior
• How societal pressure leads to performance-based identity and joy depletion
• The neuroscience of joy and emotional numbing (anhedonia)
• Dr. Judith’s 5 Vs Framework: Validation, Venting, Values, Vitals, and Vision
• The importance of small, daily joy practices and proactive emotional regulation

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR FEATURED RESOURCES

Thank You, BIOptimizers, For Sponsoring

This November, BIOptimizers is offering an exclusive Black Friday BLOWOUT! Get discounts on all their amazing products—including Magnesium Breakthrough—plus up to $100 in free gifts. Don’t miss out! Visit https://bioptimizers.com/passion to shop now

Thank You, Hims, For Sponsoring

Hims: Regrow your hair before it’s too late! Start your free online visit today at Hims.com/PASSIONSTRUCK.

Thank You, Mint Mobile, For Sponsoring

Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at “MINT MOBILE dot com slash PASSION.”

Thank You, Rosetta Stone, For Sponsoring

Unlock 25 languages for life at “ROSETTASTONE.com/passionstruck.”

Thank You, Prolon, For Sponsoring

Reset your health with 15% off at “ProlonLife.com/passionstruck.”

STARTER PACKS

Are you new to the show? These Starter Packs are collections of our most popular episodes grouped by topic, and we now have them on Spotify.

You can also browse starter packs for existing listeners to find your old favorites. Every week, John interviews everyday heroes from all walks of life. Learn how to subscribe to the show and never miss a new episode or topic.

Like this? Please subscribe and join me on my new YouTube platform for peak performance, life coaching, and personal mastery.

The Hidden Epidemic of High-Functioning Depression

At first glance, high-achievers look like they’re thriving. They’re climbing the ladder, juggling roles, and getting things done. But behind many outwardly “successful” lives is a quieter truth: millions are struggling with a hidden form of depression that doesn’t look like what we’ve been taught to expect.

Dr. Joseph’s own journey is striking. While leading groundbreaking clinical research, appearing on national TV, and serving on prestigious boards, she realized—during a talk for healthcare professionals during the pandemic—that she was barely holding it together. That moment led to her latest book, High Functioning, and the first empirical research on this often-misunderstood condition.

“We’re still using a broken model,” she explains. “We wait until people crash before offering help. But what about the ones silently breaking down while showing up every day?”

This is a key distinction. Unlike classic clinical depression, high-functioning depression hides in plain sight. Sufferers may be hitting milestones while internally battling numbness, poor sleep, restlessness, and a loss of pleasure—a symptom known as anhedonia. As Dr. Joseph notes, “People say, ‘I feel meh,’ but don’t realize that’s a red flag.”

Introducing the 5 Vs Framework

In response, Dr. Joseph developed the 5 Vs Framework, an actionable roadmap for reclaiming your joy:

1. Validation – Acknowledge what you feel without judgment.
2. Venting – Express it through writing, talking, or movement.
3. Values – Reconnect with what truly matters to you.
4. Vitals – Protect your mind-body health: sleep, diet, movement, tech boundaries, and relationships.
5. Vision – Envision a future grounded in joy, not just achievement.

This isn’t about abandoning ambition—it’s about leading from a place of presence rather than performance.

From Scarcity to Self-Worth

One standout moment from the episode is when Dr. Joseph describes how “scarcity trauma”—growing up with a fear of not having enough—drives over-functioning. We collect accolades, degrees, and achievements, but it’s never enough. The result? Burnout disguised as purpose.

Thanks, Dr. Judith Joseph

If you enjoyed this interview with D. Judith Joseph, let her know by clicking on the link below and sending her a quick shout on Instagram

Share your thoughts about today’s episode with Dr. Judith Joseph on Instagram.

Click here to let John R. Miles know about your number one takeaway from this episode!

If you want us to answer your questions or you want John to discuss a topic on one of our upcoming Momentum Friday episodes, drop us a line at [email protected].

RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW WITH Dr. Judith Joseph

Please note that some of the links on this page (books, movies, music, etc.) lead to affiliate programs for which The Passion Struck podcast receives compensation. It’s just one of the ways we keep the lights on around here. Thank you so much for being so supportive!

1. Judith Joseph’s Website
2. Judith Joseph’s Instagram
3. Judith Joseph’s YouTube
4. BUY Judith’s Book ‘High Functioning”
5. APA’s recognition of mattering as critical to child mental health
6. Passion Struck Core Value System: https://passionstruck.com/the-passion-struck-core-belief-system/
7. Listen to Passion Struck’s interviews with New York Times bestselling authors Gretchen Rubin and Seth Godin.
8. Check out Passion Struck’s Episode Starter Packs on Spotify or Passion Struck starter packs to get started with the podcast.

My solo episode on 5 Proven Ways to Overcome Emotional Fatigue

Can’t miss my episode with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche on How to Find Your Innate Basic Goodness

Catch my interview with Natalie Namaste on How to Unleash Your Solar Plexus Power

My interview with Sharon Salzberg on Building Equanimity in a Chaotic World

Listen to my interview with Dandapani on How to Harness the Incredible Power of Your Mind

About Today’s Guest, Dr. Judith Joseph

Judith Joseph, M.D., M.B.A., is a Board Certified Psychiatrist. Dr. Judith is Chair of The Women in Medicine Initiative for Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons. Dr. Judith is a clinical assistant professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center. She has conducted several clinical research studies in pediatric, adult, geriatric, and women’s mental health as the Principal Investigator of her research lab, Manhattan Behavioral Medicine.

Dr. Judith developed the T.I.E.S. method to address mental health symptoms in menopause. She is on the board of Let’s Talk Menopause, a national non-profit organization that recently advocated in December 2023 for the Menopause Research and Equity Act in the US Congress alongside Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. Dr. Judith is conducting the first of its kind research study in High Functioning Depression in her laboratories and will publish a book on High Functioning Depression with Little Brown Spark in 2025.

Follow John R. Miles On Social

* Twitter: https://twitter.com/Milesjohnr

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnrmiles.c0m

* Medium: https://medium.com/@JohnRMiles​

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_r_milesacks for existing listeners to find your old favorites. Every week, John interviews everyday heroes from all walks of life. Learn how to subscribe to the show and never miss a new episode and topic.

* Gear: https://www.zazzle.com/store/passion_struck/

Learn more about me: https://johnrmiles.com.

Passion Struck aspires to speak to the humanity of people in a way that makes them want to better, live better, and impact the world.

Passion Struck’s mission is to unlock the power of intentionality for the benefit of us all. To create a world where we live better, be better, and impact the world through our unique and powerful content.