11 Signs of Anxious High Achievers by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT
What is it?
To be driven can be a wonderful quality. An individual who’s drive is fueled by stress or worry-filled thoughts might be an anxious high achiever. The individual might find themselves pushing themself harder so that they can achieve success, to ensure that things go as perfectly as possible, or so that they do not let others down. The individual might find that their anxious high achievement is troublesome when it’s decreasing their life satisfaction or leading to overwhelm, distress, or burnout.
If you relate to some of these, you might be an anxious high achiever:
Has trouble saying no to others
Is goal driven or gets satisfaction from completing tasks
Experiences worried thoughts that others may not know about
Holds in, or hides, their stress and anxiety from others
Has trouble relaxing or resting
Enjoys learning or embraces a growth mindset
Distracts or keeps busy
Is concerned about being seen as incompetent
Is a people pleaser
Has trouble setting limits and boundaries with themself, others, work, or school
Attempts to be prepared for situations that may not require it
Why does it matter?
It can lead to feeling drained, fatigued, or burnt out
The fear and doubt can become overwhelming
Decreases satisfaction
Affects personal or professional relationships
Leaves little to no room for self-care
Can lead to an inefficient use of time or time management
Things to consider:
You can be successful and prioritize your self-care, personal life, or personal relationships
There might be underlying sources that are fueling your high achieving behavior
There are strategies to assist so that you do not experience overwhelm and burnout
Therapy can assist with exploring what is influencing high achieving behavior, how to manage it, and how to move forward in a way that is in line with your needs and values
You don’t have to do this alone. If you are interested in receiving therapy with me, let’s schedule a free 15-minute phone consult.
My office is located in Irvine, which is near Newport Beach, Orange, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Tustin, Seal Beach, and beyond. I work with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and Asian American & Pacific Islanders.
Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. The topics being discussed are meant as a self-help tool for you own use. It is not psychotherapy or counseling. This information is to be used based on your own judgment. If you need to speak with a professional, you should find one local to you and contact them directly.
**IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY NUMBER OR GO TO YOUR NEAREST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. **