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Anyone living in modern society can agree on one thing: life is stressful. Feelings of worry and anxiety can be a normal part of the human experience. Some people feel anxiety more than others and may even suffer from an actual anxiety disorder that affects important aspects of their everyday life. Others may also experience anxiety but keep it hidden from the outside world.
It’s not always easy to determine who these people are. They often thrive at their jobs and are the first ones there and the last ones to leave. They may appear to be completely put together and in control on the outside. They’ll never miss a deadline, or ask for support on important tasks. They are often dependable as a friend, colleague, parent, and child.
Anxiety disorders are the most commonly diagnosed and experienced mental health issues in the United States. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the United States every year. That works out to 18.1% of the population age 18 and older. Some of the most common anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and specific phobias or fears about certain situations and objects.
It is important to understand that the term “high-functioning anxiety” is not a formal medical diagnosis. It simply refers to when a person has issues with anxiety that are both chronic (long-lasting) and at least partially affect their day-to-day life, even if it’s not readily apparent.
People suffering from high-functioning anxiety tend to keep their struggles hidden, but that often increases inner stress and prevents actual healing from occurring. Even though high-functioning anxiety is not a clinical disorder, treatment has shown to be effective in helping people achieve significant improvement of their condition.
Spotting the signs and symptoms of high-functioning anxiety is not always easy, but understanding what to look out for is the first step in overcoming the issue.
High-functioning anxiety is often used as an umbrella term that covers anyone who struggles with anxiety but appears outwardly successful and well-adjusted in various aspects of life. These people find a way to be successful despite the symptoms of anxiety.
Taking into account that nearly 20% of adults in the United States suffer from some form of anxiety disorder, it’s safe to assume many of these people also consider themselves to be “high-functioning.”
In many people who suffer from an anxiety disorder, their anxiety causes them to be paralyzed or preoccupied with indecision or fear. However, this is not always the case, and people process anxiety differently. People who are considered high-functioning will often be driven to action by their anxiety, appearing organized, productive, and helpful.
People who suffer from high-functioning anxiety may experience many symptoms that are common among formal anxiety disorders, but they may not meet the actual requirements for a formal diagnosis. That said, their quality of life may still be directly impacted by their symptoms.
These people feel tension and stress, but not in ways that are obvious and observable from an outsider’s perspective. Despite their ability to hold down successful careers, attend school, attend to family obligations, and keep their finances in line, these people are experiencing symptoms of anxiety that keep them from reaching their full potential.
Over time, high-functioning anxiety can take a significant physical, emotional, and psychological toll on those it affects. If left unchecked, their anxiety has the potential to develop into more severe and disabling psychological conditions later in life.
In contrast to those with a formal, clinically diagnosed anxiety disorder, a person with high-functioning anxiety typically won’t have the intense physical symptoms that can stand in the way of everyday life. While they may have physical reactions such as sweaty palms, increased heart rate, and/or “butterflies” in the stomach, these symptoms aren’t typically intense enough to affect daily activities or to be noticed by others.
Many people have compared the symptoms of high-functioning anxiety to the formal diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Both conditions involve a vague, ever-present feeling of anxiety, but the high-functioning version of anxiety doesn’t involve the specific triggers, avoidant behaviors, or intense physical reactions that are symptoms of GAD.
People who suffer from high-functioning anxiety are able to push through their anxious feelings and fulfill obligations with their families, friends, and careers. They conquer these feelings despite often having discomfort involving interactions with people, environments, or situations that cause them stress.
There are many physical and behavioral symptoms that are a part of high-functioning anxiety. Some of these symptoms include:
People with high-functioning anxiety often suffer from a lack of self-confidence or self-esteem. They often compensate for feelings of insecurity by constantly pushing themselves to perform better in various aspects of life. They may also constantly push themselves to be a “people-pleaser,” putting the needs of others above their own needs.
