3 Signs You May Have High Functioning Anxiety
Despite popular belief, anxiety isn’t always bad. It’s our brain’s way of alerting the body to prepare for the worst-case scenario. Why does it have a bad rap?
Approximately 40 million American adults experience symptoms of anxiety. The one with severe conditions cannot retract from the constant state of worry and self-doubt. These thoughts can be disruptive, and they often affect your quality of life.
If you have high functioning anxiety, you might not be paralyzed by those fears. Instead, anxious thoughts will motivate you to work harder. Due to this, you may excel in academic and professional settings. People might even label you as a high-achiever.
It’s difficult to pinpoint which factors determine what type of anxiety you may develop as you mature. Yet, some signs help you categorize your mental health condition.
So, what are the main signs of high functioning anxiety?
Signs of high functioning anxiety are contradictory. You may appear calm and collected on the inside but simultaneously struggle with a flurry of overwhelmed thoughts. Compared to other forms of anxiety, you have more control of your emotions, reactions, and regressive thought patterns.
However, this type of anxiety still requires treatment.
This article gives you an overview of the symptoms and signs of high functioning anxiety. We discuss self-help tips to cope with such a chaotic mindset too.
The Premise: What Is High Functioning Anxiety?
Individuals with high-functioning anxiety perform well academically and professionally despite dealing with anxious thoughts. These people are like a living paradox. Their outward personality doesn’t match the anxious debates taking inside them. This can place extra stress on them.
According to Very well Mind, people with high functioning anxiety typically have a “mild to moderate level of anxiety.” They may experience a low to moderate level of stress than a high level of worry experienced as individuals with a General Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
Therefore, these individuals find it easier to break the cycle of intrusive thinking and stay focused on the task.
What Are Some Common Causes of High Functioning Anxiety?
A study reveals that a combination of variables causes anxiety disorders. These include genetics, poor health, personality traits, and substance abuse. Environmental factors like demanding occupation, familial conflicts, and peer pressure may also lead to high functioning anxiety.
Let’s take a closer look at these causes of anxiety:
Hereditary. Anxiety disorders are common amongst children where one or both parents have a history of mental health issues in the family. A careful study can determine how genetic makeup can make you more vulnerable to anxious thoughts.
Underlying Health Issues. Hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems, heart issues, and other physiological problems can cause anxiety. There’s a correlation between anxiety and other mental health issues like depression, insomnia, and other disorders.
Personality Traits. Children who are shy or nervous during their early years are more likely to experience anxiety.
Environmental Factors. Traumatic events and stressful routines can result in the development of this mental health condition.
Substance Abuse. Excessive use (or withdrawal) of alcoholic drinks and drugs can trigger anxious thoughts.
You can’t always pinpoint the primary cause for anxiety when someone you know experiences its symptoms. Always consult a licensed mental health care professional or your general physician for an official diagnosis. These practitioners can determine why you may have high functioning anxiety.
The Symptoms: What Are the 3 Signs of High Functioning Anxiety?
You may have high functioning anxiety if you are an overachiever that obsesses over planning everything to perfection. Additionally, you can’t say no to others to avoid confrontation. Your proactiveness and people-pleasing tendencies might stem from the persistent need to prevent unwanted situations at work or in a casual setting.
This section decodes the main signs of high functioning anxiety.
They are as follows:
Perfectionism: How Does High Functioning Anxiety Influence Your Performance?
Anxious thoughts might compel people to strive harder and perform better than peers. Their perfectionism can lead to a highly successful track record.
Overthinking can drive you towards overachievement if you assess your self-worth by comparing profits, awards, praise, and success. For perfectionists, anxious thoughts serve as a motivation. It might compel you to go the extra mile while performing professional tasks or personal actions.
Due to this, you may be recognized by peers and the public for your high achievements and exceptional work ethic.
Proactive and Organized: How Do People with Anxiety Plan Their Day?
High functioning anxiety can convince people that they need to think things through beforehand. They plan everything to ensure they are not surprised when they arrive somewhere or in a crowded setting.
