HIGH FUNCTIONING ANXIETY

By Jane Marks

Do you often find that, during the day, you feel a little worried, distressed, or even fretful? You are still able to accomplish everything, but you feel plagued with a little uneasiness along the way. If this sounds like you, you may be experiencing a condition that I—and a lot of my patients—struggle with: high-functioning anxiety. While this is not necessarily a clinical disorder, let’s take a closer look at some of the indicators:

• People-pleasing. You might find that you’re anxious about saying no, worried about being a bad friend, spouse, employee, or letting people down. • Overthinking or struggling to make small decisions. You spend too much time “what if-ing”—whether it’s how to respond to emails, decide what to wear, or even manage driving directions. • Doubting your “enough-ness”. You question whether you accomplished a task fast enough, or whether you were thorough or thoughtful enough. • Comparing and contrasting. You spend so much time being caught up in comparison that you are not relaxed enough to enjoy the moment. You feel like you may not be meeting your own expectations.

Here is the good news: high-functioning anxiety will often propel you forward rather than leave you frozen in fear. So here are a few tips to help:

1. Acknowledge the fact that anxiety will occur during the course of the day. 2. Look for times when you don’t have to be perfect. It takes a lot of energy that you could use for other things. 3. Take time to observe experiences and people around you. Focus on the here and now—it pauses anxiety. 4. Find your healthy motivators: hobbies, meditation, and, for many of us, prayer. 5. As always, do a balance check: sleep, diet, and exercise. Personal housekeeping is a must. 6. Reach out. Remind yourself that you’re not alone by reaching out to your support squad—family, friends, or even a mental health professional.

This can make a huge difference.