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Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions CategoryDo I Have High-Functioning Anxiety?
Table of Contents:OverviewWhat Is High-Functioning Anxiety?Physical Symptoms of High-Functioning AnxietyCommon Behaviors of High-Functioning AnxietyHigh-Functioning Anxiety vs Typical AnxietyCoping Strategies for High-Functioning AnxietyWhen to Seek Treatment for High-Functioning Anxiety
Anxiety DisorderRead Time: 5 Minutes
Published On: May 22, 2022
Reviewed On: May 22, 2019
Updated On: July 1, 2024
Overview
Updated on 2/10/22
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition, with18 percent of the US population dealing with it every year. We tend to think of anxiety as an all-encompassing, debilitating experience — which it is for many people. However, high-functioning anxiety is also common, where we walk through life silently carrying the burden of anxiety issues while outwardly living successfully.
Mind reeling, blood pumping, heart pounding, arms sweating, face flushing, leg bouncing, hands wringing, shoulders tensing, jaw clenching.
In this article, we’ll explain what high-functioning anxiety looks like, how it differs from typical anxiety, and how to cope with it.
What Is High-Functioning Anxiety?High-functioning anxiety is a mildtype of anxietythat impacts an individual physically and mentally but does not inhibit their ability to function in daily life. High-functioning anxiety is not a clinical psychological diagnosis, but these anxious feelings are still very real for anyone experiencing it.This mental health condition occurs on a spectrum. With anxiety, the spectrum runs from no anxiety issues todebilitating anxietyon either end. In reality, most people fall somewhere in the middle. High-functioning anxiety falls in that middle ground.
What Is High-Functioning Anxiety?
High-functioning anxiety is a mildtype of anxietythat impacts an individual physically and mentally but does not inhibit their ability to function in daily life. High-functioning anxiety is not a clinical psychological diagnosis, but these anxious feelings are still very real for anyone experiencing it.
This mental health condition occurs on a spectrum. With anxiety, the spectrum runs from no anxiety issues todebilitating anxietyon either end. In reality, most people fall somewhere in the middle. High-functioning anxiety falls in that middle ground.
Expert Insight
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), MA, MScBisma Anwar
One of the main struggles of high-functioning anxiety is that it’s often dealt with alone. It does not have to be though, there are resources and anxiety treatment available.Life transitions, genetic predisposition, or other stressors can lead to this type of constant internal worry for many people. Because of the high-functioning nature of this anxiety, individuals may cope with it without even realizing; they may never be diagnosed with a mental health condition. The anxiety could worsen, though, and lead to problems that need special attention. That’s why it’s something worth paying attention to.
One of the main struggles of high-functioning anxiety is that it’s often dealt with alone. It does not have to be though, there are resources and anxiety treatment available.
Life transitions, genetic predisposition, or other stressors can lead to this type of constant internal worry for many people. Because of the high-functioning nature of this anxiety, individuals may cope with it without even realizing; they may never be diagnosed with a mental health condition. The anxiety could worsen, though, and lead to problems that need special attention. That’s why it’s something worth paying attention to.
Online therapy for anxiety
Physical Symptoms of High-Functioning AnxietyAnxiety is an intense physical as well as mental experience that comes with many symptoms. Because mental illness is a spectrum, symptoms occur in varying degrees of severity, with some meeting psychologists’ diagnostic criteria and others not. No matter to what degree you experience anxiety, it is a valid feeling.You may have a form of anxiety if any of these symptoms impact you:Rapid heart rateSweating profuselyIncreased adrenaline and fight-or-flight responseMuscle tensionPhysical and mental fatigueUpset stomach or indigestionHeadachesFidgetingFlushed skinIf you have any or all of these anxiety symptoms frequently but are still externally functioning well, you likely have high-functioning anxiety. Any level of these anxiety symptoms will impact you greatly, so don’t minimize these sensations, even if they don’t seem severe enough.
Physical Symptoms of High-Functioning Anxiety
Anxiety is an intense physical as well as mental experience that comes with many symptoms. Because mental illness is a spectrum, symptoms occur in varying degrees of severity, with some meeting psychologists’ diagnostic criteria and others not. No matter to what degree you experience anxiety, it is a valid feeling.
You may have a form of anxiety if any of these symptoms impact you:
If you have any or all of these anxiety symptoms frequently but are still externally functioning well, you likely have high-functioning anxiety. Any level of these anxiety symptoms will impact you greatly, so don’t minimize these sensations, even if they don’t seem severe enough.
