7 signs of high-functioning anxiety
High-functioning anxiety is a term often used to describe people who appear to have it all together on the outside but are struggling on the inside. Although high-functioning individuals may appear calm and composed on the surface, they may be struggling with anxiety underneath the surface. Here are seven signs that may indicate that someone is experiencing high-functioning anxiety:
- Fear of criticism
Individuals who experience high-functioning anxiety may dwelling on even the slightest criticism, worrying that they may have a deeper flaw in their character or abilities. Their self-talk is likely to be critical or negative.
- Perfectionism
Striving for excellence is great, but perfectionism can be damaging. For example, if you lose sleep because of a minor formatting error in a document or a small, fixable mistake, it could be a sign of high-functioning anxiety.
- Need for control
Feeling like things won’t be done right unless you have a hand in everything can be another sign of high-functioning anxiety. If the thought of delegating tasks increases your stress levels or sends you into a panic, your need for control could be a symptom.
- Acute stress
Everyone experiences stress occasionally. But experiencing daily, intense stress-even when tackling tasks or events that might seem routine-isn’t the norm. If you’re feeling intense stress when you should be feeling more indifferent then you might have high-functioning anxiety.
- Overthinking
Do you mull over conversations long after they've ended? Do you find yourself analyzing every word, every gesture, every expression? Repetition thinking and overthinking is often a sign of high-functioning anxiety.
- Impostor syndrome
Despite clear accomplishments others can see and appreciate, you might feel like you're fooling everyone. If you suffer from impostor syndrome, you often feel as though you might be 'found out' at any moment—your colleagues or loved ones will discover you're not as competent as you seem.
- Excessive sweating
For some, anxiety isn’t just felt mentally, but physically too. Sweating more than usual, especially in non-stressful situations, can be a sign of high-functioning anxiety.
- Headaches or migraines
When you feel under pressure to perform (as is often the case for those coping with high-functioning anxiety), it might show up as recurrent headaches—sometimes called tension headaches—or migraines. If there's no other clear medical cause, these could be down to anxiety, but check with a medical professional if you’re concerned.
- Feeling light-headed
Another physical symptom of high-functioning anxiety can be dizziness. You might have experienced it with dehydration or hunger, but sometimes it’s your body reacting to waves of anxiety.
It is important to note that these signs are not definitive proof that one is experiencing high-functioning anxiety as they can also be indicative of other mental health conditions. If you are concerned about your mental health, it is advisable to consult as soon as possible with a mental health professional.