Some people may assume that suffering from anxiety is like always being at home or avoiding social gatherings. However, there is another angle to anxiety that is completely unrecognizable. The anxiety-suffering people may look like high-achieving, well-dressed, and confident individuals on the outside, but inside, they struggle silently. This is called high-functioning anxiety, and it has costs that are often not visible to the people. A part of the cost is the self-doubt that is present among the sufferers.
What Is High-Functioning Anxiety?
A person with high-functioning anxiety might be the most dedicated person at work. They arrive early and stay late. They double-check everything. They can’t say no to any request, even if their workload is already overwhelming.
To others, they appear successful and perfect. However, behind this flawless image, they are consumed by worry. They don’t get enough sleep because they’re constantly thinking about tomorrow’s presentation. They replay conversations in their heads, wondering if they said something wrong. They feel exhausted most of the time, yet they have to keep going.
The world sees their hard work, and only they know about the panic attacks they have alone in the bathroom or the nights they lie awake until 3 a.m. due to constant overthinking.
For example, a woman named Sarah, who is a working mother, explains it as follows: “I was sitting in meetings at work with a big smile on my face while my pulse was racing. It looked like I was at my most confident, but actually, I was fear-struck of making some kind of mistake.”
Studies show that about 6.8 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with anxiety disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). However, it is estimated that many more people experience anxiety symptoms but are not included in these statistics. High-functioning anxiety is part of these undiagnosed cases, and such cases are quite common.
Symptoms of High-Functioning Anxiety
- A deep fear of making mistakes
- Being cautious of criticism from others
- Feeling threatened at every compassion
- Proving abilities by working extra hours
- Feeling awkward at praise
- Suffering from headaches and/or stomach issues
The Hidden Costs of High-Functioning Anxiety
1. Physical Health Impact:
Internal stress has been a major cause of illness in many people for years. Typically, a person with high anxiety will experience the following:
- Chronic pain or migraines
- Sleep disorder
- Fatigue
- Digestive problems
- Muscle contraction and pain
- Extreme illnesses due to an impaired immune system
2. Mental and Emotional Exhaustion:
Living as someone who is experiencing internal turmoil while outwardly appearing normal is mentally draining. Wearing a mask all day is often how many people describe it. The constant self-criticism and fear of falling can lead to depression and feelings of emptiness even after getting external success.
3. Relationship Challenges:
High-functioning anxiety can gradually damage relationships. When people are preoccupied with work, they invest all their energy there, making it difficult to stay connected with family and friends. They may also hesitate to seek help or show vulnerability, which can further strain personal relationships.
Typically, they can be defensive even on basic topics, and their obsession with perfection can unintentionally cause much stress for others.
How to deal with high-functioning anxiety?
Getting control back from high-functioning anxiety without breaking success and ambition is possible. It implies the mastery of the art of reaching one’s goal without hurting the mind.
First of all, having high-functioning anxiety does not indicate weakness, or worse. On the contrary, such people are often blessed with wonderful virtues like compassion, attention to detail, and great work ethics. The goal is not to neglect these qualities but to use them for more beneficial goals.
Some practical recommendations for a condition with high functioning anxiety are as follows:
Practice self-care:
Start small with self-care, such as taking a break when you feel upset, going to bed half an hour earlier than usual, taking a walk outdoors, eating regular meals without skipping, and limiting intake of caffeine.
Practice saying no:
People with high-functioning anxiety frequently overdo things. Their fear of supervising others makes them take on more work than they can handle. Adhering to the concept of “just say no” is not an act of selfishness or pride but one of the requirements for your mental well-being.
Challenge perfectionist thoughts:
Perfectionism and anxiety feel the same, showing no difference. Whenever you realize that perfectionism is tiptoeing around, change the pattern:
- Instead of “This must be absolutely flawless,” think, “This just has to be acceptable for now.”
- Instead of “I must be without any mistakes,” think, “I learn how to do things from mistakes.”
- Instead of “Everybody will criticize me when they see me doing something wrong,” think, “Most of the people have their own lives to think about and are not really paying that much attention to my mistakes.”
Seeking professional help:
If you’re experiencing persistent worried thoughts that interfere with your everyday life or feel like your coping techniques aren’t working, it is best to consult a mental health professional, such as a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in anxiety treatment.
Getting treatment doesn’t mean you’re broken. It is about building skills and understanding patterns. A mental health professional can help identify triggers and develop coping strategies. They provide a judgment-free space to explore feelings and learn new ways of thinking. Many people discover that their anxiety actually comes from strengths that have been pushed too far.
For example, a person who worries about minor details all the time might realize they are naturally talented at planning. The challenge is learning to use these talents in healthy ways, rather than simply trying to eliminate them.
Furthermore, the support of a professional, whether it be psychiatry or neuropsychiatry, helps break the cycle of hidden suffering. An online psychiatrist provides professional help for your mental health at your convenience. It gives people more drive in their journey to better emotional health as they can talk to and get advice from professionals without even commuting to a clinic.
How to Help Someone with High-Functioning Anxiety?
If you are helping someone who has high-functioning anxiety, perhaps the best thing you can do is:
- Listen to completely understand without first trying to solve their problems.
- Avoid comments like, “But you look fine,” or “Just think positively,” only make them feel more isolated. These types of comments can sometimes be good, but the person involved might feel even distant from understanding the issue.
- Praise them for their integrity, not the issues they are experiencing.
- Strongly recommend that their anxiety issue needs to be addressed (however, don’t force them to pursue it if they do not wish to do so).
The Takeaway
People who have high-functioning anxiety are individuals who experience all the internal symptoms of anxiety, yet they perform well in their daily lives. Its hidden costs include health problems, damage to close relationships, and emotional burnout.
However, with the right strategies and support, it is possible to treat this condition and have a fulfilling life. Moreover, the pattern of ignoring high-functioning anxiety has alarming consequences. This constant overdrive eventually leads to burnout, where even the simplest tasks become very difficult.
Remember that getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and also shows an individual commitment to a long-term, healthy, and happy life.
Leave A Comment