High-Functioning Anxiety: What Is It and How Can It Affect Your Life?

November 23, 2022

Anxiety can show its face in our lives in many ways. For some this disorder comes in the form of what's been called High-Functioning Anxiety.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, High-Functioning Anxiety "describes an individual who, despite feeling anxious, seems able to effectively manage the demands of day-to-day life."

The main problem for professionals trying to diagnose this disorder is that "functioning" means different things to different people. That's why this anxiety disorder is not recognized yet.

The South African College of Applied Psychology states that "even though high-functioning anxiety is not a recognized diagnosis it is real and should be taken seriously" as it can have a negative impact on our health and our interpersonal relationships.

High-Functioning Anxiety differs from General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in the way a person reacts to anxiety. In the case of our "fight or flight response" about anxiety, GAD leans towards a flight response, but High Functioning Anxiety tends to make people fight, and that's why those with this disorder can be considered overachievers, a perception that doesn't really acknowledge their struggles behind closed doors.

Among the many traits for High-Functioning Anxiety we may find:

• Proactivity
• High achievement
• Detail-oriented skills
• Outgoing personality
• High organization

Since someone with High-Functioning Anxiety seems to have their life sorted (because they perform well at school or work, maintain personal and/or professional relationships and balance their work/home life), that's why it can be difficult for them to ask for help as it can be considered a sign of weakness.

However, High-Functioning Anxiety can lead to other mental health issues like Depression. Although there is no "right" answer about when to ask for help, those with High-Functioning Anxiety should not be afraid to do so.

One of the first steps in a recovery process is accepting one's problem. If you consider you may be experiencing High-Functioning Anxiety, be very aware of the following signs of unhealthy mental behavior:

• Sleep problems
• Loss of appetite
• Lack of concentration
• Nervous habits (biting your lip or chewing nails)
• Procrastination
• Limited social life
• Inability to relax and enjoy the moment

Although it isn't always easy to look for professional help, you can find the best therapy for you in order to reduce your anxiety.

Whenever you're feeling anxious, take three deep breaths, reset your mindset to a positive one. On a larger scale, your best bets to counter anxiety are a healthy balanced diet and exercise regularly.

You can take care of your mental health with the aid of our supplements, like Clearskies, a natural blend that helps you increase your focus and relieve your anxiety symptoms and mental fatigue.

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