Signs & Symptoms of High Functioning Anxiety
The vast majority of people will likely never be able to tell you’re struggling with anxiety when you’re the first to arrive in the office, the last to leave, have never missed a deadline, and do so while being impeccably put together and prepared.
Anxiety disorders affect almost 20% of adults in the U.S., and while anxiety is known to paralyze its sufferers with fear, it can also have the opposite effect–driving you into constantly overthinking, overachieving, and overdoing.
How can you spot the signs and symptoms of “high-functioning” anxiety, and how can integrative medicine help you treat anxiety disorders? Keep reading to find out.
What is High-Functioning Anxiety?
High-functioning anxiety has evolved as an umbrella term for those who struggle with anxiety, but appear reasonably well-adjusted and successful in various areas of their life–despite their symptoms.
Almost 20% of adults in the U.S. have some kind of anxiety disorder, and at least a portion of those adults consider themselves “high-functioning” (1).
This type of anxiety often drives an individual to action, instead of feeling paralyzed by indecision or fear. The person with high-functioning anxiety often appears incredibly organized, productive, and is always quick to help coworkers and friends.
Is High-Functioning Anxiety Real?
Though high-functioning anxiety isn’t an official diagnosis, but rather a term used to include people who seem well-balanced in life, but struggle with the inner turmoil of anxiety.
High-functioning mental illness carries even more stigma
Because mental health issues aren’t often visible on the outside, friends, family, and coworkers likely doubt anything is wrong at all if that person is still working, leaving their house, and making money.
But what they don’t see is the mental struggle going on behind the scenes, and because of this, may be less likely to offer support and have patience when everything “looks” fine.
Integrative medicine seeks to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness and anxiety by treating the body and mind as a whole.
Related: Integrative Therapies for Depression & Anxiety
Signs & Symptoms of High-Functioning Anxiety
Signs and symptoms of anxiety aren’t always easy to recognize, as is the case with a majority of mental health problems.
Someone with high-functioning anxiety might look like the epitome of success to their peers–always organized, presentable, and prepared.
Coworkers may say this person is productive at work, and is always on time, and quick to offer help and volunteer to take on tasks. Outside of work, friends and family notice a busy social calendar with plenty of leisure activities and commitments.
What many people don’t see is that their success is driven by a crippling fear of failure and self-doubt. Or that the ability to always have work done on time was preceded by weeks or procrastination followed by intense last-minute work.
Or that the drive to please people makes it almost impossible to say no, making this person swamped with work and social commitments.
Someone experiencing high-functioning anxiety is in a constant battle with racing thoughts, overthinking, and fear.
Quick Reference
Someone with high-functioning anxiety may be:
- High-achieving… and have a fear of failure.
- Proactive…and doubt their abilities.
- A perfectionist…and be fearful of criticism with even the smallest mistake.
- Active…because they don’t know how to switch off for fear of being “lazy”.
- Calm…but have racing thoughts.
- Meeting deadlines…but is also exhausted, chronically fatigued.
- Organized…and afraid to disappoint others.
- Hardworking…and procrastinate when stressed.
- Productive…and overthink everything.
- Agreeable…because they can’t say no.
Origins of High-Functioning Anxiety
The fourth trauma response
Most people are familiar with the phrase “fight, flight, or freeze,” as a response to trauma, but there’s a fourth trauma response that’s lesser known, but is a hallmark of high-functioning anxiety.
The ‘fawn’ response, often developed in childhood, involves immediately acting to try to please someone in the interest of avoiding conflict. Choosing a fawn-like response allows someone to preemptively appease those around them by agreeing. They’re likely to ignore personal feelings or desires in an effort to please people.
Over time, this fawn response becomes a pattern, and individuals can have trouble setting boundaries and develop anxiety in professional and personal interactions (2).
High Functioning Anxiety Leads to Burnout
Burnout is a significant issue as we all feel the social, technological, and economic pressure that causes overwork and exhaustion. Sometimes individual psychological patterns play a role, too.
People with high functioning anxiety can appear hardworking, helpful, and organized, but on the inside there is a deep fear of failure, disappointing others, and judgement–and it can lead to burnout.
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet the demands of your life.
A high functioning anxiety person arrives at burnout by (3):
- Rumination and excessive worrying – “What if” thoughts can ruin attempts to relax and prevent a separation between work and home life.
- Constant need for reassurance – Doubting your abilities can make it harder to feel positive, motivated and satisfied with life.
- People pleasing – An inability to say no can lead to an overwhelming workload and a lack of control over your schedule.
- Perfectionism – Constantly wanting to prove yourself can lead you to do more than necessary–and more than is healthy.
Are you headed for burnout? Read more here.
Treating High-Functioning Anxiety
Conventional medicine commonly treats anxiety disorders with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and techniques like mindfulness training.
An integrative medicine approach also addresses factors that impact your mind and body, such as genetics, nutrient deficiencies, hormones, and gut issues.
Manage Anxiety with Integrative Medicine
Therapy and medication are tools, but it’s equally important to look at what you are consuming and how you’re taking care of your body (and mind), and everything else around you.
To evaluate the root cause of your anxiety, your integrative medicine doctor may recommend:
- Food sensitivity testing
- Hormone evaluation
- Nutrient deficiency tests
Don’t wait until your next panic attack–get to the root cause of your anxiety issues today. Making an appointment with a provider is simple and easy.
While a visit with your doctor is recommended to help you manage anxiety, there are simple methods you can begin at home, like:
- Practicing meditation, or begin your day with positive affirmations.
- Stick to a routine – Wake up and go to bed at roughly the same time each day.
- Get regular exercise.
- Limit caffeine intake.
- Follow a brain-healthy diet.
- Reduce sugar.
- Don’t drink to excess.
- Manage stress by making time for leisure activities or intentional relaxation
Since mood disorders often begin in the gut, it’s beneficial to optimize your nutrition, and make sure to increase intake of mood supportive vitamins and minerals, such as:
- Magnesium
- B6
- Vitamin D
Supplements to promote calm and relaxation:
- L-theanine
- Rhodiola
- Bacopa
- GABA
Find these, and more more mood-boosting supplements, in the CentreSpringMD shop.
Integrative Medicine to Treat Anxiety
When treating anxiety, a holistic approach is always better. Using integrative medicine to treat anxiety will improve the physical–as well as mental and emotional–factors that affect the health of your mind and body.
What you eat, how you sleep, nutrient deficiencies, and genetic factors all work in tandem to impact the health of your brain and levels of anxiety. Integrative medicine can help you manage your anxiety symptoms so you can lead a full, successful, and happy life.
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