*When Claire shared with her co-workers that she frequently felt anxious, they reacted with surprise. “But you always seem so confident,” they said. “You’ll literally never know.”
But behind her confident and competent exterior, working as an administrator at a prestigious university, she struggles with a constant spiral of anxiety. “I’m afraid of failure and my worries tend to spiral out of control. I never stop,” she says.
High-functioning anxiety disorder is not an official or recognized mental health diagnosis, but many people suffer from it. According to the Mental Health Foundation, as many as 60% of adults in the UK have an anxiety disorder, but almost half (45%) keep it a secret.
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And for many people, this means continuing to appear calm, calm, in control, or perhaps even a done person, while hiding emotions such as anxiety, stress, and low mood. .
Due to the nature of the condition, it is difficult to determine exactly how many people have high-functioning anxiety. If you keep your emotions bottled up or compartmentalized, you’re unlikely to voice your anxiety.
But being “high functioning” outdoors can have serious effects on your mental and physical health. Instead of seeking support and treatment for your anxiety, you may find yourself taking on too many tasks to maintain respectability or please others. Keeping difficult emotions to yourself can lead to loneliness and worsen feelings of depression. Some people may turn to alcohol or drug abuse to cope with hidden stress.
“While the use of labels such as “high functioning” appears to have positive connotations such as high performance, high labor productivity, and resilience under pressure, “It can be harmful in terms of disease situations,” says Eloise Skinner. , psychotherapist, career expert, and author.
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“While it may be possible to maintain outward professional competency, that does not mean the condition itself is resolved or alleviated,” she added.
“In fact, pretending that you have little difficulty at work or that you don’t have symptoms of anxiety or depression can make the situation worse over time because the root cause is not being addressed. .”
So why do people ‘hide’ or hide their feelings of anxiety at work? Many employers now recognize the impact that poor mental health can have on people in the workplace; There can still be some stigma around anxiety and depression.
For some people, it can be difficult to distinguish between the symptoms of high-functioning anxiety (such as getting good grades or being detail-oriented) and how they really feel. In other words, some people may not realize that these traits are caused by their own inner insecurities and fears.
It can also be difficult to tell others what you’re struggling with when you’re used to seeing your perfect appearance.
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“Individuals feel it affects their professional reputation, are concerned about the impact on their performance metrics, professional growth, or simply an internal fear of not being able to complete the job to a normal standard.” “Maybe,” Skinner said.
“Work can provide an environment that is separate from home and personal life, so you may not feel comfortable bringing more personal or personal issues into the workplace.”
For people with high-functioning anxiety, asking for help can be difficult. However, it’s important to recognize the signs that you’re struggling, such as feeling overwhelmed, overthinking small things, having trouble sleeping, or feeling like your head is racing.
Anxiety can lead to behavioral changes, such as avoiding social interactions or engaging in nervous habits like picking your skin. People with anxiety also often experience physical symptoms such as stomach problems, tension headaches, and general body aches.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, it’s important to talk to someone you trust, whether it’s a friend or relative. Therapy is a good way to deal with problems and concerns, both past and present. Taking time off from work and taking regular breaks during the day is also important and your employer should encourage this.
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