You've likely heard of , which are thought to affect nearly a third of people at some point in their lives, . But recently, the idea of high-functioning anxiety has been becoming more popular, meant to refer to someone who might experience symptoms of high anxiety but whose symptoms don't necessarily interfere with their daily life to a disruptive degree. While high-functioning anxiety is not a diagnosable condition like , the term seems to strike a chord with many people, giving a name to symptoms that can be hard to cope with, but don't necessarily feel as though they rise to the threshold of a diagnosable disorder.
But what is high-functioning anxiety, exactly, and how should it be dealt with? Here, experts explain everything you need to know about the term. , MA, LMFT, and founder of Bene, which offers mental health resources and and e-workshops. , LMFT, founder and CEO of High-functioning anxiety is "a phrase that's going to describe somebody who is functioning at a high level with anxiety, to the point where it doesn't impede their abilities to carry out daily tasks, interact with their families, and complete tasks at work," , MA, LMFT, told PS.
Although numerous people live with high-functioning anxiety, it is not an official diagnosis in the because it doesn't impair how someone functions. According to Westbrook, "High-functioning anxiety has a tendency to propel you forward," and it can give you a boost of energy rather than be debilitating, such as generalized anxie.
