High Functioning Anxiety
Have you ever wondered what high functioning anxiety feels like?
You're at work, and everything is going smoothly. You're certain your boss thinks you're one of the best employees she has ever had. You have a great team that gets along really well together. Your life looks pretty great on paper - so why do you always feel so afraid and nervous? As if you'll get fired if one little thing goes wrong?
Well, as long as you stay organized and in control, you'll be fine, right? Just don't say "no" to anything and have a backup plan (or two) for everything. And when it feels like everything is falling apart, cry it out for a moment, ignore the anxious thoughts in your head, and assure yourself by saying "I got this" - because that's what it means to stay calm and composed, doesn't it?
The thing about high-functioning anxiety is that you may not even recognize that you're worried. Your fears of disappointing your boss or letting down your team appear to you and others as a strong work ethic. While others see self-sufficient, you're experiencing a fear of asking for help because it means you aren't good enough. When they see a leader, you feel a fear of failure.
High-functioning anxiety is a type of anxiety that is tricky to notice. Thanks to its positive characteristics - the outgoing personality, helpfulness, proactiveness, and loyalty - this type of anxiety propels you forward in life in several ways.
However, a major challenge of high-functioning anxiety is that it's hard to know when you're crossing the line from perfection to overwhelm. In other words, you feel far different on the inside than what you show on the surface.
If you have high-functioning anxiety, you might experience some or all of the following struggles daily:
You overthink and ruminate
You show up too early for everything
You're a people pleaser; you struggle to say "no" and are always busy
You procrastinate, then work hard for long periods
You have nervous habits, such as nervous "chatter," or do things repeatedly
You feel intimidated by the future
You find it hard to enjoy the moment and relax
You avoid eye contact; people may find you hard to read (unemotional, cold)
You often compare yourself to others
There's no denying that high-functioning anxiety has its positive traits. And if you asked the people around you, most of them would have no clue that when you're always on the go, it's because you don't know how to flip the "off" switch without feeling guilty.
High-functioning anxiety may seem helpful on the surface, but beneath it are harmful thoughts and behaviors. It can hold you back and lead you to rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms. You may turn down social invitations, but it costs you the fulfilling social life you deserve. You may be loyal to a fault, but it eventually makes you mentally, emotionally, and physically drained.
High-functioning anxiety may come across as detail-oriented and organized. But really, it's a constant process of convincing yourself that you can't afford to fail because if anything goes wrong, it's because you weren't prepared enough.
But if there's one thing worth accepting that you do not have to manage on your own, it's your high-functioning anxiety.
You don't want others to see how worried or scared you are, so you attempt to convince yourself that everything is okay and there's no reason for anyone else's help. Unfortunately, this leaves very little room for growth because it means ignoring the fact that sometimes we all need support. So allow yourself to ask for help because it’s not a sign of weakness but strength.
Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as legal, financial, or medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional advice of your own attorney, accountant, physician, or financial advisor. Always check with your own physician, attorney, financial advisor, accountant, or other business or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.