Common Behaviors of High-Functioning AnxietyBecause anxiety floods you in an intense physical and mental way, symptoms lead to challenging thoughts, behaviors, and habits. High-functioning anxiety comes with thought patterns of insecurity and perfectionism, also contributing to difficulty sleeping and burnout.Main behaviors of high-functioning anxiety include:Intrusive thoughts that worsen anxietyLack of sleep or poor sleepFear of failureBurnoutDifficulty saying noA constant need to stay busyPerfectionism and overachievementOverthinking and ruminationMost of these are internalized experiences that others around an individual experiencing high-functioning anxiety don’t recognize. This is why increasing awareness of the forms high-functioning anxiety takes is important in helping you or a loved one.Another sign to watch out for is frequently using unhealthy coping mechanisms to ease anxiety such as substance abuse, the misuse of food and exercise, or other harmful habits. These can be ways someone with high-functioning gets through the day, but if these behaviors go on unchecked, it could lead to a more serious mental health crisis.
Common Behaviors of High-Functioning Anxiety
Because anxiety floods you in an intense physical and mental way, symptoms lead to challenging thoughts, behaviors, and habits. High-functioning anxiety comes with thought patterns of insecurity and perfectionism, also contributing to difficulty sleeping and burnout.
Main behaviors of high-functioning anxiety include:
Most of these are internalized experiences that others around an individual experiencing high-functioning anxiety don’t recognize. This is why increasing awareness of the forms high-functioning anxiety takes is important in helping you or a loved one.
Another sign to watch out for is frequently using unhealthy coping mechanisms to ease anxiety such as substance abuse, the misuse of food and exercise, or other harmful habits. These can be ways someone with high-functioning gets through the day, but if these behaviors go on unchecked, it could lead to a more serious mental health crisis.
High-Functioning Anxiety vs Typical AnxietyThere’s a fine line between a touch of anxiety that pushes you to deal with stressors and debilitating anxiety that impairs your ability to function. That line is typically the difference between high-functioning anxiety and a clinical diagnosable anxiety disorder.“High-functioning anxiety does not impact a person’s ability to take care of their daily tasks and responsibilities,” says Anwar. “This type of anxiety is not diagnosable as a mental health illness. Other types of anxiety fit the criteria for a diagnosis as they impact daily functioning of an individual and can cause more serious impairment.”Clinicalanxiety disordersinclude generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias, among others outlined in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Someone with a diagnosable anxiety disorder may have panic or anxiety attacks that impact their ability to work and take care of responsibilities. If you think you may be struggling with anxiety, consult a doctor or therapist as they can provide a proper diagnosis.Those with high-functioning anxiety likely won’t be admitted to an inpatient hospitalization program, as could be the case for those with more serious anxiety disorders. Individuals with high-functioning anxiety can still greatly benefit from outpatient therapy and incorporating healthy coping skills to manage their anxiety.
High-Functioning Anxiety vs Typical Anxiety
There’s a fine line between a touch of anxiety that pushes you to deal with stressors and debilitating anxiety that impairs your ability to function. That line is typically the difference between high-functioning anxiety and a clinical diagnosable anxiety disorder.
“High-functioning anxiety does not impact a person’s ability to take care of their daily tasks and responsibilities,” says Anwar. “This type of anxiety is not diagnosable as a mental health illness. Other types of anxiety fit the criteria for a diagnosis as they impact daily functioning of an individual and can cause more serious impairment.”
Clinicalanxiety disordersinclude generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias, among others outlined in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Someone with a diagnosable anxiety disorder may have panic or anxiety attacks that impact their ability to work and take care of responsibilities. If you think you may be struggling with anxiety, consult a doctor or therapist as they can provide a proper diagnosis.
Those with high-functioning anxiety likely won’t be admitted to an inpatient hospitalization program, as could be the case for those with more serious anxiety disorders. Individuals with high-functioning anxiety can still greatly benefit from outpatient therapy and incorporating healthy coping skills to manage their anxiety.
