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On the outside, everyone thinks you’re doing great. And to most people, you are. You get things done. You’re always on time (even early), on-task, and ahead of the game. But on the inside, you’re drowning, driven by anxiety and the fear of failure. How do I know this? Because I’ve lived in this space for many decades. And I wonder: Can you relate?
What Is High-Functioning Anxiety?
Like other high-functioning diagnoses, high-functioning anxiety is used to describe those who appear successful, organized, and calm on the outside. They’re your perfect teachers, businessmen, and lawyers. But on the inside, they’re riddled by chronic and overwhelming worry, fear, and perfectionism. These individuals have a higher risk of burnout due to their high work drive and productivity.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “High-functioning anxiety is not recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Instead, it usually is diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder.” As someone who has generalized anxiety disorder and isn’t currently a therapist, I can attest that this definition is true.
“High functioning anxiety” is often missed or seen as less serious than other forms of anxiety because individuals are still able to function. Especially in Christian and high-achieving spaces, the more we can do and carry the better, right?
Unfortunately, when high functioning anxiety continues to be overlooked, but is majorly experienced, those who are suffering are minimized. They may even think their issues aren’t worth getting help for because it doesn’t impact their daily actions to the point of helplessness that other conditions often do. The sad reality is that just because we suffer differently doesn’t mean it’s not important. In fact, those who develop high-functioning anxiety run a higher risk of developing chronic fatigue, burnout, irritability, and physical symptoms (SummitSone Health Partners).
Here are 7 signs you might be struggling with high-functioning anxiety from someone who personally experiences it:
- You overthink everything. There are no small decisions. This might sound like a gift. To care so deeply about things that you overthink and make sure your words are precise. I reassure you, it’s not fun to rehearse texts, emails, and words you’ve said over and over again after you’ve said them.
- You feel guilty when you rest. Though rest is good for all of us, it seems to be the enemy of the high-functioning sufferer. Why? Because resting means we pause. We stop. We stop striving. We have to relent to cease, and that’s a challenge.
- You rely on productivity for peace. Although it’s useful to be productive, being addicted to productivity produces temporary peace that fades as soon as one task is complete and another appears. Don’t believe me? When I was in college, I was never “ahead enough.” I would complete assignments months in advance, but it was never enough. Because when anxiety is in the driver’s seat, she never takes “no” for an answer, and “good” or “finished” is never enough.
- You struggle to say no. While I’ve gotten better with this over the years, we anxious people tend to also be people-pleasers. We don’t mean to be, but what if’s fill our minds. What if the things we say no to could change our lives? What if we miss something important? The list goes on indefinitely.
- You appear calm but feel internally rushed. Again, though anxious people can appear calm, internally, you’re a chicken with your head cut off. As a former teacher, I felt like this all day. Multi-tasking was my best friend, but it also ate me alive.
- You replay conversations constantly. Similar to overthinking everything, replaying conversations is a real struggle. Maybe you replay what they said and how you responded, or what you wished you’d said differently. But no matter how much you replay it, the worse you feel.
- Your faith sometimes feels like pressure. Sadly, many of us who struggle with anxiety feel like faith can be part of that anxiety. Not because we don’t love God, but because we feel the pressure to perform. To have it all together. The good news is, Jesus doesn’t ask us to feel this way. We can come as we are. Baggage and all.