The hidden struggle.
This isn't just psychological; it's physiological.
High functioning anxiety describes people who experience significant anxiety internally but appear to be managing life well on the outside. They often excel at work or school, maintain relationships, and meet their responsibilities—so their struggles aren't always visible to others. These symptoms may be related to developmental experiences (family, health, community, broader cultural systems) that have caused distress that is still experienced today. Internally there is often a harsh inner critic providing constant commentary about being either “too much” or “not enough”.
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Setting extremely high standards for yourself.
You may take on extra projects or work late into the night.
There’s often a fear of being “found out” as inadequate.
May struggle to delegate, needing to control details.
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Replaying interactions scanning for mistakes.
People pleasing.
Avoiding conflict and/or creating conflict.
Perfectionism.
Difficulty trusting.
Fear of vulnerability
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Chronic tension.
Digestive issues, headaches, trouble sleeping.
Staying constantly busy.
Reliance on coping mechanisms (exercise, alcohol, staying over scheduled)
Feeling disconnected from your body.
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Inner Critic.
Racing thoughts, especially at night.
Trouble decision-making.
Feeling on edge.
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Often a sense of wearing a mask - appearing calm, capable, and put together while feeling chaotic and overwhelmed inside.
These aren’t thought pattern you can simply think your way out of.
The nervous system gets stuck in heightened arousal, which we experience as anxiety. It’s actually an adaptation that was protective at one time.
People with complex histories often experience anxiety that feels pervasive and hard to pin down. There’s often anxiety around abandonment, rejection, or feeling not good enough.
Recovery often involves helping the nervous system recalibrate - learning that anxiety isn’t the enemy but rather information from a system that’s been working overtime to protect you. It’s about building a sense of safety from the inside out.
Somatic EMDR for Anxiety can address underlying experiences that keep your nervous system on high alert. Many people find the anxiety they’ve lived with for years begins to shift in meaningful ways.
What changes might look like:
You may notice anxious thoughts lose their intensity. Physical symptoms like tension, racing heart, or that constant knot in your stomach ease. Sleep frequently improves as your nervous system learns to settle. Many people describe feeling less reactive to triggers that used to send them spiraling. The gap between something happening and your response widens, giving you more choice in how you react. Worries about the future may become less consuming as past experiences that fueled them get reprocessed.
Anxiety often has layers. Through this process you will find yourself able to breath more easily, trust yourself more, and feel more present in your life.
