Support for High-Achieving Women
You are a successful woman who’s set ambitious goals and consistently works hard to achieve them. Coworkers, friends, and family see you as driven, dedicated, and dependable and you are known for your strong work ethic, resilience, and ability to overcome challenges. It is not like you to settle for less and you’re always striving to improve, learn, and grow.
However, being a high-achieving woman also means navigating the pressures and expectations that come with success. From the outside, it looks like you have it all together—strong, confident, and always pushing forward. But inside, it feels like a constant pressure to maintain that image. You often quietly hide feelings of anxiety, perfectionism, and a fear of failure that push you to continue striving for excellence. You wonder how long you can keep up without falling apart. You don’t want to let yourself or anyone else down, so you keep going. Day after day.
Can you relate?
If so, take a deep breath. Let down your guard for a few minutes and let us help.
When Can High-Achieving Women Benefit from Support?
When anxiety kicks in for high-achieving women, it might not meet full criteria for an anxiety disorder diagnosis, but that doesn’t mean it’s harmless. It is often referred to as high-functioning anxiety and it can hold you back from your fullest potential, stopping you from enjoying the life you’ve worked so hard to create.
Women with high-functioning anxiety often experience symptoms like:
- Excessive worry
- Fear
- Overthinking
- Difficulty relaxing
- Insomnia or trouble sleeping
When driven by fear of failure and disappointing others, it eventually catches up with you.
What Causes High-Functioning Anxiety in Women?
Various factors can lead to anxiety, including:
- Genetics
- Brain chemistry
- Personality
- Early childhood experiences (such as critical or demanding parents)
- Traumatic life events
- High-stress jobs
Relationship issues, financial concerns, job stress, internal insecurities, or low self-esteem can also trigger anxiety.High-functioning anxiety in high-achieving women often hides behind a polished exterior, making it difficult to recognize even within yourself. Despite appearing successful, composed, and confident, you might be grappling with an array of internal struggles.
Here’s what high-functioning anxiety might look like in your everyday life:
Perfectionism
You set extremely high standards for yourself, often striving for flawless results. This can lead to spending excessive amounts of time on tasks, such as re-reading emails multiple times or working long hours on projects. The fear of making mistakes might make you hesitant to delegate tasks or cause you to procrastinate, fearing that your work won’t be good enough.
Overthinking
You might find yourself constantly second-guessing decisions, whether they’re related to your career, relationships, or daily tasks. Overanalyzing every detail can lead to mental exhaustion and indecisiveness, making it difficult to move forward with confidence.
Workaholism
Your drive to be productive might push you to work long hours and struggle to disconnect from work, even during your personal time. You might fill your schedule with additional responsibilities, leaving little room for true relaxation and self-care.
Fear of Failure and Letting Others Down
The fear of failure can be overwhelming. You might feel an intense pressure to meet both your own expectations and those of others. This fear can prevent you from taking risks or trying new things, leaving you feeling stuck or unfulfilled despite your achievements.
Struggling to Relax and Feeling Guilty About Self-Care
Relaxation might feel like a foreign concept to you. When you try to unwind, guilt or anxiety may creep in, making you feel like you should be doing something more productive. This constant pressure can lead to chronic stress, burnout, and even physical health issues like tension headaches, digestive problems, or sleep disturbances.
Assuming the Worst
You might find yourself jumping to worst-case scenarios in various situations. A delayed response to a text might make you worry that a relationship is in jeopardy, or an unexpected meeting request from your boss might make you fear for your job. This constant worry can overshadow the positive aspects of your life, making it hard to enjoy your successes.
Maintaining a “Perfect” Image
Externally, you may maintain an image of having it all together—always showing up early, staying late, and volunteering for extra work. However, this perfect image can mask the internal struggles you face, making it difficult to ask for help or admit when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Nervous Habits
You might have developed nervous habits like nail-biting, hair-pulling, or fidgeting as a way to cope with underlying anxiety. These habits can be subtle indicators of the stress you’re managing internally.
Difficulty Setting Boundaries
Saying “no” might be incredibly challenging for you. You may feel compelled to take on more than you can handle, fearing that you’ll disappoint others or fail to live up to your own high expectations. This can lead to overcommitment and a sense of being constantly overwhelmed.
Imposter Syndrome
Despite your accomplishments, you might struggle with feelings of imposter syndrome. You may worry that you don’t truly deserve your success and live in fear of being exposed as a fraud. This self-doubt can drive you to work even harder, perpetuating the cycle of anxiety.
In your daily life, high-functioning anxiety can be a hidden struggle, overshadowed by your success and the image of control you project. While you may seem confident and accomplished on the outside, you might be grappling with significant anxiety that impacts your overall well-being. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward finding the support you need to manage high-functioning anxiety and reclaiming a sense of balance in your life.
Tips to Overcome High-Functioning Anxiety
Acknowledge and Accept
Recognize that high-functioning anxiety is a real issue for you. Accepting it is the first step towards managing it effectively.
Set Boundaries and Prioritize Self-Care
Learn to say “no” and set clear boundaries to protect your time and energy. Prioritize self-care activities that help you relax and recharge.
Challenge Perfectionism and Reframe Thoughts
Challenge perfectionistic tendencies and aim for progress, not flawlessness. Practice positive reframing to shift negative thoughts to more balanced perspectives.
Focus on Your Values
Align your actions with your core values and what truly matters to you. This can help create a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Talk to a Professional
Therapy can be effective for helping with fear of failure, building self-confidence, overcoming perfectionism, and managing high-functioning anxiety.
How Can Therapy Help?
Therapy isn't reserved for only those with “serious” mental health disorders. It can support you in understanding how anxiety affects your life, reframing unhelpful thoughts, uncovering its root causes, and developing effective coping strategies and healthy boundaries.
You’re achieving remarkable things and you deserve to fully enjoy them while feeling your best. We’re here to help you feel as strong internally as you appear externally.
