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What Is High-Functioning Anxiety?

troubled young woman sitting on couch with knees pulled up to chest and arms wrapped around herself attempting to understand what is high functioning anxiety

Anxiety is increasingly common in today’s hectic, fast-paced society. Unfortunately, unprocessed trauma, prolonged stress, natural disaster, and fears of failure and insecurity can lead people across the country to suffer from anxiety. For many people, it might be hard to find the right treatment program or ask for help. Some might manage anxiety with unhealthy coping mechanisms. An anxiety treatment program is the best way to treat and manage all types of anxiety.

If you or someone in your life is struggling with anxiety, call Clear Recovery Virtual Program for help. Our virtual anxiety treatment programs provide holistic, evidence-based telehealthcare. Reach us now 866.680.0969 to learn more about our anxiety treatment and other mental health treatment programs.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a mental, emotional, and physical state. Unlike trauma, which occurs during a life-threatening event, anxiety is attached to the past or the future. Someone in an anxious state ruminates on the past or worries about the future. During anxiety, the body goes into a fight, flight, or freeze state, just as it does during trauma. Once the nervous system is dysregulated, it’s hard to return to a state of calm. While each person’s experience of anxiety is their own, common symptoms include:

  • Trouble concentrating
  • Sweating
  • Shaking
  • Tremors
  • Confusion
  • Hyperventilating
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Nightmares
  • Erratic behavior
  • Irrational fear
  • Excessive worry
  • Reactionary behavior
  • Anger

Symptoms of anxiety can come and go. Prolonged stress can cause anxiety attacks or continuous low-level anxiety for some people. To a loved one, anxiety may seem like irrational, erratic behavior. They also may not know how to help during an anxiety attack. It’s essential to know the symptoms, types of anxiety, and how to calm the nervous system once anxiety is triggered.

High-Functioning Anxiety and Other Types of Anxiety

Anxiety may not always be apparent to those around you. People with high functioning anxiety may self-soothe or manage symptoms when around others. The most common types of anxiety are:

  • Phobias: Intense, often irrational fears of animals, objects, and situations.
  • Generalized Anxiety: Excessive worry about the past or future.
  • Panic Disorder: Anxiety-induced panic attacks
  • Social Anxiety Disorder: Anxiety around others, in crowds, and in other social situations.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: The need to organize, schedule, and practice repetitive actions in order to stay calm.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Anxiety triggered by unprocessed trauma that can result in reactions that don’t match reality.
  • Separation Anxiety Disorder: Fear of leaving a person, place, or animal.

A qualified therapist can diagnose anxiety disorders. Therapists can also diagnose co-occurring disorders. Because everyone’s experience of anxiety is different, their triggers, responses, and treatments are also unique. The most common approach to anxiety is behavioral therapy and psychotherapy. Behavioral therapies like DBT and CBT can help clients understand the root causes of anxiety and treat anxiety disorders. Through weekly sessions, clients learn tools to change their thought patterns, behaviors, and increase emotional resilience.

Start Anxiety Treatment At Clear Behavioral Health Virtual Program

If you or someone in your life is struggling with anxiety, know you are not alone. Anxiety is increasingly common and treatable. Behavioral therapy and mindfulness can help clients calm their nervous system and remember that emotions are fleeting.

At Clear Recovery Virtual Program, we provide clients with holistic, evidence-based anxiety treatment online. Our telehealth anxiety treatment program balances care and flexibility for you and your family. With a range of therapy programs, including PTSD, group therapy, and anxiety treatment, we have a telehealth program for you.

If you’re ready to keep your anxiety in check, call us now at 866.680.0969 to learn more about our telehealth mental health anxiety treatment program and begin therapy today.