High-Functioning Anxiety: Behind The Smile
Picture this: you're acing deadlines at work, smashing goals like it’s nobody’s business, and living your best life on the outside, but on the inside, it's like your brain's hosting a never-ending episode of "Anxiety's Got Talent” and your battery’s draining quicker than it can recharge. That is the all-too-common experience of living with High-Functioning Anxiety.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting around 40 million adults aged 18 and older. And here's the kicker: high-functioning anxiety often flies under the radar, with folks wearing their "I'm fine" masks like badges of honor while silently battling inner turmoil.
The Real-Life Struggle
Living with high-functioning anxiety is like walking a tightrope between appearing perfectly put together and feeling like your mind is doing a chaotic cha-cha. You’ve mastered the facade of togetherness, but behind it you might feel lonely and struggle to connect authentically with others. It's the feeling of your heart racing as you hit "send" on an email, only to immediately second-guess every word. It's the constant background noise of self-doubt whispering in your ear, even when everything seems to be going smoothly. It's being the life of the party one moment and secretly wishing you were anywhere else the next. And it's the perfect time to conjure up worst-case scenarios faster than you can say “panic attack!” Living with high-functioning anxiety means constantly juggling a million thoughts and feelings while trying to maintain the illusion of having it all together. Sounds exhausting, right?!
Rooted in Approval-Seeking
The roots of high-functioning anxiety often trace back to childhood. Biologically, high-functioning anxiety is often linked to an overactive amygdala – the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions. It's like having a smoke detector that's a little too sensitive, constantly going off at the slightest hint of danger. But it’s not just genetics that play a role. From a young age, those with high-functioning anxiety may have internalized the belief that their worth is linked to their accomplishments or to meeting the expectations of others.
Whether it's striving for straight A's, excelling in extracurricular activities, or constantly seeking approval from parents and teachers, these early experiences can shape their beliefs about themselves and the world around them. Over time, this pursuit of success can morph into a coping mechanism for managing anxiety, leading to a constant cycle of achievement-driven behavior… and underlying feelings of inadequacy.
A New Perspective on Celebrating Your Successes
Therapy can be a powerful catalyst for personal growth and healing. Through evidence-based approaches like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), you can challenge and reshape thought patterns (I like to call these “stuck points”) and understand core beliefs that contribute to high-functioning anxiety. The goal is to learn how to celebrate your successes not just for how they impress others, but for the personal growth and fulfillment they bring to your own life! Therapy also offers a safe space to reconnect with your inner child and explore unresolved emotions or experiences that may be driving your anxiety.
By developing a sense of self-worth that’s rooted in internal validation rather than external approval, therapy empowers individuals to navigate life's challenges with greater confidence and authenticity.
If you or someone you know can relate, we welcome you to reach out and schedule a free consultation call at Embrace Therapy and Wellness. We offer premium telehealth services throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Visit our Contact Page or email info@embracenj.com to learn more.