Understanding the Difference Between High Functioning Anxiety and Perfectionism

If Only I Could…

If only I could be more organized, keep my home cleaner, and 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 unattainable 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 because 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:

• A rapid heartbeat

• Difficulty concentrating

• Racing thoughts

• Sweating

• Feelings of dread and worry

• Irritability and being easily angered

• Difficulty sleeping

• Fatigue

• Gastrointestinal distress

• 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 an absolute correlation between them. A perfectionist may:

• Get angry when something doesn’t turn out the way they expect

• Be extremely sensitive to any kind of feedback or criticism

• Exhibit rigid thinking

• Be overly critical of others

• Be very competitive

• Have unwarranted feelings of guilt or shame

Key Differences of Perfectionism & High-functioning Anxiety

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.

Anxiety Counseling at 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:

• Get grounded in your body and your surroundings

• Practice self-compassion

• 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.

Ready to Break Free from the Loop of Perfectionism and Anxiety?

You don’t have to keep pushing through the overwhelm alone. If you find yourself caught in the cycle of never feeling “good enough,” anxiety therapy can offer relief—and a path forward. At Mindful Mental and Behavioral Health PLLC, we’re here to support you with personalized anxiety counseling and medication management if needed. Let us help you untangle perfectionism from anxiety.

1. Contact us or schedule an appointment with us for anxiety treatment or perfectionism-related therapy.
2. Learn more anxiety management strategies by reading our blogs.
3. Take the first step toward healing and live a more peaceful, grounded life.

Other Services We Offer in Addition to Anxiety Therapy

At our Portland, OR office, we provide a range of services designed to support your mental health and well-being. In addition to anxiety treatment, our team of mental health professionals offers specialized bipolar treatment, depression counseling, and trauma therapy. We’re committed to creating a safe and understanding space where you can explore your experiences, develop effective coping strategies, and work toward greater emotional stability. If a combined approach suits your needs, our medication management services provide personalized treatment plans tailored to you. No matter the challenges you’re facing, we’re here to support you at every step.