6 Signs of High Functioning Anxiety

It’s called high functioning anxiety. People dealing with it might seem like they have it all together on the outside, but on the inside, they’re filled with worry and stress that’s hard to quiet down. In this article, we explore the six common signs that could indicate high functioning anxiety. Understanding these signs can help people spot the issue and get the help they might need.

What is High Functioning Anxiety?

High functioning anxiety is a term used to describe a subtype of anxiety where individuals experience significant anxiety and worry but continue to function relatively well in their daily lives. People living with this condition may appear successful, organised, and capable on the outside, but internally they struggle with persistent feelings of anxiety and stress.

Some key characteristics of people who live with high functioning anxiety include appearing proactive, organised, punctual, active, orderly, tidy, helpful, passionate, and often outgoing. Individuals with high-functioning anxiety often seem composed and in control, even when experiencing intense anxiety internally. They may excel in their careers, maintain social relationships, and fulfil responsibilities without showing obvious signs of distress. This ability to appear free from anxiety on the outside can make it challenging for others to recognise their internal struggles.

People with high-functioning anxiety also tend to be self-critical and strive for perfection. They set high standards for themselves and fear making mistakes or disappointing others. This drive to meet expectations can be a source of motivation but also a significant source of anxiety.

It’s important to note that high-functioning anxiety is not a formally recognised diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Instead, it is more of a descriptive term used to highlight a specific presentation of anxiety symptoms. While individuals with high-functioning anxiety may excel in many areas of life, their internal struggles and emotional distress are still valid and can significantly impact their well being.

6 Common Signs of High Functioning Anxiety to Look For

The truth is, there are many signs that could signal someone is living with high functioning anxiety. However, there are some indicators that are more common than others.

Overthinking and Worrying

Individuals with high-functioning anxiety tend to experience an incessant cycle of overthinking and excessive worrying, which can have a significant impact on their daily lives. This could also be described as catastrophising, where you believe that you’re in a worse situation than you really are, or your difficulties feel exaggerated.

When it comes to overthinking, these individuals have an active and busy mind that constantly analyses past events, present situations, and potential future outcomes. They often replay conversations and situations in their heads, looking for signs of failure or mistakes, anticipating negative outcomes, and overpreparing, which can lead to an increased sense of self-doubt and negativity.

People with high-functioning anxiety also tend to worry excessively about various aspects of their lives, including work, relationships, health, and social interactions. They may be preoccupied with the idea of making mistakes, letting others down, or not meeting their own or others’ expectations. This constant state of worry can be emotionally draining and negatively impact their overall well being.

Need for Control

People with high functioning anxiety often experience a strong need for control as a coping mechanism for their anxiety. The need for control is often a way for these individuals to manage their anxiety and reduce uncertainty in their lives. They may feel a constant pressure to be in control of situations, outcomes, and their own emotions to minimise the potential for anxiety triggers.

The need for control is a coping mechanism, but it can be exhausting and may perpetuate the cycle of anxiety. Seeking control in every situation is not always feasible, and it can lead to increased stress and frustration when things don’t go as planned.

Striving for Perfection

Addressing the tendency of individuals with high functioning anxiety to strive for perfection in all areas of life requires understanding the nature of high functioning anxiety and adopting strategies to manage it in a healthy way. Due to their often high expectations, making small mistakes can feel like a major or catastrophic event. This can cause people who experience high functioning anxiety to avoid taking risks and become withdrawn or lonely.

The fear of failure can be linked to striving for perfection as it arises from the anticipation of not meeting one’s own or others’ expectations and experiencing negative consequences as a result. Self-imposed high standards can be a product of personal ambition, a desire for excellence, or an attempt to live up to perceived expectations. While having high standards can be motivating, when taken to extremes, it can create undue pressure and stress. Whereas external pressure can stem from societal expectations, cultural norms, family pressures, and workplace demands that can impose external expectations on individuals. These standards can be unrealistic or conflicting, adding to the pressure to succeed.

Overcommitting and Overachieving

Striving for perfection can also lead to overcommitting, where they take on more responsibilities than what they can handle. Seeking validation and approval from others is common among individuals with high functioning anxiety. By taking on numerous responsibilities, they hope to gain recognition and praise from others, reinforcing their belief that they are capable and successful.

The drive to excel with high-functioning anxiety can be described as a strong internal motivation to achieve and succeed despite experiencing anxiety-related challenges. High-functioning anxiety often comes with a persistent need to prove oneself, which constantly urges individuals to perform better and achieve more. This critical voice may lead them to believe that their self-worth is tied to their achievements. People with this condition often don’t seek help for this reason, as even with the internal battle they face on a daily basis, they may still succeed and perform well at school or in the workplace.

Restlessness

Restlessness, in the context of anxiety, often refers to an inability to relax, quiet the mind, or feel at peace.

This may look like an incessant need to stay busy, to be productive, or to be constantly moving. It’s not uncommon for individuals with high functioning anxiety to feel like they’re always “on edge”. And even in periods of relaxation or engaging in activities they enjoy, someone with high functioning anxiety might find it hard to enjoy, or even just stay in the moment. They may find themselves worrying about future tasks or ruminating about past events. In other words, the mind is always “on,” making it difficult to take breaks or rest, even when there’s no immediate threat or task to attend to.

This feeling of restlessness and anxiety can lead to social withdrawal. People with high functioning anxiety may feel an increased fear of social judgment or rejection. They may also feel overwhelmed by social situations, which can add to their anxiety levels. As a result, they might start avoiding social gatherings, preferring to isolate themselves to manage their anxious feelings.

Physical Symptoms of High Functioning Anxiety

The physical symptoms experienced by individuals with high functioning anxiety can be diverse and may vary from person to person. Here are some common physical symptoms often associated with high-functioning anxiety:

• Persistent muscle tension: Individuals with high-functioning anxiety may experience tightness in their muscles, especially in the neck, shoulders, and back.
• Headaches: Anxiety can contribute to headaches or migraines in some individuals. The stress and tension built up in the body may trigger headaches, and in some cases, it can lead to frequent or chronic headaches.
• Fatigue: The constant state of heightened anxiety can be emotionally and physically draining, leading to feelings of fatigue and exhaustion.

Find Help Today

If you or someone you know are experiencing high anxiety symptoms, it is advisable to consult a professional for a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate support.

The good news is that there are many treatment options for high functioning anxiety disorder, including therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and coping strategies to manage stress and anxiety effectively. At Nova Recovery, we provide comprehensive treatment programmes for a broad range of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders. Please reach out today, and our friendly and understanding team will discuss our available programme options.

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John Gillen - Author - Last updated: September 8, 2023

John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.