High Functioning Anxiety

Mavin is a software developer who always meets deadlines and delivers exceptional work. His colleagues admire his efficiency and reliability. However, Mavin’s reality is quite different. He constantly overthinks every project, fears disappointing his team, and stays awake at night replaying conversations, worrying about how others perceive him. Mavin hides his anxiety behind his professional demeanor, often pushing himself to exhaustion. While he’s high-achieving on the outside, internally, he feels like he’s barely holding it together and this indicates, high functioning anxiety.

It refers to a condition where individuals outwardly appear successful, composed, and accomplished but internally struggle with excessive worry, overthinking, and fear of failure. They often mask their anxiety by channeling it into productivity, perfectionism, and meeting high standards.

Recognizing high-functioning anxiety is crucial because its symptoms are often overlooked due to the individual’s outward success. Left unaddressed, it can lead to burnout, physical health issues, and a deteriorating sense of well-being. Awareness enables early intervention, healthier coping mechanisms, and improved mental and emotional health.

Ways to Cope:

1. Journaling with a twist (e.g., write letters to your anxiety).
2. Grounding techniques like mindful doodling.
3. Creating an “achievement jar” to celebrate small wins.
4. Practicing gratitude with a sensory focus.
5. Developing an anxiety playlist (songs that calm or energize).
6. Role-playing your inner critic to gain perspective.
7. Practicing “brain dumping” to clear mental clutter.
8. Scheduling worry time to compartmentalize concerns.
9. Using visual aids like worry trees for problem-solving.
10 Engaging in creative expression (e.g., painting your emotions).