#21: High Functioning Anxiety When You Are a High Achiever with Dianne Everitt

Hello Therapy: Mental Health Tips For Personal Growth

Can relentless pursuit of success really lead to debilitating anxiety and burnout?
In this episode I am joined by Dianne Everitt, a Clinical Psychologist and expert in working with high achievers. We unpack the concept of high functioning anxiety, highlighting its differences from general anxiety, and the role it plays in driving performance and perfectionism in high achievers.

Feeling drained and unmotivated despite your usual high drive? Discover why burnout is more than just exhaustion, particularly in high-pressure corporate environments. We dissect the stark contrast between the typical ambition of high achievers and the apathy that comes with burnout.
We explore the additional challenges faced by high-achieving parents and the importance of unlearning lifelong roles to find balance, adjusting our standards and allowing ourselves the grace to let some tasks slide can significantly reduce stress.
This episode has a treasure trove of practical coping tips to reduce high functioning anxiety including self-compassion, setting boundaries, and expanding one's comfort zone.

About Dianne Everitt
Dianne is a Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Director of Dianne Everitt and Associates, a private psychology practice. After working in the NHS for a number of years with long term health conditions, Dianne set up her own practice in 2017. This has grown from strength to strength, and currently has a team of eight Psychologists. She is passionate about preventative strategies, and educating people about mental health.
Follow Dianne on Instagram

What would you like an episode on? Let us know!

***Check out Dr Liz White's YouTube channel for help with anxiety and OCD***

More free downloads and resources to support your mental health and wellbeing: https://www.harleyclinical.co.uk/free-mental-health-downloadable-guides
Join our email list for more mental health tips: https://mailchi.mp/harleyclinical/newsletter-sign-up
For private psychology services and therapy in person (London/Hertfordshire) or online, please visit Harley Clinical Psychology.
*****************
Subscribe to Dr Liz's YouTube channel
Follow Harley Clinical on Instagram
Follow Dr Liz White on TikTok
*****************
DISCLAIMER - The Hello Therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Liz White (DClinPsy, CPsychol, AFBPsS, CSci, HCPC reg.), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and does not constitute personalised advice. Please reach out to your GP or a mental health professional if you need support.

Chapter

1. #21: High Functioning Anxiety When You Are a High Achiever with Dianne Everitt (00:00:00)

2. Understanding High Functioning Anxiety (00:02:51)

3. Symptoms and Mechanisms of High Functioning Anxiety (00:04:27)

4. Stress and Burnout in High Achievers (00:05:31)

5. Recognizing Burnout Symptoms (00:07:32)

6. Approaching Burnout Recovery (00:11:19)

7. Challenges in Corporate Culture (00:13:36)

8. Perfectionism and Coping Mechanisms (00:21:26)

9. Understanding Family Roles and Responsibility (00:27:23)

10. Mechanisms of High Functioning Anxiety (00:28:23)

11. Adapting Functional Responses to New Contexts (00:29:03)

12. Challenges of Parenting with High Functioning Anxiety (00:30:31)

13. Managing Perfectionism and Burnout in Parenting (00:31:29)

14. The Inner Critic and Self-Compassion (00:36:05)

15. Men and High Functioning Anxiety (00:39:39)

16. Starting the Journey to Self-Understanding (00:42:32)

17. Expanding Your Comfort Zone (00:43:56)

18. Negotiating Support and Self-Care (00:45:31)

19. Final Takeaways and Reflections (00:50:26)