High-functioning anxiety doesn’t feel high-functioning

About 6.8 million U.S. adults have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, while more are likely living with an undiagnosed anxiety disorder. 

This subset of undiagnosed anxiety disorder is called, high-functioning anxiety. Those with high-functioning anxiety struggle with anxiety symptoms while maintaining their careers, relationships, and other roles. Despite their long term success, feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt persist, making the individual feel insecure in their success. 

The fear of slowing down

For any number of reasons, a person with high-functioning anxiety might believe they are masking their incompetence. A person with high-functioning anxiety might internalize the belief that if they slow down, they will fail. 

Chronic high-functioning anxiety can look like: 

• Feeling off-balance or lightheaded

• Sleep disturbances

• Restless energy

High-functioning anxiety might also tie into “Imposter Syndrome,” which is a psychological pattern of self-doubt or feelings of intellectual/professional fraudulence. These individuals may work excessive hours and/or workload, and as a result, experience burnout. 

Managing high-functioning anxiety

Psychotherapies such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) can help a person with high-functioning anxiety reframe their life. By gaining insight into behaviors feeding into anxiety, one could gain a healthier work-life balance. 

Embracing one’s high-functioning anxiety can minimize its role. By recognizing the role anxiety plays in your life, an individual with high-functioning anxiety may find security in knowing, My body and mind react to stress this way, and I can deal with it.