What is High-functioning Anxiety?

If you are someone who on the outside seems to have everything together in your life, but find yourself constantly battling with inner worries and concerns, you may be experiencing high functioning anxiety.

High functioning anxiety is different to regular anxiety, in that the anxiety gets turned into drive and motivation, and the person ends up over-working and over-achieving. Some of the most successful people around us are those driven by high-functioning anxiety. It never lets you switch off, never lets you take credit for the good work you have done, and always keeps you looking for the next vehicle toward success.

The problem with high functioning anxiety is that even when success is achieved, it is never integrated into a sense of competence. Instead, the empty feeling of inadequacy remains. Never quite feeling like anything you do is enough, and always pushing you to achieve more. Perfectionism drives you like a task-master.

Most people with high-functioning anxiety keep going until they hit a wall. This wall is usually burnout. We implode. We explode. Our usual coping strategies stop working. We don’t recognise ourselves anymore. These are the most common reasons people with high-functioning anxiety come into therapy.

How do you know if you have high-functioning anxiety, when it is so subtle? Here are some of the most common symptoms.

1. Persistent worry and overthinking: Constantly worrying about various aspects of life, such as work, relationships, or personal performance, even when there's no immediate reason for concern. Overthinking and replaying scenarios in your mind can also be common.

2. Perfectionism: Setting high standards for yourself and feeling immense pressure to meet or exceed them. The fear of making mistakes and the need for everything to be flawless can be overwhelming.

3. Overachievement: Pushing yourself to accomplish more and constantly seeking validation or approval from others. You may have a strong desire to excel in multiple areas of life, whether it's academics, career, or personal goals.

4. Difficulty relaxing or unwinding: Finding it hard to relax and often feeling restless or on edge. Even during downtime, you may struggle to quiet your mind or fully enjoy leisure activities.

5. Avoidance of social situations: Feeling uncomfortable or anxious in social settings, particularly when meeting new people or being in large groups. This may lead to avoiding social situations or experiencing anxiety before and during social interactions.

6. Physical symptoms: Experiencing physical manifestations of anxiety, such as headaches, stomach aches, muscle tension, or difficulty sleeping, even if they are not severe enough to interfere with your daily functioning.

7. Overthinking past conversations or events: Frequently analysing and overanalysing past interactions or situations, trying to decipher the smallest details and potential implications.

8. Relentless self-criticism: Holding high self-expectations and being excessively self-critical. You may feel a constant need to prove yourself and fear judgment or rejection from others.

The thing that makes high-functioning anxiety so difficult to recognise, is the fact that most of these things are invisible to others. It becomes our norm to think and function in this way. Before you diagnose yourself, ask yourself the question – how functional is this for me? If it is pure drive and ambition, that’s fantastic. If it is the pursuit of perfection at the expense of yourself, you may want to look at getting help with making some changes.

If you feel like you may be struggling with High functioning anxiety, this is our area of expertise. At Dianne Everitt & Associates,. Our team of psychologists are all experienced in working with high achievers who struggle with high functioning anxiety. Drawing on a range of theories, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), we offer online anxiety counselling in Guildford and Wimbledon.

If you are ready to seek help for your anxiety, get in touch with our empathetic psychologists today to book your free online initial 20-minute consultation.