High-functioning anxiety is an anxiety disorder that goes unseen most of the time. High-functioning anxiety means that you can navigate through life and go through your daily operations as you would normally despite having anxiety. On the outside, they could be jovial and always happy, but on the inside, they could be battling with anxiety stress or fear. And so, often it is rather difficult to diagnose it, including for the sufferers themselves, because the condition does not interfere with people’s lives in any apparent manner.

This blog will assist you with identifying High-Functioning Anxiety Symptoms, observing how they present, and gaining knowledge on what to do if one is struggling with this disorder. This I believe, is the essence of understanding one’s state and trying to find the right help and care for the improvement of one’s mental health.

What Is High-Functioning Anxiety?

Another type of anxiety is high-functioning anxiety; a person is anxious on the inside but goes on with his busy schedule. Unlike other anxiety disorders that may cause a person to have significant impairment in his or her daily living, there may not always be impairment. A person with this condition will possibly excel in the workplace, settings, and in the relations interfered with while the anxiety is concealed behind success.

But still, they might be struggling with such high-functioning anxiety symptoms as excessive worrying, overthinking, and the need for perfection. About these signs, one should be clear to offer the proper kind of support.

Common Symptoms of High-Functioning Anxiety

It is worthy of note that, characteristics of high-functioning anxiety symptoms vary from one person to the other; notwithstanding, it is noticeable that some universally apparent qualities high-functioning anxiety sufferers exhibit. These are sometimes perceived as values which are unhealthy behaviors that have rather negative impacts on those who practice them by causing burnout, stress, and deterioration of mental health.

Here are the key high-functioning anxiety symptoms to be aware of:

• Overthinking: High-functioning anxiety is characterized by overthinking each decision that one makes. This may lead to the development of mental strain with the person second-guessing himself or herself consistently.
• Perfectionism: A constant urge to be perfect and succeed in any given work, in any relationship, and in completing all types of tasks.
• Fear of Failure: Even when they’re successful, individuals with high-functioning anxiety often fear failure. They may perform beyond their capacities to ensure they do not make mistakes more so when working on projects.
• Restlessness: In technical terms, they might always be tense or edgy or cannot find time to relax, which can prevent them from relaxing.
• Workaholism: It is common for persons with high-functioning anxiety to overcompensate at the workplace in an attempt to divert their thoughts. They put in many working hours and tend to find it hard to turn down new assignments.
• Insomnia: Insomnia is quite frequently witnessed when an individual is unable to fall asleep or has a hard time staying asleep. These thoughts and concerns may go round and round in their head and thus may not allow them to have a sound sleep.
• Avoidance: They use psychological methods to avoid situations that cause their anxiety or people or other locations that also hurt their quality of life.
• Procrastination: Though they may appear useful, procrastination is another way through which they deal with their anxiety, which results in last-minute stress.

Despite this, high-functioning anxiety symptoms can be camouflaged behind achievements and efficiency, which highly affect mental health. That is why it is crucial to detect them at an early stage to treat the anxiety and raise the general mood.

Physical Symptoms of High-Functioning Anxiety

However, it is also noteworthy that the symptoms of high-functioning anxiety are not only mental and emotional but can be observed physically as well. The somatic signs may be excluded or rationalized as resulting from a different condition related to anxiety. undefined

• Muscle tension: The continuous pressure leading to muscle contraction gives rise to tension, which is evident in the neck, shoulder, and back muscles.
• Headaches: This may include tension headaches or migraines that occur frequently due to anxiety.
• Fatigue: This indicates that anxiety manifests into a mental health disorder that can warrant physical fatigue regardless of the performance of the individual.
• Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath or difficulty in taking deep breaths is another symptom of anxiety.
• Heart palpitations: Palpitations or the feeling that the heart is racing can happen, which can be in response to stress or anxiety.

This is why it is important to identify these physical high-functioning anxiety symptoms. There is another classification of high-functioning anxiety and these must be recognized. Our body has ways of letting us know that our minds are stressed and if these signs are dealt with, the stress might easily be reduced.

Behavioral Characteristics Related To High-Functioning Anxiety 

People who struggle with high-functioning anxiety symptoms display particular behaviors that indicate their anxiety levels. These patterns are usually unnoticeable and may be incorporated into their daily timetable.

Here are some behaviors you might notice in someone with high-functioning anxiety:

• Constant busyness: They engage in certain activities to ensure that their minds are not preoccupied with the thought of the anxious feeling.
• Inability to relax: Some of them may find it hard to take a break, or even to sit still. It makes them feel like they should always be working or accomplishing something.
• Punctuality: Punctuality or being too early may be their way of avoiding a late arrival or making a mistake.
• Over-preparation: They might over-compensate in every scenario, be it formal business presentations or a simple meeting, because of the underlying anxiety that they are not sufficient.
• Difficulty with decision-making: They get overwhelmed by small decisions because they are afraid of making a bad decision.

However, these behaviors may not signify anything embarrassing; they are usually a sign of anxiety in most people. If taken to the extreme, they can prove very destructive to a person’s psychological and emotional well-being.

The Influence of High-Functioning Anxiety in Everyday Life 

Adjusting to a life where one constantly has to deal with high-functioning anxiety symptoms is extremely exhausting. Despite the seeming ability of people to run everything well, they are subconsciously handling strife. Long-term, the impacts of anxiety include mental health damage, strained relationships, and physical exhaustion.

Overachievers usually experience high-functioning anxiety, and they cannot enjoy the results of their hard work. On this exterior of success, they may experience feelings of inadequacy or think that they will not succeed. This results in building up ‘stress’ levels and ‘self-doubt’ which can only be treated after one has sought the necessary assistance.

Measures to Undertake Once You Identify the Signs

Measures must be taken if someone you know or yourself is experiencing such symptoms, which are characteristic of high-functioning anxiety. If these symptoms are not addressed, stress or burnout as well as more severe anxiety disorders are likely to occur.

Here are some steps you can take: Here are some steps you can take:

• Seek professional help: A therapist or counselor, therefore, can help in offering important insight and ways how to deal with anxiety.
• Practice relaxation techniques: Simple techniques such as deep breathing, meditation or a simple act of yoga could help lessen anxiety.
• Set boundaries: Some of the ways of weaning out the problems associated with burnout include being able to say no to work or other necessary engagements.
• Prioritize self-care: Take up hobbies that shall balance your time with work and leisure, exercising, and spending time with friends and or family.

Some of the high-functioning anxiety symptoms if addressed early, will help in minimizing their effects on the general well-being of an individual.

Conclusion

The first step to improving mental health is identifying and acknowledging high-functioning anxiety symptoms. Sometimes anxiety can be neglected when everything appears to be normal, but failure to treat such signs results in increased stress and damage. Do not forget that if you or any of your loved ones experience high-functioning anxiety, it is crucial to acknowledge the signs and try to get the necessary support.

At Avisa we are aware of the additional burden that high-functioning anxiety has to offer. This is a sensitive care model that seeks to assist every person in getting back to mental health to enhance independence. Do not let anxiety affect you and influence your everyday life negatively, call us today and let us help you towards a better quality of life.