Can you observe someone who is struggling with inner battles? This is quite challenging for people suffering from high-functioning anxiety. It exhibits the symptoms of anxiety. However, a person may feel confident, content, and booming. But they are hiding their intense stress and emotions. Further, we will do an open discussion about its signs and symptoms, and most importantly, how high-functioning anxiety can be managed and treated.
What Is High-Functioning Anxiety?
What is high functioning anxiety? Before it gets confusing, let’s clear the air by not recognizing it as a disease. High-functioning anxiety is not described as a mental issue to diagnose. The term is specially used to define people who are putting on a mask of perfectionism and doing all their life responsibilities. They might seem calm at work, attending functions, and appear relaxed. They hide the pain behind their achievements and success. This defines how tricky it can be to identify the symptoms of high-functioning anxiety.
Signs & Symptoms Of High-Functioning Anxiety:
The signs of high functioning anxiety cannot be visible at first glance. Achievements and success can mask it. However, the high functioning anxiety symptoms can be shown in physical symptoms such as excessive sweating. Besides this, the following are some signs to detect in a person going through high-functioning anxiety.
- A person may have difficulty sleeping.
- He may have trouble relaxing and taking time for themselves.
- He continuously overthinks.
- He sets unrealistic goals.
- He is people’s pleasure.
- They always need to be busy.
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How High-Functioning Anxiety Is Different From General Anxiety?
When we talk about general stress, it can be shown through physical symptoms such as trembling hands, inability to perform well, etc. But the high-functioning anxiety is the total opposite of it. Dealing with high functioning anxiety can be tough, as it can be masked behind perfectionism. They are hard to notice and therefore they often go undiagnosed. They can appear and do well, but on the other side, they hide their pain behind their well-accomplished achievements.
What Causes High-Functioning Anxiety?
Various factors can be the cause high functioning anxiety. It can not be derived from a singular reason. Therefore, you can explore the following causes of high-functioning anxiety.
Personality Traits:
Different types of personality traits can lead an individual towards anxiety. A perfectionist is more prone to anxiety than others because of their fear of failure.
Life Experiences:
Early exposure to trauma can create a worse impact on mental health. This increases the chances of anxiety in a person.
Environmental Stress:
Societal pressure, hectic work routines, and toxic relationships can increase stress.
Genetics:
A family history plays a vital role in any mental disorder. If your family has a history of high-functioning anxiety, this will create a higher chance of getting through with it.
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The Hidden Cost Of High-Functioning Anxiety:
Are you genuinely happy or just pretending to be for an extended period? You should often ask yourself this question to acknowledge your own emotions. This way, you will cope with your ongoing stress. Also, it is a paradox as the outer world praises it, but a person suffers silently. It can be emotionally and physically exhausting for a person dealing with high functioning anxiety. However, you can discover the hidden cost of high-functioning anxiety.
- Chronic stress
- Difficult relationships
- Muscle tension, headache, etc.
- It can be exhausting for a person’s mental well-being.
Diagnosing High-Functioning Anxiety:
High-functioning anxiety is not diagnosed in the DSM. It is a condition recognized as a general anxiety disorder. However, the people may be successful, but they experience pain and constant anxiety internally. This constant stress can impact your mental well-being. You can raise awareness to seek help and support from professionals.
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Effective Treatments For High-Functioning Anxiety:
As we get busier daily, the stress increases the burden associated with work and personal relationships. This way, a person needs effective ways to cope with their worries and anxiety. Let’s further explore how high functioning anxiety disorder can be cured with the following effective treatments.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:
This therapy is highly beneficial for your mental well-being. It can transform your negative thoughts about a pattern into positive ones.
Mindfulness & Meditation:
You can do mindfulness practices and meditation, such as exercise and yoga. You can also take deep breaths in your favorite corner of your room. These will reduce your overthinking.
Lifestyle Changes:
A healthy lifestyle can bring majestic changes to your life. You can do a balanced diet and exercise. You can get a good sleep. These small changes will bring positivity to your life.
Support Groups & Counselling:
Sometimes all you need is someone besides you. You can talk to others to get support. Talking to them can help you understand your own emotions. This will give you relief from
unwanted stress and reduce your isolation.
Medication:
You can consult doctors if symptoms appear. You can take medication like antidepressants to relieve stress from daily life. Also, you will balance the neurotransmitter chemicals in the brain. This will bring a drastic change in your mood.
Read More: Positive Affirmations for Anxiety Relief and How to Use Them
Self-Care Strategies To Cope With High-Functioning Anxiety:
High-functioning anxiety requires the right approach and self-management techniques that can improve your mental well-being.
Set Boundaries:
You can set healthy boundaries around yourself. Say, anywhere you are not comfortable. This protects you from unwanted stress.
Schedule Downtime:
You should take breaks when life gets hectic. Also, you should take a rest as it is as important as productivity.
Challenge Perfectionism:
Sometimes we feel stressed about overachieving. This can cause a lot of trouble. Therefore, sometimes done is essential than being a perfectionist.
Limit Alcohol & Caffeine:
Avoiding alcohol and caffeine can reduce anxiety symptoms.
Read More: Cases of Anxiety and Depression are Rising, Especially Among Young Adults
Breaking The Cycle: Find Peace & Balance Beyond High Functioning Anxiety:
High-functioning anxiety doesn’t make you weak. Uncovering your hidden mask usually acknowledges you with your inner strength and capabilities. If you get recognized for going through severe stress and depression. You can seek help from self-management techniques and therapies. You can take the first step towards healing when you choose peace over perfection. Besides this, you can take effective therapies at Solid Foundation Psychiatry with our high functioning anxiety specialist. They deal with anxiety disorders with compassion and utmost care.