High Functioning Anxiety: What You Need to Know

Anxiety disorders are very common, affecting about 18% of the population. However, only a fraction of those with anxiety disorders is actually diagnosed. The reason for this is that many people with anxiety disorders function very well in society. They may have a job, be in school, and have a normal social life. This is what we call high functioning anxiety. In this blog post, we will discuss what high functioning anxiety is, the symptoms, and how to get help.

What Is High Functioning Anxiety?

High functioning anxiety is a type of anxiety that can be difficult to spot. It is characterized by high levels of anxiety that are manageable and allow the person to function relatively well in their day-to-day life. However, this does not mean that high functioning anxiety does not come with its challenges.

Those who live with high functioning anxiety may experience a number of symptoms. And, this condition is often accompanied by other mental health conditions, such as depression or substance abuse.

High functioning anxiety can be difficult to manage. If you think you may be struggling with high functioning anxiety, it is important to reach out for help. However, the need for help is often underestimated by those who are struggling. This can lead to a number of problems. And, still, you may find yourself feeling like you are not doing enough.

Symptoms Of High-Functioning Anxiety

The symptoms of high-functioning anxiety can be difficult to spot. After all, if you’re managing your anxiety well enough to function perfectly fine on the outside, how could there possibly be anything wrong?

But just because you’re good at hiding your anxiety doesn’t mean it’s not there. In fact, high-functioning anxiety can be even more difficult to deal with because it’s not always obvious that anything is wrong.

Here are some common symptoms of high-functioning anxiety:

• Feeling like you’re never good enough
• Constantly comparing yourself to others
• Perfectionism
• Overthinking everything
• Trouble relaxing or sleeping
• Avoiding situations that make you anxious
• Procrastination

Physical symptoms like tension headaches, stomach problems, or fatigue.

So, these are some of the more common symptoms, but it’s important to remember that everyone experiences anxiety differently. If you think you might have high-functioning anxiety, the best thing to do is talk to a mental health professional. They can help you figure out if your symptoms are due to anxiety or something else entirely.

Once you know for sure that you’re dealing with anxiety, there are a few things you can do to start managing it. Thus, understand the situations and identify the symptoms to work better.

Causes Of High Functioning Anxiety

The causes of high functioning anxiety are not fully understood. However, there are some risk factors that may contribute to the development of this condition, including:

Family History

It is often the most important cause behind many mental health conditions. Having a family history of anxiety or other mental health disorders may increase your risk of developing high functioning anxiety. Also, it is believed that anxiety can be passed down from generation to generation.

Personality Traits

There are certain personality traits that may predispose someone to develop high functioning anxiety. These include:

• perfectionism,
• being a people pleaser,
• and having high standards.

So, these traits are basically the opposite of what you would expect from someone with high functioning anxiety. They are usually high-achieving, successful people who have a lot of pressure on them to perform well.

Stressful Life Events

High functioning anxiety can often be triggered by stressful life events, such as:

• starting a new job,
• getting married,
• having a baby,
• or moving to a new house.

These events can often be overwhelming and lead to anxiety. Because, when you’re under a lot of stress, your body releases the hormone cortisol. This can lead to a feeling of being “on edge” all the time, which can be very overwhelming.

So, these are some common causes of high functioning anxiety. If you think you may be suffering from this condition, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional. They can help you manage your symptoms and get back to living a normal life.

Consequences Of High-Functioning Anxiety

High functioning is basically described as when someone who is seemingly high-functioning, or “puts up a good front.” But actually feels like they’re struggling on the inside. People with high functioning anxiety often feel like they’re not good enough and that they have to constantly prove themselves. This can lead to them being perfectionists and overachievers.

The consequences of high functioning anxiety are both: positive and negative. Let’s discuss both characteristics or impacts of this type of anxiety.

Positive Impacts

This is often seen as a strength in people with high functioning anxiety.

• Outgoing or extrovert personality
• Always tend to be punctual
• Prefer to stick to a routine
• Can be extremely detail-oriented
• High-achievers
• Loyal in relationships

So, these are some positive impacts of high functioning anxiety. As you can see, there are more positive impacts than negative ones. And that’s because people who have high functioning anxiety often put up a good front. They seem to be doing well on the outside when in reality they’re struggling on the inside. However, there are some negative impacts of high functioning anxiety as well.

Negative Impacts

The negative impacts of high functioning anxiety are usually a result of the person’s need to be perfect and their fear of failure.

• Can be extremely critical of themselves
• Never feel good enough no matter how much they accomplish
• Can be overly competitive
• Prone to developing eating disorders
• Have difficulty relaxing and enjoying life
• Struggle with anxiety and depression
• Nervous habits and talking too much]
• Overthinking about things

So, as you can see, there are some negative impacts of high functioning anxiety. However, it’s important to remember that everyone is different and will experience different things. If you think you might have high functioning anxiety, it’s important to talk to a professional about it. Only a professional can diagnose you with high functioning anxiety.

