Understanding High-Functioning Anxiety and When To Seek Help

The idea of an anxious person may conjure up notions of nervous energy, scattered chatter, even a sense of panic. Symptoms of high-functioning anxiety, however, are usually veiled behind the appearance of success and on-point composure.

While people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are more prone to high-functioning anxiety, the latter is not a diagnosed mental health disorder. It is, instead, a catch-all term – however contemporary – to describe a growing population of people who live with anxiety, but describe themselves as functioning reasonably well.

This population notably thrives within, and often because of, their anxious symptoms. This unique cohort has figured out a way to use anxiety as a protagonist in their tendency for intense caring. Instead of allowing their anxiety to hold them back, they convert it into production.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the United States every year. That's 18.1% of the population. And, while anxiety disorders are easily treatable, only 36.9% of those affected receive treatment.

Circulating amongst the remaining 63% is a population of people masked behind symptoms of high-functioning anxiety. And their inner suffering may be so overshadowed by their outward performance that they either don't recognize it or are afraid to let it go.

Pros and Cons of High-Functioning Anxiety

Like anything else, high functioning anxiety has both positive and negative characteristics. On the plus side, the outward appearance is that of an outgoing, punctual, proactive, organized, helpful, passionate, loyal over-achiever.

The proclivity for detail-orientation adds an extra boost of excellence in the workplace, and can be a basis for trust amongst colleagues and peers.

On the negative side, some of these experiences can evoke challenges like insecurity, racing thoughts, nervousness, overthinking, insomnia, and people-pleasing.

In the context of anxiety, detail-orientation can easily translate to agitation, perfectionism, and even obsessiveness. And more often than not, the drive toward performance will trump acknowledging the inner struggle and often the willingness to seek help.

Because of their ability to channel anxiety into desired productivity, high-functioning anxious people are, in essence, at odds with themselves. And, because the rest of the world is likely to applaud and even envy their energy and success, they often navigate this unique form of anxiety in silence.

Does High-Functioning Anxiety Indicate Therapy Is Needed?

Arguably not so in all cases. Because of the nature of this branch of anxiety, therapy is something to look into if, and when, your coping skills, daily habits or behaviors become either too extreme or harmful to your life.

As with anxiety disorders in general, however, high-functioning anxiety is very treatable…if recognized and addressed. And doing so doesn't have to involve a mindset of “fixing” something that is “wrong.” It can actually be a means of embracing and managing a unique asset in the context of clarity and self-care.

Symptoms of high-functioning anxiety can be especially conflicting for those who live with them. There is always the duel between performance and the optimal level of anxiety needed to achieve it. And dulling the double-edged sword by asking for help can seem more threatening than keeping the anxiety hidden.

Bottom line: if high-functioning anxiety is making you miserable, it's probably not doing its job as well as it could.

If you are struggling to maintain balance in your relationship with anxiety, your anxiety might be trying to tell you it's time for a better way. As you probably know, doing something sometimes feels better than just about anything else.

What if your high-functioning anxiety is nudging you to try something new? Few of us really change until we have to.

To find a therapist, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.