Remember when we were all wearing masks during the pandemic? Even though we’re beyond that, there are some highly successful people wearing an invisible mask known as high-functioning anxiety. Here are signs you may have high-functioning anxiety.
What the World Sees
Someone who has high-functioning anxiety appears confident, driven, highly successful, and at peace with the world. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The world sees someone who is:
- A high achiever
- Organized and detailed
- Outgoing and pleasant
- Always calm and collected
- Proactive
- Successful
What that person feels “under the mask” is quite different.
Forty million Americans have an anxiety disorder. Most of those live with a “fight or flight” reaction when anxiety occurs. Mental health professionals like board-certified psychiatrist Soroya Bacchus, M.D. believe a person with high-functioning anxiety has a different reaction to anxiety or fear. Instead, they “fight” or go into combat mode to defeat the anxiety. They push on harder.
We all can relate to that on some level, and there are certainly positives to this behavior, but there are some serious negatives as well. Depression is an outgrowth of hidden anxiety. Alcohol or substance abuse seems to follow.
Some Causes of This Kind of Anxiety
A person with high-functioning anxiety may have one or more people in their family who react the same way to their anxiety disorder. This person may have had some stressful and negative life events, or it could be caused by a medical condition with their thyroid.
There aren’t studies, much information, or a diagnosis of this kind of anxiety disorder. There seems to be a link to depression. High-functioning anxiety can lead to depression and vice versa. The person may not seek help until they have trouble sleeping, trouble getting out of bed in the morning, or losing interest in things they enjoy.
The Hardest Part
Removing the mask and asking for help is the hardest thing a person with high-functioning anxiety can do. They are admitting they aren’t perfect: the perfect worker, spouse, parent, sibling, or friend. They constantly worry about falling short of expectations and are always second guessing themselves.
Maybe it’s time to let go of those fears and to ask for help. There are medications and therapies to help you conquer this anxiety and live a more balanced life.
Contact Psychiatry Unplugged at (844) 616-1616 for help if you fit this picture of high-functioning anxiety. You can also request an appointment in Los Angeles or Glendale through our secure online form.
