High Functioning Anxiety

High Functioning Anxiety

High functioning anxiety occurs when someone presents as an organized and productive professional, but on the inside they suffer from anxiety. They may appear to be successful at work and have a busy social life, but their deep fears of failure, disappointing others or judgment are actually fueling their symptoms.

People with high functioning anxiety often worry that they won’t accomplish enough, or be good enough, so they take on more tasks than they can manage. This can lead to burnout – when you feel physically, emotionally and mentally worn out from excessive stress.

They tend to fear making mistakes and have high standards that make it difficult for them to trust others with tasks. Furthermore, these people tend to be harsh critics and use alcohol or substances as a way of managing their feelings of anxiety.

Coping skills are invaluable, but they don’t always alleviate anxiety. Medication, psychotherapy and lifestyle changes may be necessary to provide relief.

Don’t let symptoms get out of hand and become an obstacle to work, relationships and overall well-being. The key is learning how to manage and reduce symptoms so you can remain a positive force in your world.

To achieve optimal quality of life, the best way to begin is with proper support. Finding someone to talk to about your symptoms and identify triggers can be the first step toward improved wellbeing.