‘’High functioning anxiety is a form of anxiety disorder that is high functioning from outside, while low functioning and distress from inside for individuals. There is an extensive list of truths or facts about high functioning anxiety, such as: it is not a clinical diagnosis, struggles are not evident, manifest differently in each season, can affect personal, professional, social life, or relationships.
High functioning anxiety (HFA) is a type of anxiety where individuals appear happy, calm, and composed, and successful, but from inside, they are struggling with stress, anxiety, fear, and emotional instability. This is not just a form of anxiety; it is a silent struggle of many individuals.
Several recent studies have reported that approximately 40 million adults deal with anxiety and face difficulty in different areas of life. High-functioning anxiety mostly remains unidentified or unrecognized. Even though this form of anxiety isn’t officially recognized, it shouldn’t be ignored. If the symptoms of high-functioning anxiety are left untreated, then it can also result in major negative consequences.
Behind The Mask: Truths About High-Functioning Anxiety
Individuals with high-functioning anxiety look normal from their appearance and behavior. Although they are suffering from anxiety, they exhibit a high level of functionality in different areas of their life. In their respective fields and careers, they are successful and achieving their goals, but deep inside struggling with persistent anxiety and fear.
1. Quite Different From Other Anxiety Forms
Externally, it seems that individuals are effectively managing their lives without any stress, but internally, they are stuck in the cycle of worries and fear.
2. Not a Clinical Diagnosis
High functioning anxiety is not officially diagnosed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) like generalized anxiety disorder.
3. Origin of High-Functioning Anxiety
High functioning anxiety appears due to a combination of genetic, biological, social, and environmental factors. In addition, most of the researchers say that childhood also shapes anxiety into high-functioning anxiety. As most of the parents praise the children only when they do good. This makes their mindset that their worth is only linked to their success and achievements. This cycle of thoughts goes on until they do not get professional help.
4. Struggles are Internal and Hidden
Every individual battles with constant worry , fear and self-doubt from inside but stays normal and productive from outward. Their hidden struggles do not interfere with their normal life functioning.
5. False Identification in Some Cases
Most of the individuals think that perfectionism, being highly active, organized, and a high achiever, is a green flag and a positive trait. This results in the masking of anxiety under the roof of mental worries.
6. Anxiety Manifests Depending on the Season
In individuals, anxiety manifests differently based on each season, such as:
Summer: In summer seasons, individuals suffering from high-functioning anxiety take more stress than usual. They mostly remain overwhelmed with the stressful thoughts that they have to fulfill their responsibilities with retained excellence.
6.1. Likewise, they Immediately Get Anxious
- After attending any social event
- After giving any presentation
- After thinking about new plans
6.2. Spring
Spring is considered a golden time for high-functioning anxiety individuals. In this season, they feel more positive, productive, and also higher energy levels. Their feelings of stress or anxiousness get masked, and they start considering both their physical and mental health.
Previously, they were not focusing, but spring brings awareness to deeply consider the stability of their emotions and mental health. However, in most individuals, allergies act as a trigger of high-functioning anxiety in the spring season. The anxiety that appears in the spring season is due to multiple factors, such as fear of judgement, criticism, or failure, over excessive burden of tasks.
6.3. Fall
In the fall season, high-functioning anxiety is also active. They feel the stress of long to-do lists and sudden schedule changes. They face trouble in adjusting to a new routine and always remain in fear that they can’t do it and make a mistake. Moreover, they also have trouble organizing things.
6.4. Winter
Winter is that phase in which individuals feel a lack of control over their minds. Their self-confidence and self-esteem also get reduced to a major extent. They consider themselves less capable of doing any important task or activity. Moreover, they never stay in and enjoy the present moments and always take stress from things that may happen in the future.
