High Functioning Anxiety Disorder Millions of individuals struggle with anxiety disorders that are high-functioning They may appear to be in control of their lives, or be referred to as "overachievers" however, they're actually suffering from extreme stress and anxiety Chronic stress can cause them to be incapable of putting their thoughts to rest, sleep poorly, and have a negative impact on their health It is crucial to be aware of the need for help Cognitive behavioral therapy and medications are available Overachievers High functioning anxiety is a condition in which individuals can work and meet deadlines but are consumed by a nervous energy they can't control They may appear professional and have a lively social life but are afraid of failing at their job or falling apart under the pressure of friends and family They never take time to take a break, and they are always striving for perfection This constant stress can be masked by their accomplishments and successes but can be devastating for their physical and mental well-being Overachievers may be reluctant to seek assistance for their conditions due to the fear that it could slow them down or damage their career They don't want to let anyone down particularly those who have praised their hard work Nevertheless, it's important to recognize that you suffer from anxiety that is high-functioning and know that it is treatable Talk therapy and medications can help people manage symptoms Therapists use techniques such as cognitive restructuring and awareness-building to change the belief system that feeds anxiety and teach clients to lessen their negative coping mechanism People with high-functioning anxiety often overreact to criticism and internalize it, so the therapist can help them learn how to manage their emotions and accept failing Anxiety can lead to self-doubt sleep disturbances, digestive issues and a loss of motivation It can also destroy relationships and create an sense of loneliness If you're an athlete it is essential to seek treatment for your anxiety disorder Overthinking Overthinking is common among those with high functioning anxiety disorder They can ponder conversations that have not ended or worry about things that could go wrong during an future event This can lead to chronic anxiety and stress It can also impact sleep and concentration People who have high-functioning anxiety are also more susceptible to hypochondria This can cause to them to overdiagnose their health and be concerned that they are suffering from a serious illness They set themselves high-level goals and have high expectations of themselves Despite the positive feedback they receive they feel like they are always failing and will never reach the level of perfection They are always working and pushing themselves to the limit, which can cause exhaustion and burnout People with high functioning anxiety who are not in therapy can enhance their coping capabilities by managing their symptoms For example, they should try to get enough rest and eat a healthy diet They should also stay away from caffeine and other stimulants that can cause anxiety-related symptoms Attending group therapy sessions can also help them find assistance from other people who are suffering from anxiety Psychotherapy is usually the first step to treat anxiety disorders that are high-functioning, including cognitive behavioral therapy CBT and dialectical behavior therapy DBT These types of therapies can help people understand the connection between their feelings and thoughts They can help them understand how they can change negative thought patterns and how to respond to stressful situations more effectively People with anxiety that is high functioning may benefit from taking medication This can include antidepressants, such as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors SSRIs or SNRIs, and benzodiazepines for short-term relief from acute symptoms Insufficient self-care Self-care deficiency is a hallmark of anxiety that is high functioning This can take many forms, from not getting enough sleep to skipping meals It can also be about avoiding people or places that can trigger anxiety symptoms It is often difficult for someone with high functioning anxiety to realize that they need help since they often consider their anxiety as positive attributes like perfectionism or fear The most common sign that a person has anxiety that is high functioning is a physical one like chronic headaches or digestive problems This may be associated with an absence of enthusiasm for activities or work, or an uneasy feeling that is constant If the symptoms persist, it is important to consult a medical professional Even if these symptoms are mild, they should be treated as warning signs and an indication to seek treatment For instance, a supervisor may find that constant worry hinders him from sleeping and causing fatigue A student with high levels of anxiety may also find that they lose too much sleep, which could affect their grades It is also essential to establish appropriate boundaries with people in your life who demand lots of your time This could include family members, managers, or friends who would like you to take on more than you're able to handle Eliminating stimulants like caffeine and alcohol, which can cause anxiety symptoms, can also aid Fortunately, people with high functioning anxiety can be treated in the same manner that other individuals with anxiety disorders are This is through psychotherapy talk therapy, lifestyle changes and, based on the severity of their symptoms, medication This means the practice of mindfulness, learning to practice self-compassion and avoiding or confronting negative self-talk Social isolation Many people with high functioning anxiety are skilled in securing their inner struggles They are able to continue to perform their life's responsibilities and appear to be successful on the outside, but are struggling to manage their feelings of anxiety If not addressed, these feelings can eventually become debilitating and interfere with everyday activities To alleviate these symptoms, it is essential to seek out support from others and implement stress management strategies These include journaling, staying away from caffeine, and joining an organization that helps you share your concerns with others Anxiety is a difficult thing to manage and may cause a wide range of physical symptoms including restlessness, muscle tension, digestive problems headaches, fatigue, and more In addition, it may influence your sleep People with high functioning levels of anxiety may have difficulty relaxing and concentrating on the task at the moment They may also feel a constant sense of self-doubt or anxiety that they've let others down In some instances those with high functioning anxiety have difficulty to acknowledge their need for treatment for mental health because they feel that they aren't "sick enough" or that they don't deserve the treatment This is particularly relevant for people suffering from ACEs adverse childhood experiences, which can have lasting consequences for mental health Treatment is beneficial to high functioning anxiety sufferers because it helps them better understand their anxiety and learn how they can manage it https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/anxiety-disorders include talk therapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy CBT as well as medication such as selective serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors SSRIs CBT helps patients identify and change their thinking patterns It can help them learn to change their thinking and come up with solutions for the future worries they have Addiction to alcohol and drugs Self-medicating through alcohol and other drugs is common for people who suffer from high functioning anxieties They might also attempt to seek relief through diet changes as well as exercise, decaf coffee or other methods These coping strategies do not provide a lasting solution They can actually worsen anxiety symptoms and lead to addiction-related disorders In addition, they can cause other health issues, such as heart issues and digestive discomfort The presence of anxiety in high-functioning individuals is often seen as an advantage However, it can have grave consequences According to research, people who are anxious are more likely to be at a higher risk of suffering an attack on their heart They are more likely to have gastrointestinal issues and sleep problems Anxiety that is high-functioning can affect their work performance They may feel a desire to perform better than others, which can cause anxiety and stress This can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as drinking excessively or binge eating There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach for treating anxiety with high functioning, but some strategies may help Some include meditating, practicing mindfulness, and eating a healthy diet Using a journal can also be beneficial in helping you spot patterns and triggers It is also important to ensure that your stress levels are under control and seek professional help should you require it People with high-functioning anxiety are hesitant to ask for help because they do not want to appear weak or incompetent Fortunately, there are plenty of mental health resources available that offer online counseling Some of these services are free They are a viable alternative to in-person treatment for those who are unable to afford traditional services