Living in New York City can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. With so many opportunities and expectations, it’s no wonder that many New Yorkers experience high levels of stress and anxiety. Everyday stress can be considered normal, but if it starts to affect your daily activities and life, you may start to experience high-functioning anxiety.
What is high functioning anxiety? High-functioning anxiety is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by a person’s ability to function normally in their daily life while experiencing high levels of anxiety even though it might not be immediately apparent. While the person may appear to be successful and accomplished on the outside, they may be struggling on the inside with worry, self-doubt, and fear of failure. These people frequently worry excessively about the future, are perfectionists, and are overachievers. On the outside, they might seem cool and collected, but on the inside, they are battling high-functioning anxiety signs. This kind of anxiety is frequently characterized by unjustified feelings of great worry, fear, or panic. Figuring out what is high functioning anxiety in relation to how you feel and act on an everyday basis, will help you in the long run. You may experience both physical and psychological effects as a result of your high-functioning anxiety symptoms. Your mental health could suffer if you don’t get treatment for it.
Common Signs of High-Functioning Anxiety
In a city like New York, where success is often equated with ambition and hard work, it can be difficult for individuals with high-functioning anxiety to recognize their condition and seek help. They may feel like they are failing if they admit to experiencing anxiety, or they may be afraid that seeking help will make them appear weak or incapable. To gain awareness of this condition, questioning “what is high functioning anxiety” and how does this impact my life, can help with recognizing it.
However, it’s important to recognize that high-functioning anxiety is a real condition that affects many people in New York City and around the world. Some common high-functioning anxiety signs include:
- Perfectionism: High-functioning anxious people frequently have very high standards for themselves and work extremely hard to meet them. If they don’t meet these expectations, they might become overly critical of themselves and struggle with self-doubt and negative self-talk. They might also have a hard time accepting praise or appreciating their own accomplishments because they are constantly looking for ways to improve.
- Overthinking: High-functioning anxious people frequently talk to themselves and may obsessively worry about the future, replaying the past, and imagining hypothetical scenarios. They might have trouble relaxing and putting their thoughts to rest,and they might have trouble falling or staying asleep.
- Avoidance: People with high functioning anxiety may avoid situations or pursuits that they believe could be triggering or anxiety-inducing. This might include social interactions, professional obligations, or private obligations. Additionally, they might refrain from taking chances or making choices out of concern for choosing poorly or failing.
- Need for control: High-functioning anxiety sufferers might have a strong need for control and have a hard time giving tasks to others or accepting help. It’s possible that they believe that if they don’t handle everything themselves, it won’t be done properly or to their standards. Feelings of exhaustion and overwhelm may result from this.
- Physical symptoms: Physical symptoms like headaches, stiffness in the muscles, upset stomach,and fatigue can be signs of high-functioning anxiety. The physiological reactions of the body to stress and anxiety may be the cause of these symptoms.
- Impostor syndrome: Despite their successes, high-functioning anxiety patients may feel inadequate or like frauds. It’s possible for them to feel as though they must constantly meet people’s expectations or that they must always justify their actions.
Unlike other forms of anxiety, it’s possible to have high-functioning anxiety and still appear outwardly successful or productive. You may be able to manage your symptoms well enough that you don’t exhibit extreme signs of stress at work or with friends and family. And while you may appear to have it all together, your anxiety can be wreaking havoc on your mental health and well-being. Defining what is high functioning anxiety, and how it appears in your life is crucial. It’s important to remember that high-functioning anxiety is treatable, but it’s essential to seek professional help if you think you may be experiencing these symptoms.
Dangers of High-Functioning Anxiety
High-functioning anxiety may seem like a positive trait because it allows people to excel in their personal and professional lives while also appearing confident and accomplished. However, when you learn the true nature of what is high functioning anxiety, it reveals the consequences of neglecting symptoms. Also, it has a number of risks and drawbacks that could harm someone’s mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
When it comes to high-functioning anxiety, there are some serious risks that come with letting these symptoms go untreated. The most important thing to remember is that long-term exposure to stress can majorly affect your physical and mental health. It’s not uncommon for people with high-functioning anxiety to eventually experience burnout. People who have this condition might constantly feel under pressure to succeed, which can cause chronic stress and fatigue. It can be draining on the mind and body to constantly strive for perfection, fret about the future, and need to be in control. Burnout, which is characterized by exhaustion, a lack of motivation, and decreased productivity, can develop as a result over time.
When left untreated, the worry or fear you experience can become so intense that it interferes with your work and personal life. You may be unable to concentrate or focus on tasks, which can lead to decreased productivity and lower job performance. Other risks of high-functioning anxiety can include relationship problems, substance abuse, and physical health issues like high blood pressure or heart disease. High-functioning anxiety can also be linked to depression, so it’s essential to recognize the signs and get treatment as early as possible.
Get help for high-functioning anxiety today!
High-functioning anxiety can be a complicated and confusing experience, but it’s important to remember that you don’t have to suffer in silence. If you think you may be experiencing high-functioning anxiety signs, reach out to us for help. At Uncover Mental Health Counseling, we offer evidence-based, online therapy services to treat different types of anxiety disorders, including high functioning anxiety. With the right treatment plan and support system in place, you can find relief from your symptoms and start living a more balanced and fulfilling life.
