Navigating Life with High Functioning Anxiety or Depression: A Compassionate Approach from a Therapist in Sacramento

As a therapist in Sacramento dedicated to supporting adults living with anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder, I've encountered numerous clients expressing a poignant paradox. Clients tell me they get props from their colleagues or friends for appearing to effortlessly handle everything, while behind the scenes, they're working really hard to deal with self-doubt, shame, and the fear of being exposed. It's like this silent struggle of anxiety or depression is covered up with a mask of seeming self-confidence.

Living with "high functioning" anxiety or depression is a journey that often involves a great deal of effort and well-honed coping mechanisms. These strategies can mask the symptoms of anxiety or depression to the outside world, yet internally, individuals may grapple with an ongoing struggle to maintain functioning.

If you or someone you care about has been dealing with anxiety or depression for a while, it might seem like that's just how life is. You might not even think there's another way to feel, keeping you stuck in what you know. In essence, being high functioning does not imply an absence of difficulties; rather, it showcases a commendable efficiency in navigating them, demonstrating a remarkable ability to manage daily life despite the challenges posed by the underlying anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Recognizing the Signs of High Functioning Depression and Anxiety

If you’re grappling with "high functioning" anxiety or depression, ask yourself if you have perfectionist tendencies or very high expectations, for yourself and/or others. High expectations are often connected to an “"all or nothing” perspective, also called black-and-white thinking, which can evoke negative thought patterns and increase emotional distress. Also, folks with high functioning anxiety or depression frequently struggle with recurrent self-critical thoughts and diminished self-worth. Many of my clients are high functioning professionals who feel a sense of shame or guilt and worry they’re somehow not living up to how life “should” be experienced. Also, they tend to brush off or ignore their symptoms until things get really intense.

 Symptoms of high functioning depression may be masked by a diligent work ethic and efforts to maintain social connections in an effort to be perceived as competent, responsive, or reliable. The persistent drive to meet responsibilities comes at a high cost of masking emotional distress, dismissing emotional needs, and an inclination to minimize personal and relationship struggles. For support managing depression and self-care, check out this blog.

Similarly, high functioning in anxiety may manifest as an individual who excels in meticulous planning and attention to detail in their relentless pursuit of excellence, coexisting with an internal landscape fraught with worry and apprehension. Behind this facade, however, lies a constant battle with internal turmoil. For information and support about anxiety management, check out this blog.

Dispelling Misconceptions: Severity of High Functioning Anxiety and Depression

A prevalent misconception surrounding high-functioning anxiety and depression is the belief that the impact is less severe than for those who aren't high functioning. However, this oversimplification disregards the complexity of lived experiences, adaptive coping mechanisms, and systemic structures influencing mental health conditions and treatment.

Living with high functioning anxiety or depression does not diminish the severity of the underlying disorder; instead, it reflects your adaptive strategies and coping mechanisms. The external display of adeptness often obscures the internal struggle, which only emphasizes the importance of not downplaying the gravity of the mental health condition based solely on appearances. If you experience mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of anxiety or depression, it may be impacting how you perceive yourself, your relationships, your self-worth, and your future. 

Exploring Variability: Factors of Functioning with Anxiety and Depression?

The reasons behind why some individuals adapt high-functioning behaviors while others do not are diverse and intricate. A complex interplay of biological, psychological, environmental, and structural elements, including multigenerational trauma, access to healthcare, stigma, cultural traditions, systemic racism, and poverty, contributes to this variability. Understanding this diversity is essential for fostering empathy and dismantling stigmas associated with seeking professional help.

People living with anxiety and depression may develop high-functioning skills as a survival strategy, often rooted in past experiences. For some, becoming self-sufficient and high functioning was not only protective but necessary. The varied responses underscore the uniqueness of everyone’s journey and reinforce the idea that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health.

Presenting as a high functioning professional living with depression and anxiety is a testament to resilience, strength, and adaptability. It reminds us that behind every composed exterior, there exists a profound internal journey deserving understanding, compassion, and support.

 If you're curious about life without anxiety or depression symptoms, sign up for your free 15-minute video consultation. It's an opportunity for us to connect and I’ll answer any questions you have to see if I'm a good fit to meet your therapy needs.