High Functioning Anxiety: How to Identify and Manage an Anxiety Flare Up

Anxiety

High-functioning anxiety is usually difficult to detect, even to the victim themself. Everything on the surface appears very well. However, the pressure, worry, and fear accumulate within. It is an invisible nervous anxiety in which a lot of people are diagnosed and fear being labeled as insane.

But as stress continues to accumulate, it may cause an anxiety flare up, a time when anxiousness is too much to conceal or deal with.

In this article, we will describe the concept of high-functioning anxiety, an anxiety flare-up, and how to deal with it before it occupies your everyday life.

What is High Functioning Anxiety

High functioning anxiety is not what doctors refer to as an official diagnosis. Still, it is a phrase used to describe individuals who are anxious yet can perform regular daily duties.

They go out to work, beat deadlines, and maintain a social life. They tend to be composed. Soon, the issue is that they have to live with racing thoughts, being anxious all the time, and failing.

High functioning anxiety is well disguised, unlike traditional anxiety. Individuals can even be commended to be on top of matters, yet behind the scenes, they are fighting.

What Is An Anxiety Flare Up?

An Anxiety Flare up is when this buildup of stress and worry gets to a high level. It is the abrupt rise in the symptoms of anxiety, which might be caused by both emotional and physical stresses, sleep deprivation, or pressure on oneself.

 

Anxiety flare-up usually poses the following common symptoms:

  • Trouble sleeping
  • Dull headaches or chest discomfort
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Being fearful or anxious
  • Overthinking about the easy things
  • Being angry or sad without a distinct cause

 

These individuals often feel weighed down, even when they continue with their daily tasks. They are unable to relax, and their brain do not rest.

Living With The Pressure To Be Perfect

The need to look strong is one of the most difficult aspects of high functioning anxiety. When people tell me I am doing great, it becomes difficult to confess the apparent reality.

They are afraid to be regarded as weak. They do not wish to disappoint anybody. Therefore, they continue smiling, continue working, and do not want to take the signals of their mind and body into consideration.

This perpetual need to be fine is the cause of burnout. And finally when they crash they end up being confused, since they were doing everything right.

How It Affects Everyday Life

High-functioning anxiety not only influences emotions. It affects all aspects of life, labor, relationships, and health.

They can become overworked at their job, driven to do everything perfectly. They may experience difficulties with overthinking and a fear of judgment in relationships. Physically, they may experience headaches, tight muscles, and fatigue.

They tend to say `yes` when they ought to say `no`. They have a sense of guilt for resting. And they can never manage to feel content even on the occasions when they succeed.

How to Manage Anxiety Flare Up

The positive thing is that you are able to control it. Small changes allow you to feel better.

Simple tips are as follows:

  1. Take day breaks

Take a break in work. Take a walk or close your eyes for 5 minutes.

  1. Talk to a trusted person

You certainly can, but you can also talk to yourself, and that is probably the most important one, the bedrock of all the others. Do not keep it inside. Sharing with others enables you to lighten up.

  1. Say no to the things you have to

Not everything has to be done by you. The importance of your rest is also not to be ignored.

  1. Write your thoughts

It assists you in realizing what is nagging you.

  1. Take care of your body

Take water, sleep and eat good food.

In case your anxiety flare ups occur frequently, there is no harm in enlisting the services of a therapist or a counselor. You can get additional tools to deal with your stress by talking to a professional.

Final Thoughts

The high functioning anxiety is usually ignored, but it is real and traumatizing. Just because people can not see your struggle does not mean that it is not there. And that is why in case you have experienced a feeling that you are doing everything right yet feeling overwhelmed you are not alone.

Anxiety attacks can be seen as pets that request your body to get some relaxation, some care, and some balance. Pay heed to those indicators. Personal and easy living changes, daily consciousness, and emotional support are more important.