Coping Strategies for High-Functioning AnxietyThere are many strategies that offer relief from dealing with anxiety. In the moment, anxietyfeels overwhelming. By learning healthy coping skills and striving for balance, anxiety becomes more manageable. According to Anwar, some great strategies for coping with high-functioning anxiety include:Foster a healthy lifestyle and work-life balancePrioritize getting enough, good quality sleepMake sure to eat a balanced diet regularly throughout the dayEngage in mindfulness and meditation to relaxPractice self-care to ensure you’re taking care of yourself and your basic needsRegularly engage in activities that bring you joy to help avoid burnout and ease stressThe list goes on as there are many tried-and-true practices available for dissipating anxiety. Different strategies work for everyone, just as everyone’s anxiety takes varying forms. Consulting a mental health professional can help you find what
Coping Strategies for High-Functioning Anxiety
There are many strategies that offer relief from dealing with anxiety. In the moment, anxietyfeels overwhelming. By learning healthy coping skills and striving for balance, anxiety becomes more manageable. According to Anwar, some great strategies for coping with high-functioning anxiety include:
The list goes on as there are many tried-and-true practices available for dissipating anxiety. Different strategies work for everyone, just as everyone’s anxiety takes varying forms. Consulting a mental health professional can help you find what
When to Seek Treatment for High-Functioning AnxietySomeone dealing with any level of anxiety can benefit from talk therapy and possiblymedication for anxietyto help ease their struggles. Even if you do not have a formal diagnosis, therapy can help anyone to process their life and foster good mental health. Especially if you are struggling with anxiety alone internally, reach out for mental health professional help and support.All levels of anxiety are impactful and you deserve help if it’s harming your mental health in any way. Early intervention also prevents your anxiety and mental health from getting worse. Anxiety is highly treatable and many effective treatment options are available.CBT for high-functioning anxietySpecifically, cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy work well in treating high-functioning anxiety. “Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)helps address negative thoughts and core beliefs that get in the way of managing anxiety,” says Anwar. “Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps recognize anxious thoughts and works towards changing these thoughts to more positive ones.” Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective anxiety treatment.DBT for high-functioning anxietyAnother great therapy modality for treating high-functioning anxiety isdialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)which “helps address feelings and thoughts that are related to anxiety and teaches skills to help manage them,” says Anwar. Dialectical behavioral therapy is a more skills-based therapy structure that works well for many clients.Medication for high-functioning anxietyAdditionally, anxiety medication is an option. Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications may help you if you’re struggling. This anxiety medication can bring your physical and mental state to a more stable level so you can work through the deeper issues causing your anxiety.Even if you are high-functioning and your anxiety isn’t debilitating, you are worthy of support and treatment. Starting your mental health journey can be overwhelming. Talkspace therapy makes it easier with affordable,online therapyavailable in just a few clicks. If you’re struggling with any level of anxiety, Talkspace therapists are here to help.
When to Seek Treatment for High-Functioning Anxiety
Someone dealing with any level of anxiety can benefit from talk therapy and possiblymedication for anxietyto help ease their struggles. Even if you do not have a formal diagnosis, therapy can help anyone to process their life and foster good mental health. Especially if you are struggling with anxiety alone internally, reach out for mental health professional help and support.
All levels of anxiety are impactful and you deserve help if it’s harming your mental health in any way. Early intervention also prevents your anxiety and mental health from getting worse. Anxiety is highly treatable and many effective treatment options are available.
CBT for high-functioning anxiety
Specifically, cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy work well in treating high-functioning anxiety. “Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)helps address negative thoughts and core beliefs that get in the way of managing anxiety,” says Anwar. “Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps recognize anxious thoughts and works towards changing these thoughts to more positive ones.” Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective anxiety treatment.
DBT for high-functioning anxiety
Another great therapy modality for treating high-functioning anxiety isdialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)which “helps address feelings and thoughts that are related to anxiety and teaches skills to help manage them,” says Anwar. Dialectical behavioral therapy is a more skills-based therapy structure that works well for many clients.
Medication for high-functioning anxiety
Additionally, anxiety medication is an option. Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications may help you if you’re struggling. This anxiety medication can bring your physical and mental state to a more stable level so you can work through the deeper issues causing your anxiety.Even if you are high-functioning and your anxiety isn’t debilitating, you are worthy of support and treatment. Starting your mental health journey can be overwhelming. Talkspace therapy makes it easier with affordable,online therapyavailable in just a few clicks. If you’re struggling with any level of anxiety, Talkspace therapists are here to help.
Bisma AnwarBisma Anwar is the Team Lead for the Talkspace Council of Mental Health Experts. A major focus in her work has been anxiety management and helping her clients develop healthy coping skills, reduce stress and prevent burnout. She serves on the board of a non-profit organization based in NYC called The Heal Collective which promotes advocacy and awareness of mental health issues in BIPOC communities.
Bisma Anwar is the Team Lead for the Talkspace Council of Mental Health Experts. A major focus in her work has been anxiety management and helping her clients develop healthy coping skills, reduce stress and prevent burnout. She serves on the board of a non-profit organization based in NYC called The Heal Collective which promotes advocacy and awareness of mental health issues in BIPOC communities.
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