Following are the most common examples of anxiety that occur in winter:
- Stress of upcoming holiday plans
- Excessive stress about the future
- Fear of not meeting the standards
7. Struggles are Diverse
In high-functioning anxiety, individuals not only struggle with their general feelings of stress, worry, and nervousness but also deal with:
- Fear of criticism
- Fear of losing control over the mind
- Fear of looking foolish in front of others
8. Physical Symptoms Are Also Common
High-functioning anxiety not only involves stress, but various physical symptoms also appear in individuals, including:
- Elevated heart rate
- Muscle tension or stiffness
- Numbness or tingling
- Excessive sweating or shaking of hands
- Headache
- Issues in sleep
- Issues in the gastrointestinal tract
9. Anyone Can Suffer
High-functioning anxiety is not restricted to a specific person, as any individual of any age or gender can suffer from high-functioning anxiety. However, women are more likely to suffer from anxiety as compared to men. They have to face more different external stress factors, including societal pressure, domestic violence, and other relationship issues.
10. Anxiety Can Affect Different Areas of Life
High-functioning anxiety can affect every area of life. Whether you are in a personal or professional setting or dealing with relations, if you are suffering from high-functioning anxiety, then you will have to encounter multiple challenges.
10.1. Work
Individuals with high functioning anxiety take more stress about their performance. They think that they should work hard to achieve their goals. Moreover, they also believe that continuous struggles are essential to excel.
10.2. School
Children with high-functioning anxiety feel like they should study more if they want to stay productive. In addition, they always remain worried about how they can achieve good grades in school and become a topper.
10.3. Relationships
If you are in a relationship and also battling with high-functioning anxiety, then you will keep thinking about how you can become a good spouse or partner. Likewise, parents also take stress by thinking that they are not good parents and how they can be for their children.
11. Overfunctioning in Life
Although high functioning anxiety does not affect the normal life functioning of individuals, it does not mean that it does not result in any issues. Individuals with high-functioning anxiety perform their functions by exceeding the normal levels. They spend extra time in the office and do extra work. Likewise, they also complete the extra assignment and help others even at a time when they should take some rest. Moreover, they make extra efforts to achieve success and meet the standards of society. But in the long run, this can lead to burnout.
12. They are Caring and Empathetic
People with high functioning anxiety are caring, supportive, and empathetic. Although deep down they are getting overwhelmed with anxiety, but put their anxiety aside they help others and show a deep concern for those who require love, care, and support. They not only utilize their powers to navigate all life challenges but also guide others to do so.
13. It Is Different From Generalized Anxiety Disorder
In high-functioning anxiety, individuals are successful in their lives as there is no functional impairment, while in Generalized anxiety disorder, individuals experience significant impairment in daily life functioning.
14. Not a Severe Form of Anxiety Disorder
High functioning anxiety is not a dangerous or severe form of mental health issue. Although it does not affect the normal functioning of life, it does not mean that it should be avoided or ignored.
15. Overlaps With Impostor Syndrome
High functioning anxiety also gets linked with impostor syndrome. Even after getting success, they doubt themselves and stay in the stress and fear of being ‘’found out’’; as a fraud. So no matter what they achieve in their life, they never feel internal happiness and live with stress and fear.
16. Therapy And Counseling Can Work
Fortunately, therapy and counseling can assist individuals in managing the symptoms of high-functioning anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is ideal as it helps them to identify the triggers and then transform their negative thoughts to positive ones. Counseling is effective in teaching them the best ways to reframe their thought patterns and emotions and develop productive and healthy coping strategies.
17. Coping Strategies Can Also Do Wonders
Other than therapy and counseling, coping strategies can also function better to ease the anxiety in high-functioning anxiety, which includes:
- Prioritizing self-care
- Mindfulness techniques
- Stress management techniques
- Setting some boundaries
- Acknowledging the thoughts
- Learning to face and accept criticism
18. You Can Manage Your Condition
Each individual who is suffering from high-functioning anxiety needs to understand that they can effectively manage their condition. They just have to ensure a few things to deal with high-functioning anxiety. They should learn to say no and also set boundaries so no one can control them. Moreover, they should understand that they can build more skills with time and get rid of their condition.
What Are the Ways to Deal With High-Functioning Anxiety?
If you are having high-functioning anxiety and want to get rid of its symptoms, then ensure the following things:
1. Identify The Signs
You should be completely aware of all the symptoms of high-functioning anxiety so you can find ways later to deal with them.
2. Learn Coping Strategies
Find out what the main coping strategies are and how you can implement them in your daily life to get protected from high-functioning anxiety.
3. Seek Professional Help
If you feel that the symptoms of high-functioning anxiety are getting worse, then seek professional help.
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