5 Things You Do Because of High Functioning Anxiety
High Functioning Anxiety Can Bring Challenges But…
Overall, your life is good. You’ve got the job, the house, the friends, the partner.
But still, things just don’t seem right.
Sometimes you just feel stuck.
Your brain is overactive most of the time and you think of all the things that could go wrong.
I mean that’s normal right?
Who doesn’t think of things like this and try to prepare and have a plan in place for all the worst-case scenarios?
“My anxiety motivates me to get stuff done.” Does this sound familiar?
Chances are you may be experiencing high-functioning anxiety.
In this blog, I’m sharing with you 5 signs of high functioning anxiety.
I am an online anxiety therapist in Wilmington, NC, and provide therapy for anxious high-achieving women in North Carolina and Maryland.
Women with high functioning anxiety also tend to encounter other issues such as perfectionism and burnout so it is important to address these things in therapy as well.
I provide online therapy in Maryland and throughout North Carolina.
Are you ready to start anxiety treatment with me? Click the button below to reserve your free 15-minute consultation on the date and time of your choice.
Keep reading to learn more about the signs of high-functioning anxiety.
What is High Functioning Anxiety?
A person with high functioning anxiety means they experience anxiety and can function in everyday life. High functioning anxiety can be tricky because most often the symptoms a person could be experiencing can appear, with emphasis on appear, to be enhancing parts of their life.
In reality, their high functioning anxiety can impact relationships, and their job, and can lead to burnout.
Typically, the person may seem like they have it all together on the outside and you may not know they are anxious. On the inside though, it’s a whole other story.
A lot of the symptoms of anxiety are not outwardly noticeable.
5 Signs of High Functioning Anxiety
Understanding anxiety and how your anxiety shows up is important and key. Listed below are the top signs of high-functioning anxiety in high achievers.
Sign of High Functioning Anxiety #1 - People Pleasing
You go with the flow and you are not one to rock the boat. Going along with things is much easier because then you don’t have to endure the anxiety of saying “no.”
When you are a people pleaser, setting boundaries is an important part of your self-care routine.
Sign of High Functioning Anxiety #2 - Attention to Details
You want everything to go just right it needs to be perfect.
You pay such close attention to detail because you have a fear of failure and things not going according to plan or how you want them is just not an option.
Sign of High Functioning Anxiety #3 - Super Organized and Have a Schedule
You might look at this and think “what’s wrong with being organized?”
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being organized, I too have a love for planners and sticky notes. The problem comes when a person becomes super rigid with their schedule and symptoms of anxiety increase when changes occur and things don’t go according to plan.
Sign of High Functioning Anxiety #4 - Punctuality is Important
You’d rather show up 20 minutes early and sit in your car than face the anxiety and embarrassment of walking in late to meet with someone.
Sign of High Functioning Anxiety #5 - Overachiever
You bite off more than you can chew and attempt to juggle all the things. From the outside, it probably looks like you’ve got it all under control. Chances are on the inside you are doing some worrying and planning for every worst-case scenario you can.
There is a fear you aren’t good enough but you know you’re capable. That self-doubt is so loud.
Start Anxiety Therapy in Wilmington, NC at Calm Waters Counseling
It is important to recognize the signs of high functioning anxiety and can provide a lot of answers to what you may be experiencing.
Recognizing signs of high functioning anxiety can allow you to take action and begin to get some support. If left untreated, high functioning anxiety can lead to burnout.
I use acceptance and commitment therapy for anxiety treatment.
You can learn more about ACT and if Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be helpful for you.
Get started in therapy at Calm Waters Counseling by following these 4 simple steps:
Click the button below to schedule your free 15-minute consultation
Complete the brief questionnaire sent to your email before the consultation
Meet with your anxiety therapist
Start living your life more in control
Therapy for High Achievers in Wilmington, NC at Calm Waters Counseling
It is very common for high-achievers to experience high-functioning anxiety due to the nature of the high-achiever personality and the challenges that come with being a high-achiever.
You can learn more about me and my Wilmington, NC online counseling practice.
Check out all therapy services offered at Calm Waters Counseling, listed below:
Anxiety counseling in Wilmington, NC
Treatment for Perfectionism in Maryland
Burnout Counseling in Wilmington, NC
Therapy for Imposter Syndrome in Wilmington, NC
Online Anxiety Therapy in Maryland
There are a lot of benefits and flexibility with online therapy. It’s for this reason, that it makes a lot of sense for the hard-working high achieving woman. Online therapy is also as effective as in-person therapy sessions.
Online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for anxiety is helpful and effective.
Click the links below to learn about online therapy where you live
online therapy for anxiety in North Carolina
online anxiety therapy in Maryland
Still, have questions? Click the buttons below to get some more information.
Written by: Laura Rippeon, LCSW, LCSW-C
Updated 3/18/23