It took me many years to realize that I had anxiety.
Anxiety -The American Psychological Association (APA) defines anxiety as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure.” (Citation 1 )
I’m a first child and a recovering perfectionist. However, I still give af what people think about me and sometimes too much although I’ve shed a lot of that. I just know I do what I do and I do it well and that shows up. I pride myself on integrity. I first noticed my anxiety my senior year of college. A situation stressed me out so much that I began to stutter and a mild case of strep throat manifested in the most severe symptoms.
I didn’t think they showed up when I got sick but in hindsight I realized it was showing up in over functioning but we’ll get to that soon.
The next time I really had anxiety that I realized was about a year ago and again it showed up and made me have physical symptoms related to my digestion. Thankfully, this time I was in therapy and could work thru it with additional help.
The next time I really had anxiety that I realized was about a year ago and again it showed up and made me have physical symptoms related to my digestion.
I was on instagram the other week and I saw Myleik talking about being over functioning and an overworked. She asked were we overfunctioners. I thought for a second and voted no with conviction. Then she posted examples of things overfunctioners do…this list shook me. I instantly knew I had made the wrong choice. My over functioning wanted me to be able to correct my answers. LOL THANKFULLY she polled again at the end and asked up to re-evaluate.
I immediately went to find that article and more information. Here are the things from the list that most resonated with me and probably will with you too.
Reposted from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/everything-isnt-terrible/201910/are-you-overfunctioner
Using phrases like “no worries” in emails to calm other people down.
Finishing people’s sentences when they’re anxious.
Giving advice to a distressed friend who hasn’t asked for any.
Always picking the restaurant for your friend group.
Doing something for someone they can do, because it will take less time.
Taking on a task at work because teaching another staff member will be frustrating.
Being overly accommodating when people need to reschedule meetings.
Not sharing important beliefs to prevent making others anxious.
Taking over a family tradition because you can do it better.
Explaining someone else’s thinking in a work meeting when they’re present.
Getting control of this is kind of like being addicted to food. I have to get control of taking too much control. Whew child. The ghetto.
This is how I’ve been processing through stuff.
I sat with myself and thought through how I wanted things to go and why overfunctioning wasn't serving me.
I started putting small things into action and sitting in the discomfort.
I had to realize the discomfort was growth that allowed me to get to a better quality of life
Celebrating the wins on the other side of the discomfort.
While it hasn't been 100% victory, I'm getting better and better at it.
Citation 1 -https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323454