Whether you’re worried about upcoming assessments, projects, corporate meetings, or a beach trip, you might pick up a planner.
Most people use long to-do lists, set reminders, and fill planners to ensure they don’t miss anything during the scheduled event. These steps allow them to prepare for the worst-case scenario and overcome it easily.
Additionally, you might keep your living space and work desk tidy to prevent misplacing your favorite possession or crucial document.
What’s more? Procrastination and proactiveness fall under the opposite spectrum. Yet, they are both signs of high functioning anxiety. Perfectionists often procrastinate when things are not going as well as they like.
However, their need to overachieve compels them to work harder during crunch time.
People Pleasers: How Does High Functioning Anxiety Affect Your Relationships?
Anyone who has high functioning anxiety might be unable to decline requests. They will agree to help others regardless of how busy they are at that time.
There are pros and cons to pleasing people regardless of how busy you are already at that time. Firstly, you often build a more profound bond with colleagues when you’re agreeable.
On the other hand, people-pleasers can’t maintain proper boundaries during relationships. The fear of disappointing loved ones and colleagues compels them to overcommit to responsibilities. As a result, you may have to tackle a long list of tasks in a short time.
Bonus: What Are Some Other Traits of People with High Functioning Anxiety?
You may experience a myriad of emotions and feelings if you have high functioning anxiety. You may benefit from them but also experience some setbacks. These include overthinking, outgoing personality, procrastination, nervousness, and reflective thoughts.
Here’s a complete list of its signs and symptoms:
A lack of healthy social relationships and an introverted lifestyle
Some people may demonstrate a constant need to prove their self-worth
Mental health issues
Insomnia (i.e., disrupted sleep cycle that causes you to stay awake at night)
People may perceive your personality as unemotional and cold
You may procrastinate because you are unsure how well you will perform, and eventually, you might work in overdrive to meet the deadline
Ruminative thoughts (i.e., negative scenarios) run through your head repeatedly
You pick up nervous habits (like biting your nails, lips, or fiddling with loose strands of hair) whenever you’re experiencing anxiety
Aside from this, people with high functioning anxiety are more inclined to use recreational drugs and alcohol to calm their nerves. Excessive intake might result in addiction.
Words of Wisdom: Watch this insightful Ted Talk by Jordan Raskopoulos on navigating the signs of high functioning anxiety as a performer.
The Treatment: How to Cope with High Functioning Anxiety?
You can deal with signs of high functioning anxiety independently or through clinical support. Self-help includes the adoption of healthy habits. For example, meditation, physical activity, and asking for help are all ways to manage your symptoms better.
Here’s a preview of your self-care plan for curbing anxious thoughts:
Use physical activities like walking, stretching, dancing, and outdoor sports to keep your mind away from negative thoughts.
Meditate 5-10 minutes a day to focus on the positive and let go of regressive thought patterns.
Confide in friends and colleagues to ensure someone intervenes when your high functioning anxiety compels you to overcommit.
You can also use psychotherapy and affirmations to reframe your mindset. Gaining some clarity on how your mind processes anxious thoughts can prove beneficial. It can help you prepare counteractive strategies to break the pattern.
Words of Wisdom: Watch Dr. Caroline Leaf presents an overview of how high-functioning anxiety works and how to treat it.
Learning to Live with High Functioning Anxiety
Mental health disorders are identified through various symptoms. The common signs of high functioning anxiety include a mix of contradictory traits. Overthinking, self-doubt, and people-pleasing may cause individuals with this disorder to become overachievers and exceptionally organized professionals.
Many people consider it a “double-edged sword” because you’re always chasing a facade of perfection to prevent your anxious assumptions from becoming a reality. These efforts can be mentally and emotionally draining. Often, it can cause your body and brain to crash and burn.
Nevertheless, you can cope with the negative repercussions of this mental health issue through self-care. Mindfulness, meditation, and self-affirmations are some habits that can help shift your focus from worst-case scenarios to the joys of living. Additionally, form a healthy support system that allows you to cope during tough times.
If things get out of hand, we recommend seeking professional help to treat high functioning anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication, and breathwork can significantly impact how you behave and think.
