Living With High-Functioning Anxiety or Sensitivity
You may function well on the outside while carrying a constant sense of pressure internally. You get things done, think carefully, and often take responsibility — yet anxiety, tension, or mental fatigue never fully switch off.
Quietly Holding It All Together
- You seem capable on the outside, while carrying pressure or fatigue internally.
- Your mind stays active — replaying conversations, analysing, and anticipating what comes next.
- You put yourself last, and feel uneasy when you do not.
- After social time, you may feel drained rather than restored.
High-Functioning Anxiety and Sensitivity
High-functioning anxiety often involves appearing calm and capable while internally the mind remains active and pressure builds. For people who are more sensitive or deeply reflective, experiences can be felt more intensely and held for longer, making it harder to fully switch off.
Common Experiences
- Persistent overthinking or repetitive thoughts
- Sustained mental or emotional effort that leads to fatigue
- Difficulty relaxing or mentally disengaging
- High internal standards or self-critical thinking
- Restless sleep or difficulty settling at night
How We Can Work Together
- Reduce constant mental effort so the mind can settle more easily
- Identify what keeps anxiety active, including reactions that happen automatically
- Build a steadier internal baseline, rather than relying on coping strategies
- Improve the ability to rest and switch off, including at night
- Soften ongoing self-criticism and internal pressure
The work is practical and individual, shaped around what is most relevant for you.
Considering Next Steps
If you’d like to understand more about how sessions work and what the process is like, you can read What to Expect in a Session.
