The Hidden Struggle of High-Functioning Anxiety with Dr Lalitaa Suglani

Today we’re talking about something that so many people silently live with: high-functioning anxiety - that feeling of looking like you’ve got it all together on the outside, while inside you’re paddling furiously just to keep afloat. I’m joined by Dr Lalitaa Suglani, psychologist and author, and we unpack why “high functioning” isn’t the same as “fine” - and how perfectionism, people-pleasing and constant doing can be a way of keeping ourselves safe, even when it’s slowly burning us out.

In this conversation, Lalitaa shares the signs to look out for, how high-functioning anxiety differs from generalised anxiety, OCD and even overlaps with sensitivity and ADHD, and why so much of it comes back to self-worth, shame, and nervous system regulation. We also get into rejection sensitivity, attachment styles, and what healing actually looks like - not a sudden switch-off, but learning to come back to yourself with intention, boundaries, and self-trust.

Find Lalitaa:

Website: https://drlalitaa.com/

Instagram: @dr.lalitaa

Order Her Book: https://drlalitaa.com/lalitaa/highfunctioninganxiety

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