Curious about is what is high functioning anxiety. It’s the most disturbing kind of anxiety. But, why?
Unlike generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which can make daily life very hard, people with high functioning anxiety seem to be doing fine on the outside. But underneath, they are dealing with constant worry, stress, and self-doubt.
This type of anxiety is often masked by traits like perfectionism, a strong drive to succeed, or being labeled a “worrier.”
While they may excel in work or school, it often comes at a personal cost, leading to mental exhaustion, burnout, and reduced quality of life.
Why is High Functioning Anxiety Often Overlooked?
According to the Mayo Clinic, high functioning or masked anxiety is frequently ignored because individuals meet their responsibilities and appear capable.
However, the internal struggle can harm both mental and physical health, leading to fatigue, emotional burnout, and a diminished sense of well-being if left unaddressed.
How is High Functioning Anxiety Different from GAD?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):
- A recognized mental health condition.
- Causes constant, intense worry about everyday issues like work, health, or relationships.
- Often comes with physical symptoms such as fatigue, restlessness, muscle tension, or difficulty concentrating.
- Typically requires medical treatment as it can severely impair daily life.
High Functioning Anxiety:
- Not a formal medical diagnosis but a behavioral pattern.
- Causes persistent worry and perfectionism but motivates individuals to overachieve rather than paralyze them.
- Symptoms, such as racing thoughts or insomnia, are less visible and often mistaken for personality traits like being detail-oriented.
- Though less disruptive than GAD, it can still take a significant toll if unaddressed.
Why is High Functioning Anxiety So Common?
Experts point to factors like the fast-paced nature of modern life, societal pressures, and lingering stigma around mental health. Many people with high-functioning anxiety don’t recognize their symptoms, assuming it’s normal to feel constantly stressed while pushing through without seeking help.
The Impact of High Functioning Anxiety
Even though people with high-functioning anxiety may seem calm and successful, the constant internal worry and overthinking can lead to serious consequences, including:
- Chronic stress and fatigue.
- Insomnia and racing thoughts.
- Difficulty enjoying life or relaxing.
Did you know that over 40 million adults in the U.S. experience anxiety every year? However only a fraction of these individuals seek treatment, even though anxiety disorders are highly treatable.
Ignoring these symptoms can lead to long-term issues, but with the right help, individuals can learn effective ways to manage anxiety and improve their quality of life.
Good Read: Top 5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Anxiety Treatment Centers
If you or someone you know struggles with anxiety, whether high-functioning or GAD, consulting a mental health professional can provide guidance and support.
How Do I Tell if I Have High Functioning Anxiety?
How do people with high functioning anxiety act? Aside from taking a high functioning anxiety test or undergoing a psychiatric evaluation, there are certain signs you can look out for.
1. Constant Worry
High functioning anxiety often starts with constant worry. People with this condition tend to overthink everything—from work and relationships to small, everyday tasks.
Their minds are always racing, imagining worst-case scenarios and stressing over “what ifs.” These worries are often not based on reality but rather on a fear of things going wrong, even when the chances are slim.
2. Overthinking Everyday Decisions
This worry leads to overthinking. Someone with high functioning anxiety might spend hours analyzing decisions that others might make in seconds. Whether it’s doubting their abilities or replaying conversations in their heads, they feel stuck in an endless loop. Even small choices, like what to wear or say, can feel overwhelming. This cycle makes it hard to stay focused on the present.
2. Perfectionism and Self-Criticism
People with high-functioning anxiety often set unrealistically high expectations for themselves. They strive for perfection in everything they do but rarely feel satisfied, no matter how much they achieve.
This perfectionism often leads to harsh self-criticism, including thoughts like, “I should have done better” or “This isn’t good enough.” Praise from others usually doesn’t change these feelings of inadequacy.
Over time, this cycle of perfectionism and self-doubt can cause impostor syndrome. Despite clear evidence of their skills, they may believe their achievements are due to luck or external factors, not their abilities. This fear of being exposed as a fraud increases anxiety and self-criticism.
Even small mistakes, or perceived mistakes, can feel overwhelming. They may fixate on minor details, spend excessive time revising work, or delay tasks out of fear they won’t be perfect. This constant pressure to excel often worsens their anxiety over time.
These behaviors are often rooted in deep beliefs about self-worth and identity. Learning to accept imperfections and prioritize progress over perfection can help break this cycle and reduce anxiety.
3. Procrastination and Avoidance
Perfectionism and anxiety often lead to procrastination and avoidance. When you feel like everything needs to be perfect, it’s easy to put off tasks because starting feels overwhelming.
For example, someone might delay a project until the last minute, spending hours worrying instead of taking action. This type of procrastination can create a domino effect with deadlines getting closer, stress builds, and the fear of failure grows even stronger.
Avoidance is another common response to anxiety. People might actively avoid situations, tasks, or even people that make them uncomfortable. For example, they might skip social events, postpone difficult conversations, or avoid responsibilities altogether.
While these behaviors might reduce anxiety temporarily, they usually make things worse in the long run. Tasks pile up, relationships can suffer, and the underlying anxiety remains unaddressed. The fear of not doing something “right” can stop people from trying at all, creating a cycle that’s hard to escape.
But breaking this pattern is possible.
Small, manageable steps can help reduce the overwhelm, and learning to focus on the process rather than the result can shift the mindset from fear to progress.
4. Physical Symptoms of High functioning Anxiety
High functioning anxiety can also show up as physical discomfort that can interfere with daily life.
Imagine feeling a constant tightness in your muscles, which could lead to headaches, neck pain, or jaw clenching. This tension doesn’t just go away—it sticks around, draining energy and causing ongoing fatigue.