The goals people with high-functioning anxiety set for themselves are often unrealistic or impossible. Failure to meet their goals can further reinforce their self-doubts and constant feelings of tension and not being “good enough.”
If a person contacts a mental health professional reporting that stress and anxiety are causing effects that impact their everyday life, the professional will then try to determine if the person meets the requirements for a formal diagnosis of an anxiety disorder. If the person’s issues do not meet the requirements for a formal anxiety disorder, they may be “diagnosed” with high-functioning anxiety.
While this is not a formal diagnosis because high-functioning anxiety is not an officially recognized disorder, high-functioning anxiety still represents an actual mental health condition with a set of symptoms that can affect daily life.
If the person is determined to be suffering from high-functioning anxiety, the mental health professional will work with the patient to figure out the method of treatment that would be most beneficial to them. This typically does not involve anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines, like Xanax.
The most commonly used, and most effective, treatment option for people with high-functioning anxiety is psychotherapy. By talking through their issues, people are able to learn ways to effectively cope with, and overcome, anxiety.
People with high-functioning anxiety have difficulties because of the ways their inner feelings deal with outside people, things, and situations. The roots of anxiety can often be traced back to past adolescent experiences and even personality traits the person has always had.
Some of the most common risk factors for high-functioning anxiety include:
High-functioning anxiety can be a result of one or all of these factors.
While high-functioning anxiety may not be a completely disabling condition, it can make life more difficult and uncomfortable. While it is not a formal medical disorder, living with high-functioning anxiety can eventually start to take a toll on a person’s mental and physical well-being. It is also a condition that can get worse over time.
There are some ways to help cope with living with anxiety. These methods may include:
While some of these treatments for anxiety can provide relief, sometimes it is necessary to seek treatment from compassionate and qualified mental health professionals. SUN Behavioral Delaware understands anxiety issues and the best ways to address them.
At SUN Delaware, our anxiety treatment program uses evidence-based practices proven to be the most effective in treating mood and anxiety disorders.
These include a combination of medication (when needed) with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other strength-based interventions, which focus on the patient’s strengths rather than their weaknesses.
Our anxiety treatment team will work with you to determine which, if any, medication treatments may prove helpful in managing your symptoms. CBT is a leading therapy-based treatment that teaches patients how to identify and achieve their goals and needs.
Cognitive behavioral therapy changes thoughts, feelings, core beliefs, and actions that drive the issues you’re facing. It goes far beyond medication to help you identify the negative thoughts that contribute to anxiety and understand how your responses in certain situations can further your anxiety.
Your specialized team at SUN Behavioral Delaware will teach you strength-based strategies to equip you in neutralizing anxious thoughts. Our program provides these treatments in a trauma-informed care environment with the core principles of safety, trustworthiness, empowerment, collaboration, and choice driving all interactions.
Other components of treatment at SUN Behavioral include:
At SUN Behavioral Delaware, we see hundreds of patients a month and provide a wide range of specialized care, including inpatient and day hospital services, for those suffering from mental health and substance use disorders.
It’s important to remember there is no single cure for the complex emotional issues at the heart of mood and anxiety disorders, but we can help identify and resolve the often longstanding psychological issues they can affect. SUN offers you a hopeful path to an improved quality of life.
If you or someone you love is struggling, we can help. At SUN Behavioral, we’ve created a caring, healing environment and will be there for every step of your journey to recovery. Call us at (302) 205-0435 to learn more.
The term “high-functioning anxiety” is not a formal medical diagnosis. It simply refers to when a person has issues with anxiety that are both chronic (long-lasting) and at least partially affect their day-to-day life, even if it’s not readily apparent.
There is no easy “cure” for high-functioning anxiety, but there are different skills you can learn, with the help of mental health professionals, that can help you cope with and overcome its symptoms.
By seeking help from a mental health professional, you can determine whether you may be suffering from a formal anxiety disorder or high-functioning anxiety. High-functioning anxiety may share some symptoms with formal disorders, but not always.
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