Calmly Coping

The Cycle of High-Functioning Anxiety (and How to Finally Break It)

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Oct 15, 2025
Dive into the nuanced cycle of high-functioning anxiety, where constant overthinking and a fear of inadequacy keep you on a never-ending treadmill. Discover how the four stages—from anxiety and overdoing to negative self-criticism—interconnect in a downward spiral. Learn practical strategies to interrupt these patterns and the importance of awareness in facilitating change. Small, consistent adjustments can lead to meaningful shifts, helping you reclaim your sense of calm and balance!
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INSIGHT

The Hamster-Wheel Feeling

  • High-functioning anxiety feels like running on a hamster wheel of constant doing without peace.
  • The cycle operates automatically until you can see and interrupt it.
INSIGHT

Fear Starts The Loop

  • The cycle often begins with fear: fear of failure, letting others down, or not being enough.
  • That fear triggers urgent anxiety that pushes you to prepare for worst-case scenarios.
ANECDOTE

Email Triggers Overworking Example

  • Tati gives an example where a boss's email triggers thoughts like "what if they think I'm not keeping up?".
  • She describes staying up late rewriting a report or tinkering with slides instead of sending them.
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