Eight subtle signs you have high-functioning anxiety - and how to ease it READ MORE: Benign habits that raise your risk of a panic attack By CASSIDY MORRISON SENIOR HEALTH REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 17:42, 14 November 2024 | Updated: 17:43, 14 November 2024 e-mail 7 View comments Those you see as ‘perfectionists’ could really be wracked with anxiety driven by their desire to show they have it all together. While not a formal diagnosis itself, high-functioning anxiety describes a person who overworks themselves to deal with persistent feelings of stress, self-doubt, and fear of not measuring up.
Nearly 7 million Americans have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, of which high-functioning anxiety is a subset. However, the actual number is likely much higher, given that not everyone can access professional help. People with high-functioning anxiety are often high-achievers with successful careers - but at the same time, they contend with near-constant self-criticism .
No amount of positive feedback or rewards can remedy it. Dr Neha Chaudhary, a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, told Fortune : ‘They might still excel in their careers, have many friends, and have strong relationships. ‘But inside, they might be struggling with common symptoms of anxiety like restlessness, excessive worrying, trouble sleeping, or fatigue.
’ High-functioning anxiety can manifest in several ways. I.
