12 Signs That You Have Hidden High-Functioning Anxiety Without Even Knowing It

Nov 30, 2018

We all develop habits that help us keep things in order and get through the day. These habits are normal unless they are caused by fear. High-functioning anxiety is dangerous because the warning signs are sometimes difficult to detect.

The following twelve habits may seem harmless. However, they are sometimes a sign of high-functioning anxiety.

Indulging in your favorite breakfast cereal is a great start to any day. However, it is probably not the best way to start every day of your life. You should be especially concerned if the thought of a different breakfast causes you to become nervous or feel anxious.

Add new ingredients to a meal you eat repeatedly. For instance, fruit can be eaten along with granola. You can also add a little excitement to plain toast with chocolate sprinkles.

Anxiety produces feelings of tension that has to be released. Many stress behaviors can result from this tension. These behaviors can include biting nails, chewing your own lip, or playing in your hair. These habits can be an indicator that your subconscious mind is trying to get rid of inner anxiety.

A routine that helps you stay organized and maintain focus is a good thing. But when these actions become too strict or something you are compelled to do over and over, the ritual could be harmful. Pay close attention to your feelings when you attempt to deviate from your normal routine. If you experience stress or panic, you could be a sufferer of high-functioning anxiety.

You can begin to regain control over these rituals by making a slight change in the routine. Put your pillow in a different place or don't make up your bed for the day.

It is a good idea to make a list if you do not want to forget a necessary task. The problem begins when to-do lists are made just for the sake of having something to cross off the list. Checklists provide a way to exercise control and many people make them an essential part of their day. However, you should not freak out if you are not able to cross an assigned task off your list.

It is easy to lose track of time when you spend much of it making sure all things are perfect. You may spend time making sure your hair is flawless, your bed is made just right, or the clothes are properly arranged in your closet. When these activities cause you to become unaware of the time that is passing, it could be an indicator of the high level of anxiety you possess.

Sleep maintenance insomnia is when a person repeatedly wakes up early this morning. This is sometimes a normal condition due to the fact many of us don't need as much sleep as we desire. However, it can also be a sign of psychological distress when the events of life began to cause excess stress and anxiety.

It is well past midnight, your bed is warm and comfortable, but you are unable to fall asleep. Many of us know this frustration. Multiple factors can cause problems sleeping but anxiety is a main source of this discomfort. Individuals with high-functioning anxiety are in a constant state of worry that makes it hard to claim their own mind at night.

We are all prone to a little laziness from time to time. This laziness will sometimes cause us to delay tasks that could be completed sooner. But for anxiety sufferers, this procrastination becomes a common part of their lives. Individuals with high-functioning anxiety have a fear of poor performance that causes them to put off tasks that could often be completed easily.

It is completely normal to seek wisdom from family and friends when faced with a critical decision. However, you should not possess a need to call or text someone for every small thing that occurs in your life. The constant need for help or advice is a possible sign of high-functioning anxiety. A fear of making decisions can also be a sign of low self-esteem.

We have all searched the internet for relationship tips or the symptoms of an illness. It is not normal, however, to google every single thing that happens to you. A browser history filled with searches for things like why there are three small dots on your elbow or how to win back the love of my life may be a sign of high-functioning anxiety.

Nervous individuals will often sit close to exits when frequenting public places. The reason for this tendency is it allows them to enjoy public places without becoming overwhelmed. Individuals that display this behavior should closely monitor it. This sign of anxiety is a risk factor for claustrophobia.

This action has elements of compulsion to it and could also be a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder. This behavior is not to be confused with normal things like checking again to make sure the iron is unplugged or making sure the lights are not on in the bathroom. This behavior becomes serious when your mind is filled with 'worst case' scenarios. The behavior combined with these thoughts is a clear sign of anxiety.

Do you display any of the habits in the article? Do you know people that exhibit these behaviors? Send this article to your friends and family. Many people suffer from high-functioning anxiety unknowingly - you never know who may need to read this right now,

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!