Are you constantly juggling a million different things, striving to appear perfectly put together on the outside – while battling a constant storm of worry, doubt, and unease inside?
If this resonates, you need to learn the signs of high-functioning anxiety.
They are easy to overlook – by both yourself and others. High-functioning anxiety isn’t obvious like traditional anxiety. When it goes unrecognized (as it often does), the silent toll leaves you mentally drained, endlessly stressed, and constantly questioning yourself.
Iremia Psychiatric Care knows how challenging this is, and we’re here to help. The first step forward is recognizing the often subtle and hidden signs.
In this post, we’ll cover:
- What high-functioning anxiety is
- The top seven signs of high-functioning anxiety that you need to know
- Your next steps to treat anxiety and find peace, confidence, and relief
Those with high-functioning anxiety often excel in their careers, relationships, and daily responsibilities– but it comes with a cost. While you may be handling everything on the surface, this invisible form of anxiety can quietly take over your life.
Keep reading for a clear picture of what high-functioning anxiety really looks like – and how you can begin to take control.
What Is High-Functioning Anxiety?
High-functioning anxiety is a form of anxiety where a person experiences the debilitating emotional and physical symptoms of anxiety – but is still able to maintain an outwardly successful life and perform needed tasks to function and even excel.
People with high-functioning anxiety appear put together on the outside, but often overwork themselves and feel overwhelmed inside. While they look composed, they are internally fighting a whirlwind of stress, exhaustion, and worry.
Anxiety disorders are incredibly common. Statistics show they affect over 40 million adults in the United States, with high-functioning anxiety being a frequently overlooked type.¹
Despite how common it is, many people don’t realize they have high-functioning anxiety because they are so good at masking their symptoms with outward success.
Let’s change that – and get you the help and tools you need to thrive.
What Causes High-Functioning Anxiety?
Many factors contribute to high-functioning anxiety. Here are some of the most common:
- Past experiences and trauma: If you’ve dealt with trauma – especially as a child, you may develop high-functioning anxiety as a way to cope. You may push yourself to perform to avoid feeling inadequate and remain in control.
- Genetics: Your family history plays a significant role in anxiety disorders. If anxiety runs in your family, you’re at a higher risk of experiencing it yourself.
- Brain chemistry: Neurotransmitters are chemicals in your brain that regulate emotions, mood, and behavior. When they’re imbalanced, anxiety and other mental health conditions can surface.
- Perfectionism: Feeling the constant need to do everything perfectly will increase your anxiety and stress. Perfectionist tendencies are extremely widespread in high-functioning anxiety.
- Chronic Stress: High-stress environments at home, school, work, or elsewhere will trigger or worsen symptoms of high-functioning anxiety.
Now that you know what high-functioning anxiety is and what causes it, let’s look at seven critical signs that indicate you or someone you love may be struggling and in need of help.
7 Signs of High-Functioning Anxiety
1. Constant Overthinking
Do you frequently struggle with an overwhelming number of thoughts that constantly race through your mind? If you overthink your decisions, social interactions, or even simple tasks of everyday life, you may have high-functioning anxiety.
Always worrying about “what ifs” and constantly over-analyzing will leave you exhausted and overwhelmed – even if you look unbothered on the outside.
2. Perfectionism
There’s a reason this is near the top of the list. Perfectionism is one of the most common signs of high-functioning anxiety!
Setting unrealistically high, unattainable standards will leave you feeling frustrated, like a failure, and that you’re never good enough – even when you achieve amazing things.
3. Negative Self-Talk
Is there a quiet (or not-so-quiet) voice inside your head that never lets up? If your internal dialogue is harsh, critical, or just plain mean – it’s often a surefire sign of high-functioning anxiety.
A negative view of yourself and critical self-talk can drastically impact your life, goals, and achievements.
4. Chronic Fatigue
Despite appearing successful and energetic from the outside, individuals with high-functioning anxiety typically experience profound fatigue and exhaustion.
This high level of fatigue results from the large amount of mental energy spent by always being on alert, feeling the need to do everything perfectly, and striving to meet or exceed unattainable expectations.
5. Trouble Relaxing
Do you struggle to unwind, turn your mind off, or relax? Pay attention to this subtle sign – a constantly racing or active mind is another overlooked sign of high-functioning anxiety.
When your alone time is filled with overthinking or feelings of guilt or dread, you can begin to suffer from insomnia, muscle tension, and burnout. This can worsen anxiety and ultimately cause you to stop enjoying the activities and hobbies you love.
6. People-Pleasing
High-functioning anxiety often surfaces as an overwhelming need to please others and be liked – and it can come at a considerable cost.
Pay attention if you frequently find yourself going out of your way to ensure those around you are happy, even at your own expense. This can often be as subtle as being seen as the “go-to” person at work, school, home, or with friends.
