The Silent Struggle: Understanding and Overcoming High-Functioning Anxiety
Do you ever feel like an imposter in your own life? You may be the person everyone goes to for help, but inside you feel anxious, fearful, and hopeless. If you can relate, you’re not alone.
Nearly 20% of all adults or 40 million people in the U.S. suffer from some form of anxiety. If you feel like the world only sees a confident you while your inner world is filled with self-doubt, criticism, and worry, read on. You can take back control.
What you’re experiencing is called high-functioning anxiety, a by-product of being human in the modern world with a busy life, responsibilities, and challenges.
What is High-Functioning Anxiety?
People who struggle with high-functioning anxiety experience:
- Constant worrying
- Perfectionism
- Self-doubt
- Overthinking
- Fear of failure
High-functioning anxiety can also manifest physically — you can experience everything from headaches and body aches to sleep disturbances and decreased immune function.
Left untreated, high-functioning anxiety can cause more severe physical symptoms like heart disease, high blood pressure, and digestive disorders. People who have other types of anxiety disorders often develop similar side effects. However, those with high-functioning anxiety carry an important distinction.
What’s Different About High-Functioning Anxiety?
Those with more severe anxiety disorders such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) typically find it difficult, or even impossible, to carry out their daily responsibilities.
However, people with high-functioning anxiety are able to meet their daily obligations and even thrive. This can lead to underdiagnosis and insufficient treatment, as their anxiety may be dismissed as normal stress or attributed to their high-achieving nature.
At the same time, they may feel ashamed to admit their inner struggles, which further contribute to their isolation.
If you think you might have high-functioning anxiety, getting the proper help can be life changing. You may also be surprised to learn how much this condition is holding you back from living your best life while even aging you prematurely.
Take the First Step to Get Help for Your High-Functioning Anxiety
It can be daunting for anyone struggling with high-functioning anxiety to seek professional help. However, many patients have found success when they consulted with their primary care physician.
At Hoag Medical Center in Newport Beach, Dr. Tracy Pantig, a top primary care physician, and the team of award-winning Hoag specialists can help you identify what is causing your internal anxiety and how you can reduce it.
Even better, Hoag’s Compass mobile app offers same-day and next-day virtual appointments with extended hours. If you need to see a specialist, you’ll have a dedicated Personal Care Coordinator working on your behalf to get you on the right path, help you navigate the Hoag network, and schedule all your appointments.
This ultra-convenient app, combined with Hoag’s world-class medical care, is made for busy people like you. And Hoag has been ranked the top hospital in Orange County for six consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report.
Get Help for Your Anxiety with Compass Powered by Hoag
You owe it to yourself to get the help and attention you need, just as you have been there for others. No one should let their high-functioning anxiety make them physically sick, age prematurely, or develop other mental disorders. It’s always wise to take a preventative approach to your overall health and well-being.
Take charge and download the Compass app to sign up today. Dr. Pantig and her care team are here to help, so you can soon go back to being the superstar you are on the outside and stop suffering in silence on the inside.