In today’s society, we are programmed to survive. Times are hard, resources are limited and because of that many people suffer. While everyone experiences some form of anxiety in their life, or the feeling of being worried and overwhelmed, there are quite a few people that actually suffer from it.
WHAT IS ANXIETY?
The logical component of this is that your body is overstimulated by trying to make sense of real and present danger. Your fears are literally in action when anxiety takes over.
Anxiety is a reaction to stress; many of the symptoms are far greater than the cookie-cutter ones we see plastered on pamphlets: sweaty palms, shakiness, and queasiness.
It’s a mentality that many can’t shake: the constant racing mind, the unsettled feeling of uncertainty, the inconsistency with decision-making, and extreme procrastination. It causes one to not meet the mark in everyday life, fail in work-life balance, fall behind on deadlines and more.
RELATED: 12 Common Habits That Are Making You Anxious
WHAT IS HIGH-FUNCTIONING ANXIETY?
According to the National Health Institute of Mental Health, about 40 million adults deal with an anxiety disorder at any given time, and approximately 18 percent of that population falls into the high-functioning category.
If this sounds like you, you might be dealing with high-functioning anxiety, a condition in which you experience the symptoms of anxiety referenced above, including persistent feelings of fear, unease, or worry, while still successfully managing all the demands of daily life.
Though anxiety has been around for 2,000 years, the actual term anxiety disorder was coined in the 1980s. High-functioning anxiety isn’t a recognized clinical disorder but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF HIGH-FUNCTIONING ANXIETY?
Unfortunately, the symptoms often get swept under the rug.
On the outside, you appear to be: