High-functioning anxiety (HFA) is a term used to describe individuals who have symptoms of anxiety, but are able to maintain their daily activities and responsibilities. They may appear successful and put together on the outside, but inside they may feel a constant sense of worry and fear. As a successful and high-achieving invidual, you may be particularly susceptible to HFA due to the pressure of maintaining a successful career or business, and the expectations that come with it.
One of the challenges of HFA is that it is often difficult to diagnose. People with HFA may not realize that they have a problem, or may be reluctant to seek help. They may believe that their symptoms are just a normal part of life. However, if left untreated, HFA can lead to a host of physical and emotional problems, such as fatigue, headaches, and muscle tension, as well as depression and substance abuse.
HFA is often associated with perfectionism and a strong desire to please others. You may have a hard time accepting failure and may put a lot of pressure on yourself to succeed. This pressure can lead to a constant state of worry and fear, and can make it difficult to relax and enjoy life.
Another challenge of HFA is that it is often co-occurring with other mental health conditions such as depression, OCD, and PTSD. These conditions can make it difficult to manage the symptoms of HFA and can lead to a decline in overall well-being.
So, what can you do to manage HFA?
Get help & support to find and heal the root cause that keeps triggering this emotion. If you’d like to have a chat to see how I can support you, please go ahead book a free discovery call.