Myths And Misconceptions About High Functioning Anxiety
When dealing with high functioning anxiety (HFA), one of the worst things you can do is rely on “experts” who spread misinformation about HFA and don’t actually understand the unique challenges that HFA brings. Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed, dealing with anxiety for a long time, or think you may have HFA, I know how tempting the desire to find answers can be.
When you go searching for answers, you will find them, but that doesn’t always mean they’re right. In fact, it’s extremely likely that you have already or will find many misconceptions and myths about anxiety that may lead you down the wrong path or stop you from getting help at all.
As an anxiety coach who works with patients that struggle with HFA, I have run across many of these myths and misconceptions. And if you’re like me, then you want to make sure you know the truth about anxiety and HFA so you know how to deal with it the right way.
In order to do that, we should start by debunking the most common myths and misconceptions about anxiety that I’ve run across over the years of helping my clients overcome their HFA.
What Is High Functioning Anxiety?
If you’re familiar with anxiety, you may have a general understanding of how it works and what people with generalized anxiety disorder may be experiencing. High functioning anxiety may be a new term that you’re not as familiar with—and high functioning anxiety is not the same as general anxiety.
One of the biggest indicators that you may have high functioning anxiety? You know what it’s like to seem calm, cool, and collected on the outside but on the inside, you’re fighting a battle with the constant storm of self doubt, stress, and anxiety.
People with high functioning anxiety are high functioning; they may not always appear to be timid, panicked, or worrisome like those with general anxiety. One person’s “high functioning” could be different than someone else’s.
Despite the opinion of that random person on the internet, or your friend who said “It’s no big deal, everyone deals with it”, high functioning anxiety is not the same for everyone. How you deal with HFA needs to be based on a plan that is tailored to you. Don’t let anxiety disorder misconceptions stop you from getting the right help.
Common Myths About High Functioning Anxiety
A lot of what we have read, been told, or think about high functioning anxiety is actually just stereotypes about anxiety that we either found on the internet or were told by someone that doesn’t actually have formal training or certifications to treat anxiety. Eventually, these myths and misconceptions about anxiety start becoming real in our heads.
I often have to help my clients break free from these stereotypes so they can see the truth about their own high functioning anxiety. What I found is that most of my clients with high functioning anxiety often convince themselves that:
I don't worry all the time…
People often assume that because they don’t worry all of the time, they must not have high functioning anxiety. High functioning anxiety doesn’t mean you worry all the time, but it does mean you’re probably over stimulated with stress, even if you don’t show it on the outside, and determined to achieve your goals no matter what, and that can be a lot for someone to deal with. So, just because you don’t “worry all the time” like other people with HFA, doesn’t mean you aren’t dealing with it, too.
My anxiety helps me get more done…
Yes, high functioning anxiety can be a driving factor for you to get a lot done or get more done, whether that be at home, work, etc. The reason why someone with high functioning anxiety gets “so much done” is because the intense fear of not getting something done is too much to handle. Maybe you’re so scared of failure that you do whatever is possible to achieve something, this could lead to overworking yourself, self doubt, or burn out.
I have never missed work because of my anxiety…
A high performance, high stress workplace is one of the most common places you can find people with high functioning anxiety and I have seen it time and time again with my own clients. Maybe you stop yourself from calling in sick or taking that long overdue vacation because even the thought of not going to work makes you freak out. Meanwhile, everyone around you thinks you have everything together because you never let yourself drop the ball, no matter the cost to you, your family, or your health.
Anxiety doesn't hold me back, it motivates me…
You may be telling yourself that having high functioning anxiety is actually okay because it motivates you to do more and be more. It seems to be the driving force that has helped you reach your success. And while stress can be a good motivator for short periods of time, anxiety can be an overwhelming and debilitating emotion when left untreated. It may come across as a motivator for now, but overtime, high functioning anxiety can take its toll on your mental health and lead to prolonged periods of feeling unmotivated to do anything or even physical burnout that results in hospitalization.
Work With A High Functioning Anxiety Coach Today
If you are a high functioning person who seems like they have it all figured out on the outside, but on the inside you feel like the world is crashing down on you, you probably have your own misconceptions about high functioning anxiety and might not even realize they aren’t actually true.
You may find that working with a high functioning anxiety coach can help you work through the stereotypes about anxiety in your head so you can see the truth for what it really is.
My course is designed to help those that deal with high levels of anxiety but may look like they have it all together. Wanting a more personable approach? I also offer coaching services that provide the opportunity for me to work with you one on one so we can really dig deep into the root causes of your high functionality.
Don’t let the myths and misconceptions about high functioning anxiety stop you from getting the help you need. Schedule a free consultation or check out my course to get started.