7. Sense of Impending Doom
Are you always waiting for something to go wrong? Do worst-case scenarios constantly fill your mind? Living with a frequent sense of dread is a common sign of high-functioning anxiety.
Feeling like something horrible is about to happen regularly (and that it’s your fault) leads to panic, stress, and overwhelm. You may even recognize that your thoughts are irrational, but that does not stop them from being all-consuming.
How Does High-Functioning Anxiety Affect Daily Life?
Despite often going undiagnosed, high-functioning anxiety impacts many aspects of your life. When untreated, it can negatively affect your physical health, career performance, relationships with others, and your relationship with yourself.
- Your Health: Chronic stress and anxiety can show up as headaches, insomnia, digestive issues, and even heart or cardiovascular problems.
- Your Career Performance: Even though you’re a high-achiever and get glowing performance reviews, your career growth may struggle due to burnout or imposter syndrome.
- Your Relationships: The weight and pressure of your expectations and the expectations you perceive from others can negatively affect all types of relationships.
Remember, these daily challenges may appear invisible to others, but they add up to a high emotional and physical burden that only increases with time.
The good news is that there are many effective ways to manage your anxiety and begin to thrive. Now that you know the critical signs and symptoms of high-functioning anxiety and the long-term impacts, here’s what to do next.
How to Manage Symptoms of High-Functioning Anxiety
If high-functioning anxiety is affecting you, there are steps you can take to manage your symptoms and find relief:
- Prioritize Self-Care: Prioritize activities that allow you to relax and recharge – whatever that looks like to you. Take time away from responsibilities to exercise, enjoy hobbies, or rest.
- Establish Boundaries: Learning how to say no is critical to managing high-functioning anxiety. Identifying and addressing people-pleasing and overcommitting is a skill that you can learn.
- Practice Mindfulness: Meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness exercises are effective ways to reduce overthinking, negative self-talk, and more.²
- Seek Professional Help: High-functioning anxiety is not something you need to face alone. Mental health professionals provide a wide range of therapy, counseling, and medication options to help and guide you.
Medications Used To Treat High-Functioning Anxiety
While therapy and lifestyle changes are effective for many, some people with high-functioning anxiety may need medication.³ Here are some of the most common medication options for high-functioning anxiety treatment:
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Fluoxetine and Sertraline are two common medications that regulate neurotransmitters to stabilize your mood and reduce anxiety symptoms.
- Benzodiazepines: Diazepam and Clonazepam may be used for more immediate relief during acute periods of anxiety.
- Antihistamines: While they’re typically used for allergies, certain types of anthistamines like hydroxyzine can help improve acute anxiety.
- Serotonin 5-HT1A Receptor Agonists: Buspar helps to improve anxiety by regulating neurotransmitters in the brain. It can be used daily or as needed for anxiety.
Different psychiatric medications are available depending on your symptoms, needs, and goals. If medication management is right for you, you and your healthcare provider will work together to determine the best option.
When Should You Seek Professional Help?
If you are experiencing any of the following, you should consider professional treatment and help for high-functioning anxiety:
- Becoming overwhelmed
- Experiencing significant distress
- Having trouble functioning in your daily life
- Experiencing emotional outbursts
- Having thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Get Help With Your High Functioning Anxiety Today
If you are suffering from high-functioning anxiety, help is available. Grecia Ibarra, MD(IG), PMHNP at Iremia Psychiatric Care is an expert in the diagnosis, treatment, and symptoms of high-functioning anxiety. She is also a tireless advocate for awareness of this quiet and often-overlooked illness.
At Iremia Psychiatric Care, we work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your anxiety and your specific needs.
Reach out today and take the first step towards peace, confidence, and relief.
FAQs: High-Functioning Anxiety
How do I tell if I have high-functioning anxiety?
If you constantly feel overwhelmed by worry, strive for perfectionism, and struggle to relax despite appearing successful, you may have high-functioning anxiety. Common signs and symptoms include overthinking, fear of failure, difficulty saying no, restlessness, and physical symptoms like muscle tension. If these patterns significantly impair daily functioning, it’s important to seek guidance from a mental health professional.
How do you treat high-functioning anxiety?
High-functioning anxiety can be managed through a combination of behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes, and coping strategies like deep breathing and mindfulness. Seeking help from a mental health treatment center or therapist can provide personalized tools to reduce anxiety and improve overall quality of life. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help improve persistent anxiety symptoms.
What is the #1 worst habit for anxiety?
Overthinking is one of the worst habits for anxiety because it creates a cycle of constant worry and fear of failure, making it harder to relax. This pattern worsens anxiety, drains mental energy, and often leads to procrastination and perfectionism.
References:
- Anxiety – (fda.gov)
- Mindfulness Meditation for Anxiety – (adaa.org)
- Mental Health Medications – (nih.gov)