High Functioning Anxiety Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Unmasking High Functioning Anxiety

High-functioning anxiety is not officially acknowledged as an illness, but individuals experiencing heightened stress and anxiety may conceal symptoms associated with generalized anxiety disorder. Despite appearing composed on the outside, they often struggle with significant internal worry.

People with high functioning anxiety don’t seem to avoid or withdraw from life. They may have successful jobs, join many community activities, and have solid personal relationships. Yet behind this mask of being successful, these people have constant thoughts of worry, fear, and high stress levels.

If you’re struggling with high functioning anxiety, you may work extra hours, volunteer for different tasks, or try to do all tasks perfectly; you search for clues on how the community defines success and pressure yourself to achieve or exceed these often unrealistic expectations. This extreme push can lead to burnout because of your constant drive to overachieve things due to the fear of failure.

You may overreact to any criticism and severely internalize it. You may disregard self-care like sleep, exercise, and nutrition and face physical health issues linked with chronic stress.

High Functioning Alcoholic Anxiety Symptoms

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), between 18 and 28% of individuals in the US have an anxiety disorder during any given year. Within this percentage of individuals with an anxiety disorder, there is a 33 to 45% occurrence rate for a co-existing alcohol and substance use disorder. [1]

The symptoms of a high functioning alcoholic with chronic stress and anxiety include:

• Increased tolerance to alcohol and drugs.
• Frequent feelings of guilt or remorse.
• Drinking in isolation.
• Concealing alcohol use.
• Persistent anxiety or stress.
• Difficulty cutting down on alcohol consumption.

Helping clients struggling with addiction and high functioning anxiety is a crucial part of the We Level Up Texas dual diagnosis treatment. Reclaim your life today! Call us 24/7 for a free consultation.

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If you’re struggling with high functioning anxiety and substance abuse, get resources for treatment counseling that works. Start getting support with a free call to our mental health and addiction hotline.

What Causes High-Functioning Anxiety?

Circumstances and objects that trigger symptoms of anxiety vary from person to person. Triggers may include perceived dangers, feared objects or situations, certain health illnesses, consuming caffeine, or a general fear of uncertainty. Other significant risk factors may include:

• Psychological Causes:
  • Perfectionism.
  • Fear of failure.
  • Overthinking.
  • The constant need for approval.
  • Unrelenting self-criticism.
• Biological Causes:
  • Genetic predisposition.
  • Neurotransmitter imbalances.
  • Brain structure and function.
• Environmental Causes:
  • Childhood trauma or stressful experiences.
  • High-pressure work or academic environments.
  • Societal expectations and pressures.
  • Relationship difficulties or conflicts.

High-Functioning Autism and Anxiety

According to research published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), appearing in 40% of the cases of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), comorbid anxiety presents unique challenges for healthcare providers. Anxiety amplifies problem behaviors such as social skills deficits, resistance to change, and repetitive behaviors. Furthermore, comorbid ASD/anxiety strains familial relationships and increases parental stress. Research indicates that the neurobiological interactions between anxiety and ASD require comprehensive assessment approaches, modified cognitive behavioral therapy, and carefully managed pharmacological interventions. [3]

High Functioning Anxiety Test

To diagnose an anxiety disorder, a doctor may first rule out other health conditions through physical exams and tests. They may refer the individual for a psychological evaluation if no underlying issues are found. During this evaluation, a mental health professional might use clinical criteria, including the following:

• Excessive worry lasting at least six months.
• Difficulty controlling worry.
• Physical symptoms, such as heightened heart rate and headaches.
• Distress in various settings.
• Recurring panic attacks.
• Fear of social situations.
• Avoidance behaviors.

For those with high-functioning anxiety who may hide symptoms well, honest communication with the mental health provider is crucial for an accurate diagnosis.

High-Functioning Anxiety vs. Other Types of Anxiety

There are many kinds of anxiety disorders, and they can all present differently. Here are some of the most common types:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
• Social Anxiety Disorder.
• Panic Disorder.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Specific Phobias.
• Separation Anxiety Disorder.
• Agoraphobia.
• Selective Mutism.

High-functioning anxiety is characterized by individuals who outwardly appear calm and in control while experiencing internal anxiety. They often overachieve and overcommit to cope with their anxiety, concealing their symptoms. In contrast, other types of stress may manifest with more visible signs of distress, varying coping mechanisms, and a different impact on daily functioning.

To summarize the difference between high functioning and crippling anxiety:

Aspect	High-Functioning Anxiety	Other Types of Anxiety
Visibility of Symptoms	Concealed, masked externally	More visibly expressed
Presentation	Appears calm and in control	Obvious signs of distress
Coping Mechanisms	Tends to overachieve and overcommit	May exhibit avoidance behaviors
Self-Awareness	Often aware of anxiety but hides it	May acknowledge and openly discuss it
Impact on Daily Life	Able to function at a high level	May experience significant impairment
Recognition Challenges	Often goes unnoticed or undiagnosed	More readily recognized and diagnosed
Response to Stress	Driven to achieve and excel	May exhibit avoidance or panic responses

Consultation for High Functioning Anxiety and Depression

If anxiety is disrupting your daily life functioning or if someone experiences functional anxiety, you can consult a healthcare professional to explore coping methods and treatment options. Relieving high functioning anxiety disorder can be achieved through self-help, but when needed, psychotherapy and medication are the primary treatments for anxiety disorders.

It’s time to consult a mental health professional if anxiety is constantly affecting your life, hinders daily activities, or includes panic attacks.

Check your insurance coverage for mental health services, seek recommendations from your primary care doctor, or consult with We Level Up Texas rehab healthcare professionals. A thorough mental health examination determines opportunities for treatment. Meeting with mental health counselors and medical care providers means admission to behavioral therapy and medication treatment. Suitable treatment leads to change for better, more restorative living. This is all possible at our dual diagnosis rehab center in Texas.

We Level Up Texas Dual Diagnosis Rehab Center for High Functioning Anxiety Treatment

Recognizing and treating co-occurring issues enhances the chances of successful, relapse-free healing. Once you enter our dual diagnosis program, a skilled professional team conducts individualized assessments to tailor treatment plans to each client’s needs.

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