Even when sleeping, anxiety shows up, leading to panic attacks at night. Racing thoughts can make it tough to fall asleep or stay asleep, leaving you tired and worn out the next day. Over time, this lack of rest can affect your focus, mood, and overall health.
Your stomach might also feel the impact. Anxiety and stress are closely linked to gut health, which can lead to queasy feelings, stomach pain, or even irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These physical symptoms often add to the mental strain, creating a cycle that’s hard to break.
In some cases, people may also experience dizziness, trembling, or heart palpitations, often indicative of silent panic attacks. These sensations can be deeply unsettling, making it challenging to focus or fully engage in the present moment.
5. The Challenge of Relaxing
For people living with silent anxiety, relaxing can feel like an impossible task. Even during activities meant to be calming—like reading a book, watching a movie, or spending time with friends—they may find their mind racing with worries or to-do lists. This constant state of alertness, known as hyper-vigilance, keeps their body and mind on edge.
For example, someone might go on a vacation, hoping to unwind, but instead feel restless and unable to enjoy the experience. At night, they might struggle to fall asleep despite feeling exhausted, their mind buzzing with what-ifs and unresolved concerns.
This inability to relax can have long-term effects. When the body remains in “stress mode” for too long, it can lead to burnout, frequent headaches, muscle pain, and even chronic exhaustion. Over time, this constant tension leaves little room for joy or spontaneity, making life feel more like a series of tasks than something to savor.
6. Social Anxiety, Withdrawal, and Exhaustion
High-functioning anxiety can make social interactions feel overwhelming. People may worry about being judged, saying the wrong thing, or feeling self-conscious, which can lead to physical symptoms like sweating, shaking, or a racing heart—even in casual conversations or small gatherings.
As a result, many avoid social events altogether. For instance, someone might skip a work happy hour or decline a friend’s dinner invitation. This is not because they don’t want to go, but because their anxiety makes it feel too stressful. Over time, this avoidance can lead to withdrawal and isolation, straining relationships and support systems.
For some, social exhaustion adds another layer of difficulty. This is especially true for individuals with ADHD, who may find social interactions mentally and emotionally draining. Efforts to stay focused, manage impulsivity, and navigate conversations can leave them completely depleted. The combination of anxiety and social exhaustion often makes even the idea of engaging with others feel overwhelming.
Breaking this pattern starts with acceptance. Working with a therapist can help individuals develop strategies to manage anxiety, reduce social exhaustion, and rebuild meaningful connections.
Approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy can gradually improve comfort in social settings and address the unique challenges of ADHD.
7. Substance Use or Addictive Behaviors
When anxiety feels constant, it’s easy to lean on unhealthy habits to cope. Maybe it’s having “just one drink” after work to relax, but that one drink slowly turns into two or three. Or perhaps it’s working late every night to stay busy and keep your mind off things. These might feel like quick fixes, but they don’t actually solve the problem—and sometimes, they make it worse.
Even things that seem positive, like exercising or staying productive, can become harmful if they’re used to avoid dealing with anxiety. Drinking too much can lead to dependency, and overworking or over-exercising might wear you down physically or emotionally.
This is why exactly understanding high functioning anxiety is so important. Much like functional depression is masking its danger. If you or someone you know relies on substances or unhealthy behaviors to cope with anxiety, it’s essential to explore healthier, more sustainable options.
Practices like mindfulness, therapy, or joining a support group can provide effective, lasting tools for managing stress.
Remember, confronting anxiety and depression directly offers long-term relief far greater than any temporary fix ever could.
How to Treat High Functioning Anxiety
So, how do we treat high functioning anxiety? Do we really need to treat it?
As mental health experts, our recommendation is an outstanding YES. Why? While it may not disrupt your daily life as severely as other forms of anxiety, it can still take a toll on your mental and physical health over time.
Treatment starts with recognizing the symptoms and acknowledging that it’s okay to seek help.
A proper diagnosis from a qualified mental health professional is essential to understanding the root causes. From there, treatment options like therapy, stress management techniques, and, in some cases, medication can be tailored to your specific needs. Taking action is the first step toward a healthier, more balanced life.
What to Expert During Anxiety Treatment
Treatment often involves therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps reframe negative thought patterns, and in some cases, medication may be recommended. Lifestyle changes, like mindfulness and relaxation practices, regular exercise, and setting healthy boundaries, can also play a crucial role in managing symptoms.
By learning more about high functioning anxiety, talking about it openly, and supporting those struggling, we can break down the stigma surrounding mental health.
Whether you’re in Florida or any other community, fostering understanding and encouraging people to seek proper help can create safe, supportive spaces for everyone to thrive.
Remember, mental health matters just as much as physical health.
High Functioning Anxiety Resources
It’s important to know that anxiety doesn’t always look the same. While some people experience high functioning anxiety, others may face low-functioning anxiety, where daily tasks like getting out of bed or going to work feel overwhelming.
Both forms of anxiety deserve attention and support and highlight the importance of a proper psychiatric evaluation or even taking a high functioning anxiety test to better understand what you’re experiencing.
In Orlando and across Florida, resources are available to guide you toward recovery:
- Empathy Health Clinic: A trusted source for mental health support, offering compassionate care and evidence-based therapy for anxiety and other mental health concerns. Our blog provides valuable insights and resources to support your journey.
- Florida Department of Children and Families: A statewide resource connecting you with mental health providers and programs tailored to your needs.
Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a brave and important step toward healing.
A mental health professional can assess your symptoms and help identify if you’re facing a mental health condition. From there, they can work with you to create a plan that fits your needs. Whether you start with a self-assessment or a thorough psychiatric evaluation at Empathy Health Clinic.
Remember, with the right support, it’s possible to regain balance, reduce anxiety, and live a more fulfilling life.
