Online Therapy for High Functioning Anxiety in Texas
What is High Functioning Anxiety?
High functioning anxiety describes someone who experiences anxiety but is still able to handle daily responsibilities, often at a high level. Externally, they appear to be on top of things, but inside they struggle with worry, self-doubt, and fear.
People with high functioning anxiety tend to be high achieving, have high expectations for themselves, and feel pressure to do well and succeed. Often the underlying, persistent anxiety, can result in negative effects on their mental & physical health, sense of self, self-esteem, and general well-being.
What can cause High Functioning Anxiety?
High functioning anxiety, in general, can be caused by variety of factors and can vary from person to person. However, some of its most common causes are:
Very high standards: this can involve setting very high expectations on yourself, whether at work, in your relationships, or your personal life. This often can lead to feeling constant pressure to perform and succeed.
Personality: some personality traits may predispose us to developing high functioning anxiety. Some of these include people-pleasing, needing to be in control, being "type A", and emotional sensitivity. These traits can make it difficult to wind-down and relax, leading to a constant sense of pressure.
Overthinking: this involves the constant analyzing of the past and thinking about the future, and can increase worry, doubt, and stopping you from taking action.
Trauma: when a person has experienced trauma, whether a single traumatic event or complex trauma, it is not uncommon for their nervous system to remain on high alert. This may result in a person developing symptoms of anxiety, overthinking, having a constant sense of urgency, and not being able to relax.
Environmental & genetic factors: having a family history of anxiety can increase the likelihood of developing high functioning anxiety. Things such as high stress environments, demanding relationships or jobs, difficult or toxic family relationships, and stressful life events can trigger or increase symptoms of anxiety.
Cultural and/or social pressures: Individuals who place great value on external validation, or have a strong need to conform to cultural or social expectations, may develop high functioning anxiety. Examples of this may include pressure from parents, family, society or religion to excel in appearance, academics, or work.
What are the Symptoms of High Functioning Anxiety?
High functioning anxiety can manifest in various ways. Those with high functioning anxiety usually have many traits that are positive and helpful, such as being detail oriented, organized, loyal, proactive, and hard working. However, it is not uncommon for them to feel it's difficult to balance keeping up their high performance and manage their anxiety at the same time.
This can lead to getting stuck in a cycle of trying to excel as a way to soothe their anxiety, but ultimately leading to increased, persistent anxiety that can affect their mental, physical and emotional well being. For many people, this can result in burnout, fatigue, and depression due to the persistent anxiety.
Some common symptoms of high functioning anxiety are:
Perfectionism
Imposter syndrome
Needing constant reassurance
Procrastination, over-preparation, or over-planning
Excessive need for control
Difficulties relaxing, winding down, or being present
Overthinking, rumination, and excessive worry
People-pleasing tendencies
Physical symptoms (i.e. digestive issues, difficulty sleeping, headaches)
Imposter syndrome
You don’t have to keep living under the pressure of anxiety.
Therapy for High Functioning Anxiety can help you get unstuck.
How I help clients with High Functioning Anxiety
To help my clients through this process, I use a variety of therapeutic styles and techniques as needed, including:
Psychodynamic therapy
Emotion & attachment focused therapy
Parts work (Internal Family Systems therapy-informed)
Inner child work
Trauma informed therapy and bottom-up techniques