5 Things You Should Know About High Functioning Anxiety And What It Is

Many people have heard of high-functioning depression before, but high-functioning anxiety isn’t talked about as often. However, it’s just as important to understand what it is.

The more you know about high-functioning anxiety, the easier it is to determine if you’re dealing with it, and how you can cope. 

If you do discover that you’re living with high-functioning anxiety, it doesn’t mean you have to keep dealing with it every day. You deserve relief and peace as much as those with more debilitating fear. 

With that in mind, let’s take a look at five things you should know about high-functioning anxiety and what it is.

1. You Might Be a People-Pleaser

One of the reasons it can be so hard to diagnose high-functioning anxiety is that people mistake it for different things. 

For example, you might consider yourself a people pleaser. Maybe you have a hard time saying no to requests. Or, maybe you go out of your way to make others happy, even at your own expense. 

While it isn’t always a sign of anxiety, constantly looking for approval from others can be an underlying worry you should address.

2. Insomnia and Fatigue

The average adult should get between 7-9 hours of sleep each night. 

When was the last time you got that much? 

Insomnia and fatigue can be common signs of many physical and mental health conditions. However, if you find yourself tossing and turning each night, unable to sleep because you’re worried about something, or dwelling on mistakes and/or fears, it could be a sign of anxiety. It may not be enough to impact your life. However, eventually, not getting enough sleep can lead to serious health issues.

3. You’re a Perfectionist

Most people look at perfectionism as a mostly positive thing. They’re seen as people with a lot of drive and motivation to succeed. 

However, perfectionism often comes with a price. 

It’s never a bad thing to do your best and strive for greatness. However, perfectionism is impossible. When you set unrealistic expectations for yourself, it’s easy to feel anxious, because deep down you know they’ll never be met. 

Unfortunately, perfectionism can create a vicious cycle in your mind, fueling your worrying thoughts and making you feel like a failure.

4. You Dwell On Past Mistakes

Do you find yourself thinking about things you’ve done wrong almost constantly? Maybe they’re not even major issues, but you can’t seem to stop dwelling on them. 

It’s not uncommon for people to think about their past, and even feel guilty or worried about things they’ve done. However, if those thoughts consume you or you find yourself thinking about them frequently, it could be a sign of high-functioning anxiety. These thoughts might not keep you from going about your day, but they can be distracting, lower your self-esteem, and make it hard to stay focused on the things you need to do.

5. You Always Expect The Worst

While it’s okay to weigh the risks of things, people with high-functioning anxiety often expect the worst in every situation. Unfortunately, that makes it nearly impossible to ever relax and enjoy the moment, no matter what you’re doing. 

Obviously, that takes away a lot of life’s simple joys and pleasures, and can even lead to feelings of depression. 

If any of these things sound familiar, you could be dealing with high-functioning anxiety without even realizing it. 

The good news? You don’t have to feel this way forever. 

Feel free to contact us to learn more about anxiety therapy. By taking action now, you can keep your fears from becoming all-consuming, you can get to the root cause of your anxiety, and start to take control of your life once again.