If Only I Could…
If only I could be more organized, keep my home cleaner, have done that project more perfectly. It’s not good enough unless it’s perfect. We all know someone who’s a perfectionist. It could even be ourselves who cannot live up to our exacting, unforgiving standards. Whether we apply those expectations to ourselves or others, perfectionism can be an endless loop of trying harder to achieve an unobtainable standard, followed by feeling as though it hasn’t been achieved. The same cycle can occur with high-functioning anxiety, where you don’t feel good enough, and, regardless of the final outcome, it never meets the standards you have set. The entire process of both perfectionism and anxiety – especially high-functioning anxiety – can be unforgiving and exhausting.
Which is Which?
One effect of chronic stress is an increase in memory loss. Individuals who are in a constant state of stress tend to be more forgetful and less likely to remember specific information. Even continuous incidents of minor stress, such as being late for work, can impact short-term memory. This is due to the fact that our brains enter survival mode, so it does not have room to process sensory information.
You’re More Likely to Develop a Mental Health Condition
Like the chicken and the egg, which came first – anxiety or perfectionism? It can be difficult to tell because perfectionism and high-functioning anxiety can look alike and sometimes the signs of perfectionism and high-functioning anxiety can mimic each other. Research has shown that the two can be, but aren’t always, interrelated. Anxiety in all its forms is pretty common in the U.S. with as many as 19.1% of adults and up to 7% of children experiencing a level of anxiety that qualifies for a diagnosis. Nearly one in five adults has an anxiety disorder. While some anxiety disorders can be easier to see visibly (panic attacks for example) high-functioning anxiety is not. People with high-functioning anxiety often mask what they are feeling and push through it because they don’t want anyone to know what’s happening to them.
People with high-functioning anxiety might experience both emotional and physical symptoms such as:
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A rapid heartbeat
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Difficulty concentrating
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Racing thoughts
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Sweating
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Feelings of dread and worry
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Irritability and being easily angered
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Difficulty sleeping
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Fatigue
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Gastrointestinal distress
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Changes in appetite
Most people with high-functioning anxiety hide these symptoms so well that others aren’t aware of what they’re experiencing.
Perfectionism can be linked to anxiety and there is research indicating that the two sometimes go together, but there isn’t absolute correlation between them. A perfectionist may:
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Get angry when something doesn’t turn out the way they expect
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Be extremely sensitive to any kind of feedback or criticism
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Exhibit rigid thinking
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Be overly critical of others
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Be very competitive
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Have unwarranted feelings of guilt or shame
Key Differences
While perfectionism and high-functioning anxiety can co-occur, they are not the same. Perfectionism often involves setting extremely high or unrealistic standards, fear of failure, self-criticism, hyper-focus on perceived shortcomings, and chronic dissatisfaction. On the other hand, high-functioning anxiety often involves outward success coupled with masked excessive worry. Individuals with high-functioning anxiety may appear calm on the outside despite internal feelings of dread or doom.
Being able to differentiate between perfectionism and high-functioning anxiety can be a major step in enhancing self-awareness, developing healthy coping skills, and seeking the most beneficial support. When receiving support from mental health professionals, perfectionism may benefit from therapy and counseling centered around setting realistic standards, facing fear of failure, and improving self-esteem. On the other hand, high-functioning anxiety may benefit from anxiety therapy that addresses excessive worry and difficulty controlling worry.
Mindful Mental and Behavioral Health PLLC
Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, or a combination of both, there is support to help you manage your symptoms and live a happier, easier life. The therapists and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) at Mindful Mental and Behavioral Health PLLC can help you learn techniques to:
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Get grounded in your body and your surroundings
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Practice self-compassion
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Be comfortable with imperfection in all areas of your life
Our PMHNPs can provide comprehensive medication management services if needed, too. Our goal is to create a safe, compassionate space where you are seen and heard. Contact us or schedule an appointment with us for anxiety treatment or perfectionism-related therapy.
