Anxiety is a multifaceted kaleidoscope, painting unique colors and patterns in the minds of each individual who bears its weight.
Did you know anxiety disorders affect 18.1% of adults every year in the United States?
Well, I’m one of those adults. The past few years were filled with so much trauma and stress. I was starting to feel like I was shutting down. Mentally, physically, and emotionally. I had finally reached my breaking point and decided that I should seek professional help. As we sat and talked about my generalized anxiety disorder and the 7 signs of high-functioning anxiety, she asked if anything happened lately to trigger it. That was such a loaded question. My eyes started to water as I thought about our lives. And all the different ways it had changed. At that moment I also wondered if I should or could open up to this doctor who didn’t look anything like me. Would she be able to empathize or even understand how heavy this weight and trauma is that I’ve been dealing with every day?
None of that mattered because I was tired of pretending I was okay.
What is high-functioning anxiety?
High-functioning anxiety refers to a type of anxiety where individuals appear to function well in their daily lives despite experiencing high levels of anxiety symptoms.
“Anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For a person with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time.” — National Institute of Mental Health
7 signs of high-functioning anxiety
Do people still use the term “high-functioning”
The term “high-functioning anxiety disorder” has been used by a lot of people to describe individuals who appear to function well despite experiencing anxiety. It is important to note that the concept of “high-functioning anxiety” is not a clinical diagnosis recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
What are some types of anxiety disorders?
- Generalized anxiety disorder – a mental health condition characterized by excessive and persistent worry or anxious thoughts about various aspects of life. Such as work, health, relationships, or everyday situations.
- Panic disorder – a type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks.
- Phobias – a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an intense and irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity.
- Social anxiety disorder – a mental health condition characterized by an intense fear of social situations and a persistent concern about being embarrassed, humiliated, or judged by others.
- Separation anxiety – a psychological condition characterized by excessive distress and anxiety when an individual is separated from a person or place they are emotionally attached to.
These disorders can manifest differently in individuals, and some people may exhibit high levels of functioning while experiencing symptoms of high-functioning anxiety.
What are the 7 signs of high-functioning anxiety?
When thinking about the 7 signs of high-functioning anxiety these are the ones that come to mind.
Perfectionism:
People with high-functioning anxiety often set extremely high standards (unrealistic expectations) for themselves. It’s so hard to live in the present moment when you strive for perfection in everything you do. They may fear making mistakes and constantly seek validation and approval.
Overthinking:
Constant worry and overanalyzing situations are common traits of high-functioning anxiety. Individuals may dwell on past events or anticipate future scenarios. I’m a person who has difficulty making decisions and a persistent feeling of being overwhelmed. My thought process is all over the place.
Avoidance of failure or criticism:
Due to a fear of failure or criticism, individuals with high-functioning anxiety may avoid certain situations or tasks that they perceive as potentially threatening. They may seek constant reassurance and have difficulty accepting constructive feedback.
Need for control:
People with a high level of anxiety often feel the need to be in control of their surroundings. They may struggle with lifestyle changes like uncertainty. They may plan excessively and have a hard time adapting to unexpected situations.
Constant busyness:
Keeping busy and maintaining a hectic schedule can be a way for individuals with high-functioning anxiety to distract themselves from their underlying anxiety. They may take on multiple tasks or responsibilities to keep their mind occupied. I don’t even know if this is me needing to be busy or the fact that if I’m not doing something I feel like I’m slacking. I constantly have to remind myself that rest is a necessity.
People-pleasing tendencies:
A desire to please others and avoid conflict is common among those with high-functioning anxiety. They may put the needs of others before their own, struggle with assertiveness, and experience fear of rejection or disapproval.
Social anxiety:
While appearing confident on the surface, individuals with high-functioning anxiety may experience social anxiety. I worry excessively about being judged. I also feel self-conscious in social situations and have a fear of embarrassing myself. Because I am on social media people assume I am outgoing. That is so far from the truth.
Why do I have high-functioning anxiety?
There are different causes of high-functioning anxiety, but I also have ADHD. Adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD) lead anxious lives. The nature of ADHD often makes day-to-day life stressful. I’m not going to say it’s the sole reason for my anxiety. However, the two are linked. For me, it’s not just one thing. It’s a plethora of things. A build-up. However, I know in order to deal with my emotions and mental health I have to understand what’s causing my anxiety.
7 signs of high-functioning anxiety
What does it feel like to have high-functioning anxiety?
Trying to properly put into words what I feel has been challenging. I go days at a time without sleeping. I’m not even saying that I got very little rest either. I mean I literally wouldn’t sleep. This scared me. Because all I could think about was constantly being tired and possibly getting into an accident. I could put myself, or even worse, someone else in danger. When I did manage to sleep. I would wake up at the crack of dawn because of my racing thoughts. It’s like I’m always thinking about something. It’s a huge contradiction because I’m always tired yet I can’t ever sleep. The worry and stress consume me and make the physical symptoms unbearable. Sometimes I feel like there is a huge weight on my chest. I would have nausea and stomach pain on a regular basis.
The crazy part is despite feeling all of this internally. I still maintained a certain level of functionality in my daily life.
The stigma surrounding anxiety, especially in the Black community makes it hard to break barriers.
One of the main reasons I decided to share my experiences is because Black women are never allowed to feel their feelings. We are always labeled “angry black women” for being passionate about anything. But what happens when the negative thoughts become too much? Who looks out for the “strong Black woman?” Finally being honest with myself, and getting the proper help I needed is just another step in making sure I’m investing in my healing. I hope sharing my journey will resonate with someone.
Hopefully, we can continue to raise awareness and facilitate discussions about the challenges faced by individuals who experience persistent anxiety. Those of us who may not fit the stereotypical image of someone with an anxiety disorder.
Great article. Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool. Pierrette Stanley Nikolaus