High-Functioning Anxiety: What Is It and How Is It Treated?

It’s easy to assume that if you have an anxiety disorder, you might struggle to function in everyday life. But this assumption isn’t always true. In fact, many people with anxiety still go above and beyond when it comes to managing their daily responsibilities. This hides their symptoms from the people around them. Oftentimes, no one suspects that anything is wrong.

Furthermore, someone with high-functioning anxiety might assume that they’re perfectly fine, even if they have been feeling emotionally unwell for months to years on end, simply because they’re able to keep checking tasks off of their to-do list.

High-functioning anxiety can be hard to diagnose. People with this condition often put on a brave face while struggling behind the scenes. Therefore, people with high-functioning anxiety can spend years suffering in silence, wondering why nothing is getting better. Here are a few telltale signs of high-functioning anxiety, as well as some different paths for treatment.

Symptoms of High-Functioning Anxiety

People with high-functioning anxiety might experience a wide range of physical symptoms. This can include a high resting heart rate, muscle aches, headaches, and nausea. They may have trouble falling asleep at night or they may grind their teeth, which can lead to jaw tension and discomfort. Someone with high-functioning anxiety might be prone to crying or lashing out because of a minor inconvenience, simply because their plate is so full that they feel like everything will fall apart if one small thing goes wrong.

High-Functioning Anxiety Effects

One might think that someone with anxiety would shirk their responsibilities out of fear. But for people with high-functioning anxiety, the opposite is often true. Those with high-functioning anxiety typically keep up with their obligations and continue adding more responsibilities to their lives. They might feel like staying busy keeps a lid on their symptoms. They may also be prone to telling themselves that these symptoms are a sign of weakness, and that if they simply “toughen up” and work even harder, the problems will go away.

But over time, people with high-functioning anxiety can end up crashing hard due to burnout. It’s not uncommon for someone with high-functioning anxiety to reach a dramatic breaking point when they’re forced to admit that they need help.

Lifestyle Changes

While lifestyle changes are not a comprehensive “cure” for high-functioning anxiety, they will almost always be part of a treatment plan. This will likely involve turning down some responsibilities and getting comfortable with telling people, “No.” Additionally, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, cutting back on caffeine, staying hydrated, and eating nutritious meals are all essential for coping with high-functioning anxiety.

Talk Therapy

If you choose to work with a therapist to treat your high-functioning anxiety, they’ll go much further than simply recommending lifestyle changes. They will help you address the roots of your anxiety and shift your thought patterns and core beliefs.

People with high-functioning anxiety often find that their tendency towards perfectionism, and their difficulty forgiving themselves for minor mistakes, are often rooted in a deep-seated desire to please and a fear of being disliked. A therapist can help you get comfortable with being yourself, rather than squeezing yourself into a box.

Medication

Not everyone with high-functioning anxiety is a good candidate for medication. However, your therapist can help you figure out whether or not medication might be a good fit for your anxiety treatment plan. Some people find that medication helps them find dramatic relief from their symptoms.

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Do you suspect that you’re suffering from high-functioning anxiety? Working with a therapist can help you heal. Reach out to us to learn more about our anxiety therapy options.