Do you overthink or worry a lot? Are you a planner?你是完美主义者吗？Do you always meet deadlines—even earlier than expected?
你could be an over-achiever, but you may also have high-functioning anxiety. Behind your calm, Zen-like exterior, there’s a roller coaster of fear, anxiety and self-doubt within.
高功能的焦虑是什么?
高功能焦虑是许多患有焦虑但设法在工作，家里和人际关系中表现出色的人面临的隐藏问题。高功能焦虑并不被认为是一种心理健康状况，但这并不意味着应该忽略它。
“It’s not recognized as a DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder), but it is essential to recognize and treat because these signs and symptoms can affect people’s quality of life,” said Srinivas Dannaram, MD, a psychiatrist with禁止ner Thunderbird Medical Centerin Glendale, AZ.
Anxiety on its own is a natural emotion when it doesn’t affect you or cause distress. It can help you avoid potentially dangerous situations or plan and stay motivated to complete tasks. But if you suffer from high-functioning anxiety, you are like a duck calmly floating on the water with your legs paddling frantically just below the surface. You might appear in control and engaged, but underneath you’re just fighting to get through the day.
“Typically, one with high functioning anxiety is a good planner who aims to get things done in time; however, as the person is used to a level of anxiety with all the physical and psychological symptoms hidden, any added stress could lead them to snap out or lose track of things,” Dr. Dannaram said. “People with high-functioning anxiety, due to lack of insight or understanding, suffer from all symptoms silently, always on the brink of burnout.”
高功能焦虑的体征和症状是什么？
如果您要踢屁股并取名，但结果却被烧毁了，那么您可能容易出现这种焦虑。如果您对自己说：“我只需要解决这个问题”或“我只是要掌权”，这可能是您的老板或同事来称赞的，但现实是您可能正在受苦。
To make a formal diagnosis, you’ll want to see a licensed behavioral health specialist who can rule out other possible factors, but below is a list of 12 signs and symptoms to be aware of:
- 至少六个月，您在大多数日子里都会过度焦虑或担心。
- 你r restlessness sometimes makes you jittery or shaky.
- 你aretired or exhausted在高水平的压力之后。
- 当事情不按计划进行时，您会烦躁。
- 您有肌肉紧张，包括握紧拳头和下巴
- 你have睡眠问题- 要么没有足够的时间，要醒来，不会倒下睡眠，也不会入睡。
- 您总是处于边缘，甚至跳跃。
- 您一次谈论多件事。
- 您发现很难委派或信任他人完成任务。
- 你’re a harsh critic or have unrelenting standards.
- 你使用酒精或应付物质。
“具有高功能焦虑的人可能会经历其中一些症状，但仍然能够发挥作用并实现目标；然而，焦虑驱动的成功是以整体健康和保健为代价。”丹纳拉姆博士说。“这可能导致疲劳，疲倦，最终倦怠和沮丧。”
What causes high-functioning anxiety?
Dannaram博士说：“焦虑和高功能焦虑的原因通常是由于遗传和环境因素引起的。”“有些可以追溯到过去的经历。”
Some of the common risk factors for high-functioning anxiety include:
- A family history of anxiety disorders
- 某些身体状况，最常见于甲状腺问题
- 在有触发因素的环境中成长，例如让父母或兄弟姐妹患有焦虑
- Substance and alcohol abuse
- Shyness in childhood
应对和治疗高功能焦虑的技巧
Dannaram博士说：“可以通过治疗，生活方式的改变和药物来治疗其他焦虑症的焦虑，这取决于严重程度。”
For mild to moderate, he suggested the following:
- Regular exercise
- A consistent sleep schedule
- Scheduled relaxation and meditation
- Being mindful of workload and timelines
“These aspects improve sleep quality and reduce daytime tiredness and anxiety,” Dr. Dannaram said.
对于严重的焦虑，使用cognitive behavioral therapy, or talk therapy, and prescription medications can be effective at helping manage symptoms. “A behavioral health specialist can help you understand your anxiety, teach you how to manage symptoms, set goals and assess your progress,” Dr. Dannaram said. “Medications that treat anxiety disordersare helpful. These include SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) in the long-term and benzodiazepines and beta-blockers in the short-term.”
[Also read: “该寻求帮助的10个原因.”]
Bottomline
Don’t just get by with your anxiety, get help. Even if you’re excelling at work or at home, you are doing so at the expense of your overall health and wellbeing. Being overworked and overwhelmed isn’t a badge of honor.
High-functioning anxiety may not be a specific condition, but it doesn’t mean you don’t have something going on in your life. If you’re feeling anxious, burned out or have any of the symptoms mentioned above, reach out to your health care provider or a licensed behavioral health specialist who can get you on the path toward relief.
Also read:
- 我的孩子是健康成就者还是完美主义者？
- Good Stress vs. Bad Stress: How Can You Tell the Difference?
- Is It Just Stress or Are My Hormones Out of Whack?
- Can Certain Foods Increase Stress and Anxiety?
