It can be difficult to spot high-functioning anxiety.
From the outside, a person with high-functioning anxiety may appear driven, hardworking, and perfection-seeking.
High-functioning anxiety can have a negative impact on work, relationships, and someone’s overall mental health.
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There are many ways to treat the condition, however, ranging from therapy and exercise to medication.
Only about 43.2% of people with GAD receive treatment.
This can be difficult to discern since “functional” is subjective.
Difficulty in living with high-functioning anxiety isn’t always obvious, even to the person experiencing it.
Whats the Baseline?
This doesn’t mean that they are not struggling or that their quality of life is not impacted.
It means that they are functioning well enoughat least outwardlynot to meet the criteria of having an anxiety disorder.
Some professionals feel that high-functioning anxiety should be classified as mild anxiety instead.
Unofficial Definitions
Despite its lack of an official diagnosis, high-functioning anxiety is a very real condition.
High-functioning anxiety is most likened to GAD because of its ambiguous but omnipresent nature.
Unlike GAD and other anxiety disorders, high-functioning anxiety does not cause such intense physical symptoms.
Default Diagnosis
High-functioning anxiety is a “default diagnosis.”
Those with high-functioning anxiety often overwork, push themselves too hard, and generally overwork.
They tend to be people pleasers and may have trouble sleeping or relaxing.
While there are positive effects of it, high-functioning anxiety can have a significant negative impact as well.
Effect on Mental Health
People with high-functioning anxiety feel consistent even constantdiscomfort and regularly feel unsettled.
This feeling is so omnipresent that people with high-functioning anxiety consider it part of their daily experience.
Validating Yourself
Acknowledging how you are feeling is powerful.
This can be said to yourself or to a family member, friend, or therapist.
Doing this helps you take some responsibility and gain some control over your anxiety.
Some ways tofoster healthy sleepinclude the following:
What do you do during an anxiety attack?
It can also be a place to share resources.
Treatment for high-functioning anxiety is similar to that of other anxiety disorders.
Options include talk therapy, medication, and/or social support resources like support groups.
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