High-Functioning Anxiety And Other Forms Of Anxiety

Anxiety is a huge problem around the world. In fact, it’s the most common mental illness in the country. And while there are many different types of anxiety disorders, one that is often overlooked is high-functioning anxiety.

High-functioning anxiety is a type of anxiety that can be difficult to spot. Because those who have it often seem to be doing well. They may be high achievers at work or school and have a large social circle. But underneath all of that, they’re struggling with anxiety. There are several other forms of anxiety that can be difficult to spot. Some of these include:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Panic Attacks
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Agoraphobia
• Specific Phobias
• Selective Mutism

Therefore, these are some of the different types of anxiety that people can suffer from. And while some forms of anxiety are more noticeable than others, all forms of anxiety can be debilitating and cause problems in someone’s life.

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There are many resources available and seeking help is the first step to recovery.

When To Get Professional Help?

Professional help is considered when anxiety is negatively impacting daily functioning. This means that it is significantly interfering with work, school, or home life. It can also be helpful to seek professional help if you are using alcohol or drugs to cope with anxiety.

There are a few key things to look for that may indicate it’s time to get professional help:

• Anxiety that is consistently present and impacting daily life
• Avoidance of activities and situations due to anxiety
• Intense worry or panic attacks
• Unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as alcohol or drug abuse

If you’re struggling with anxiety, know that you’re not alone. Seek professional help if anxiety is negatively impacting your life. There are treatments available that can help you manage anxiety and live a happy, fulfilling life.

Moreover, if you’re seeking treatment for anxiety, it’s important to find a therapist or counselor who you feel comfortable with. It may take some time to find the right fit, but it’s worth it to find someone who you can trust and who will help you develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Treatment Options

When you’re dealing with high functioning anxiety, it’s important to find a treatment option that will help you manage your symptoms and allow you to live a fulfilling life. Here are some of the most popular treatment options for high functioning anxiety:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is a type of therapy that helps you change the way you think and behave. This can be helpful in managing your anxiety by helping you to identify and change negative thinking patterns. Also, it is believed that CBT can help you to learn how to better cope with anxiety-inducing situations.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy is a type of CBT that involves exposing yourself to the things that make you anxious. This can help you to learn how to manage your anxiety and may eventually help you to overcome your fear. More often, exposure therapy is used to treat specific phobias.

Medication

There are a number of different medications that can be used to treat anxiety. The most common type of medication is an anti-anxiety medication, which can help to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Other types of medication, such as antidepressants, can also be effective in treating anxiety. However, it is important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking medication for anxiety.

So, these are some professional treatment options that can be used to treat high functioning anxiety. But, there are also some things that you can do on your own to help manage your anxiety.

Some Helpful Tips To Manage The Condition

There are some important things to keep in mind when it comes to managing high functioning anxiety. Here are a few helpful tips:

Identify your triggers

Pay attention to what situations or activities tend to trigger your anxiety. Once you know what your triggers are, you can start to avoid them or better prepare for them. In fact, when you start to manage your mental health condition with the help of a therapist, they will likely ask you about your triggers as part of their assessment.

Create a support system

The support system in such situations is key. Find people you trust to talk to about your anxiety. These could be friends, family members, or a therapist. Talking about what you’re going through can help you feel better and manage your symptoms. Moreover, these people can provide you with practical support, such as help with childcare or transportation, if needed.

Develop healthy coping mechanisms

High functioning anxiety can be managed in part by developing healthy coping mechanisms. This might involve things like:

• exercise,
• relaxation techniques,
• journaling,
• and deep breathing exercises.

When you have healthy coping mechanisms in place, you’ll be better equipped to deal with anxiety-provoking situations. In fact, these healthy coping mechanisms can help to prevent anxiety attacks from happening in the first place.

Practice healthy lifestyle

Your lifestyle is the basic foundation for your mental health. A healthy lifestyle includes:

• eating a balanced diet,
• getting enough sleep,
• and exercising regularly.

When you have a healthy lifestyle, you’re more likely to be in good mental health overall. This means that you’ll be better able to manage high functioning anxiety and prevent it from getting worse. Moreover, a healthy lifestyle can help improve your mood and give you more energy to deal with anxiety-provoking situations.

Be positive with yourself

It is important to have a positive outlook on your condition. Remember that you can manage your anxiety and it does not have to control you. When you start to think more positively about your anxiety, you’ll be better able to manage it. In fact, research has shown that people who think more positively about their mental health conditions are more likely to recover from them.

If you or someone you know is struggling with high functioning anxiety, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. A therapist can provide you with the tools and support you need to manage your symptoms and live a healthy, happy life. Contact Mantra Care today for more information.

Conclusion

To conclude, high functioning anxiety is a real and debilitating condition. If you think you may be suffering from it, please reach out to a mental health professional for help. Because this condition can be confusing too, it is essential to get help. There are several resources available online.

For more information, please contact MantraCare. Anxiety is a common mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of worry, fear, and apprehension. If you have any queries regarding Online Anxiety Counseling experienced therapists at MantraCare can help: Book a trial Anxiety therapy session