People have been experiencing mental health disorders for the longest time. Still, it is only in recent times when it stopped being taboo to talk about it, as awareness of it is only beginning to grow and be accepted by the vast population!
Unfortunately, high-functioning anxiety isn’t considered a mental health problem per se, despite its evident symptoms. Instead, it’s more recognized as a term that talks about certain people who deal with anxiety, but are known for functioning normally in various parts of their daily life.
For those experiencing the same situation, there’s a high chance that the anxiety you’re feeling drives you to continue doing things rather than keep you from attaining your goals. Although you may seem fine and well-put together on the outside, how you feel inside is a different story!
Keep reading below to learn more about your situation as someone with high-functioning anxiety.
Understanding High-Functioning Anxiety from Afar
Like all people dealing with mental health problems and trying to compose themselves every time they deal with the public, those with high-functioning anxiety usually seem fine at first glance. In fact, they excel in most of the things they do concerning their work and responsibilities!
You appear determined, disciplined, and driven to do well in all your endeavors, especially your professional career, social life, and personal life. However, beneath all that, you can’t deny that you’re still experiencing anxiety despite the success in your life.
High-functioning anxiety comes in the form of constant nervousness and worry, the fear of failing, and being scared about disappointing not only the people around you, but also yourself. Since you want to appear normal to others, you hold yourself back from sharing what’s really going through your head most of the time with others!
Characteristics of Someone with High-Functioning Anxiety
Positive Traits
Despite your case, you continue to pursue the plans you lay out before you to have a successful and comfortable life. Thus, you reap what you sow and feel glad every time people recognize your achievements, so you keep going even though you aren’t exactly okay deep inside.
When you focus on your accomplishments, you maintain a positive outlook and come off as outgoing, punctual, and proactive. You control the organization in your life, become better than the challenges you face, and learn to focus on details.
You want to make sure that the things you manage remain clean, tidy, and in perfect order. A person with high-functioning anxiety is often active, ready to help others, passionate about what they do, and remains calm and composed.
Negative Traits
Unfortunately, if you’re experiencing anxiety, then you know that it can’t always be a good day. Although people admire you for your positive characteristics, sometimes, you can’t help but let your negative emotions get the best of you!You often experience a significant amount of stress that you keep to yourself without wanting to bother the people around you. Due to your desire to keep things in perfect condition, you end up pleasing others too much, have a habit of talking a lot, and develop nervous habits and ticks.
Moreover, you do things repeatedly as a distraction from the overwhelming emotions you’re feeling. You overthink, lose track of time, and are always on the lookout for reassurance. Before you know it, you’ve begun to procrastinate, have a difficult time sleeping at night, worry about the future, and start to feel mentally and physically tired!
Conclusion
When dealing with mental health, trauma, and bad experiences, you really can’t judge a person from the outside because you don’t know about the battles they’re facing on their own. While they may seem perfectly fine outside, there’s a huge possibility that it can be a different story when they’re alone and not surrounded by people!
High-functioning anxiety is real and should not be taken lightly just because it isn’t recognized as a mental health issue. People experiencing it may seem like they don’t have a problem, but it’s too soon to come to conclusions. It’s essential to be kind to everyone you meet and learn to seek professional help, such as therapy, when everything becomes too much for you to handle things on your own.
Are you looking for mental health treatments that help deal with high-functioning anxiety? Dr. Stephanie Lyn Coleman offers Ketamine treatment and holistic health solutions in Los Angeles, California. Get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation!