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EXPLORE FURTHER: Innocuous practices that
increase your chances of experiencing a panic attack
The individuals you perceive as ‘perfectionists’ might actually be consumed by anxiety stemming from their urge to appear completely put-together.
Although it isn’t a official diagnosis on its own,
high-functioning anxiety
depicts someone who exerts excessive effort to cope with continuous stress, lack of confidence, and anxiety about falling short.
Almost 7 million people in America have received a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, and high-functioning anxiety falls within this category.
The true figure is probably significantly greater since not all individuals have access to professional assistance.
Individuals suffering from high-functioning anxiety frequently excel professionally and achieve great success in their careers—however, concurrently, they also face internal struggles.
contend with near-constant self-criticism
No quantity of constructive praise or incentives can fix this issue.
Dr. Neha Chaudhary, who specializes as a psychiatrist for children, adolescents, and adults, works at
Massachusetts
The General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, indicated
Fortune
: ‘They might still excel in their careers, have many friends, and have strong relationships.
‘However, internally, they could be battling typical signs of anxiety such as feeling restless, constant fretting, difficulty falling asleep, or experiencing tiredness.’
High-functioning anxiety might appear through various behaviors. People could push themselves excessively hard and be hesitant about resting, frequently struggling with easing up or allowing for leisure time.
They could feel profound guilt or embarrassment about small mistakes or obstacles and avoid assigning tasks to others, thinking they alone should manage everything.
This may result in irritability, frustration, and persistent negative self-dialogue. They often resort to micromanagement as they aim for flawlessness in all aspects.
Moreover, difficulty falling asleep is another indicator since their worrying thoughts frequently stop them from unwinding completely.
Dr. Michael Louwers, who serves as the associate medical director at Reset Medical and Wellness Center, stated: “Those very character attributes that propel people to excel can also exacerbate the manifestations of anxiety.”
‘It typically starts with positive aims like setting objectives and thorough planning. Nonetheless, individuals dealing with this kind of anxiety frequently set extremely lofty and unattainable targets, which leads to delays or persistent fretting.’
Individuals suffering from this form of anxiety might frequently encounter physical manifestations including perspiration, muscular tightness, dizziness, severe headaches, an accelerated heartbeat, and tingling sensations in their extremities like the hands and feet.
Generalized anxiety disorder can impact individuals regardless of age or gender; however, women are at double the risk compared to men for developing this condition over their lifetime.
It’s crucial to be aware of the indications of high-functioning anxiety. Disregarding these symptoms can lead to excessive workload and eventual burnout, along with an increase in anxiety across various aspects of your life and potentially triggering depressive episodes.
Dr. Judith Joseph, a psychiatrist and the author of “High Functioning,” explains that individuals dealing with high-functioning anxiety and depression exhibit their symptoms yet might push themselves excessively to seem capable.
If we delay intervention until these individuals lose their capabilities, it might be too late. A significant number of them may experience exhaustion, suffer from clinical depression or anxiety, resort to substance misuse, or encounter health issues due to lack of treatment and support.
To deal with high-functioning anxiety, it’s crucial to be kinder to yourself and acknowledge that not all tasks will be completed daily.
Identifying instances of heightened anxiety and stepping back, be it from professional duties or social engagements, can aid in managing stress levels.
Adding diaphragmatic deep breathing to your daily regimen, where you breathe in for four seconds, pause for four, and then exhale for four, can also prove advantageous.
Feeding your brain with nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, B12 vitamins, vitamin D, and magnesium—which can be found in foods like berries, nuts, and fish—may also aid in reducing inflammation and enhancing your mood by maintaining energy levels.
Specialists suggest dedicating a minimum of half an hour each day solely to yourself—be it for a stroll, enjoying some tunes, or having a conversation with someone you know—to soothe your nerves and break the chain of worrisome thinking.
In conclusion, mastering the ability to assign tasks and knowing when to refuse can free up additional time for self-care and pursuing enjoyable pastimes.
Therapy plays a vital role in overcoming anxiety, with talk therapy being particularly effective. It operates by assisting individuals in reshaping negative thought patterns regarding life and altering their coping strategies and actions that might exacerbate their anxiety.
Frequently, individuals undergoing therapy learn to view anxiety not as a bad feeling, but as an unproductive one that ought to be recognized without being fixated upon.
A certified counselor could prompt someone to express, “I experience anxiety, and that’s fine. It does not define me as a defective or inadequate individual.”
Rather than focusing on self-criticism and anticipating potential failures, someone navigating high-functioning societal expectations is encouraged to find remedies that alleviate their symptoms and fulfill their responsibilities with reduced self-doubt.
Mindfulness practices such as guided meditations and breathwork techniques are frequently employed methods to alleviate individuals’ concerns regarding upcoming events and uncertainties, often referred to as ‘future-tripping.’
Focusing on a single task or present moment can enhance sensations of serenity and tranquility.
Deep and steady breathing helps regulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which triggers the ‘rest and digest’ reaction — the converse of the anxiety-causing ‘fight or flight’ response activated by the sympathetic nervous system.
There are benefits to anxiety, though. Many people with anxiety are empathetic and natural peacemakers and rule followers. They often have a strong desire to overcome obstacles and prove nonbelievers wrong.
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