Could High Functioning Anxiety be impacting you?
Are you wondering if you experience high-functioning anxiety?
High-functioning anxiety is certainly a hot topic these days. Especially as the conversation in pop culture on mental health is trending.
High-functioning anxiety is still a lesser-known term. And it’s actually not a clinical diagnosis…it’s an umbrella term to describe someone that is very successful or functions really well but on the inside is really struggling.
On the outside, people see you as organized, calm, in control, confident and successful. And people see you as detail-oriented, always willing to take on more and appear as if you have it all together.
But inside, it's a very different story.
Internally, you’re in a state of constant worry and overthinking, you struggle with perfectionism and procrastination and you may have an intense need for a lot of reassurance.
You may also struggle to be present in your life and really relax so you can enjoy your life.
Let's dive a little bit deeper into some of the warning signs and symptoms of high-functioning anxiety, so you can recognize it in your own life:
Constantly overthinking and worrying, even when there's nothing wrong
A perfectionist streak and always needing to please others
Trouble sleeping because your thoughts won't stop racing
Struggling to unwind or take a break
Experiencing headaches, stomachaches, or muscle tension as anxiety can manifest as physical symptoms
Mental and physical fatigue
Tendency to compare yourself to others and feelings of self-doubt
Vulnerability to substance abuse
Does this sound like you? As a licensed therapist and anxiety expert, I see this in my practice a lot, and one of the hardest things to reconcile is that your anxiety is what helps you take action, push forward and be successful, so what would happen if I start to work on it?
But, there’s also a darker side because the anxiety you’re experiencing is really taking its toll on your mental and physical health.
Okay, so I know this all sounds down and depressing but high-functioning anxiety can be conquered.
But here are a few things you can start to do about it.
Give yourself permission to seek out help and talk about this more with your loved ones. It doesn’t mean you are weak or crazy if you need one on one support or therapy. It’s a sign of courage and strength for you to admit you can’t do things alone.
Slow down. Those with high-functioning anxiety tend to get caught in this toxic busyness and productivity which keeps us stuck in the anxiety and can lead to burnout and other chronic issues, both mentally and physically. Start to slow down and tune into what you may actually need.
Commit to regular self-care. Self-care isn’t just about doing things for yourself, like getting a manicure or massage. It can be doing consistent things like taking walks, deep breathing, prioritizing your sleep, and your own boundaries that will actually help you start to heal.
If this speaks to you and you’re interested in exploring 1:1 therapy with me, book a free consultation call to see if we are a good match!