High Functioning Anxiety is Still Anxiety

Just because you “look fine” doesn’t mean you aren’t struggling inside. High-functioning anxiety is real anxiety, it’s not just about panic attacks or obvious distress. Many high-achieving BIPOC women manage to keep everything together on the outside while feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and constantly on edge within.

Busting the Myth

The myth that anxiety always looks a certain way can make those with high-functioning anxiety feel invisible or misunderstood. They may excel at work, maintain busy schedules, and meet expectations yet internally experience chronic worry, muscle tension, and difficulty sleeping. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, nearly 6.8 million adults in the US live with generalized anxiety disorder and many go undiagnosed because their symptoms are less obvious (ADAA 2023).

What Science Tells Us

Studies show high-functioning anxiety is associated with increased stress hormones, sleep disturbances, and impaired concentration, which can reduce quality of life even when productivity remains high (Harvard Medical School 2022). It can also contribute to burnout and depression if left unaddressed (Eysenck et al. 2007).

For BIPOC women, this struggle is compounded by systemic pressures to perform, racial microaggressions, and the emotional labor of navigating cultural expectations. These factors contribute to increased vulnerability to anxiety disorders and make therapy a critical space for healing and empowerment (Williams et al. 2018).

You’re Not Alone

If you relate to feeling “fine” on the outside but wrecked inside, therapy can help. At Balens Therapy, we provide culturally sensitive, evidence-based care to support your mental wellness and reclaim your peace.

Ready to start your healing journey?
Book a free consultation today and take the first step.

Works Cited

Anxiety and Depression Association of America. “Facts and Statistics.” ADAA, 2023, www.adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics.

Eysenck, Michael W., et al. “Anxiety and Cognitive Performance: Attentional Control Theory.” Emotion, vol. 7, no. 2, 2007, pp. 336–353.

Harvard Medical School. “Understanding Anxiety Disorders.” Harvard Health Publishing, 2022.

Williams, Michelle T., et al. “Culturally Sensitive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders in Diverse Populations.” Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, vol. 25, no. 1, 2018, pp. e12219.