Published on 14 October, 2025
When she’s not hiding out at a café or having funny little conversations with her three children, June can be found editing articles or dreaming up podcast episodes for Focus on the Family Singapore.
Adeline is a 35-year-old working mum of two. She’s known among her friends as the “go-to” person — dependable, efficient, always on top of things. At work, she’s praised for her attention to detail and her ability to juggle multiple projects. But what people don’t see is the toll it takes.
Every night, Adeline lies awake replaying conversations, worrying if she said the wrong thing. She feels guilty for not spending enough time with her kids, anxious about missing deadlines, and constantly fears she’s not doing enough — even when she’s exhausted.
She didn’t think she needed therapy. “I’m functioning, right?” she told herself. But the emotional strain was building. Eventually, she reached out for help and is currently on the journey to a stronger, more resilient self.
High-functioning anxiety can be tricky to spot — even by those who live with it. You might look calm, capable, and successful on the outside, but inside, it’s a different story: constant worry, a relentless drive for perfection, and a deep fear of letting others down.
Even among youths in Singapore, it was found that more than a quarter experienced severe or extremely severe anxiety symptoms. The prevalence was higher among females (28.9%) than males (25%) and peaked in the 20-24 age group (34.1%). This is according to the National Youth Mental Health Study (NYMHS).
The good news is, anxiety can be treated. You’re not alone — and you don’t have to keep pushing through in silence.
Here are some common signs of high-functioning anxiety that often go unnoticed:
If any of these sound familiar, it might be time to take a pause and check in with yourself.
Without support, high-functioning anxiety can lead to burnout, strained relationships, and even physical health issues related to the gastrointestinal tract due to the gut-brain-axis. It is also extremely common for people to delay seeking help because they feel they “should” be able to handle things on their own, until of course, they can’t.
You might find yourself saying, “I just need to push through and I’ll be fine,” but over time, putting such consistently high pressure on yourself can take a toll on your sense of well-being and erode any supportive self-care practices previously present.
When anxiety is left unaddressed, it doesn’t simply fade away. Instead, it can quietly erode your emotional and physical well-being. You might notice:
Therapy isn’t just for when things fall apart; it’s actually a proactive step toward emotional wellness. Counselling can provide you with a safe, non-judgmental space to unpack your thoughts and feelings, and to understand the patterns that keep you stuck.
Approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based grounding techniques can help you:
Therapy can be a game-changer when it comes to high-functioning anxiety — not because it fixes everything overnight, but because it helps you feel more resourced, more grounded, and more like yourself.
Dr Jared Tan, Principal Clinical Psychologist at Focus on the Family Singapore explains:
“People with high-functioning anxiety often feel like they’re holding everything together — but inside, they’re running on empty. Therapy helps them slow down, tune into their emotions, and learn healthier ways to cope and thrive. It’s not about changing who they are, but helping them feel safe enough to be themselves, how it is okay to have needs, and to care for their needs with compassion.”
At Focus on the Family Singapore, we believe mental health support should be accessible to all. That’s why we offer trusted and affordable counselling, with no hidden charges or GST.
You can choose from:
At the first counselling session, we would typically cover these areas:
Whether you’re just starting out or need deeper support, we’re here to walk with you. You don’t have to keep carrying the weight alone. Book a session today and begin your journey toward calm, clarity, and a healthier you.
When she’s not hiding out at a café or having funny little conversations with her three children, June can be found editing articles or dreaming up podcast episodes for Focus on the Family Singapore.
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