You’ve arrived. The day has finally come when you are taking the next steps and you can’t wait for all that the future holds for you. School, new friends, new freedoms & adventures await you!
The Drive For Excellence
You’ve crossed many hurdles already to reach this point in your education and moving into your professional life. You’ve already shown resilience, strength, problem-solving and decision-making ability, and determination.
As you start down the road to your chosen profession, you naturally want to do the very best you can. It’s common to feel intense internal pressure to learn everything you can, to pass all your tests with flying colors, and to impress your teachers so you have the best shot at the best programs and job opportunities.
This drive towards excellence can produce greatness. But it can also have a darker side - the slippery slope into perfectionism and high-functioning anxiety. Inside Wellness understands the dark side of the drive for excellence and our team of skilled therapists are here to help.
Perfectionism and High-Functioning Anxiety, A Slippery Slope
At Inside Wellness in Utah County, our team of skilled therapists work with many students from BYU, U.V.U. and University of Utah, and other schools and universities who work hard to excel in their studies…but also have a more private struggle between aiming for excellence and perfection. The line between the two can easily become blurry, especially when you’re sleep-deprived and mentally exhausted from maintaining constant focus.
If you’re feeling the push and pull of this struggle, you are not alone. Perfectionism is a common problem among high-achievers (which many undergraduates and college students are), and often goes hand in hand with high-functioning anxiety.
What is Perfectionism?
Perfectionism involves constantly trying to be perfect and produce perfect results, rarely (if ever) acknowledging your successes or achievements, and never being satisfied with your accomplishments.
Although that might seem to be a fast track to professional and personal success, the problem is that perfection is impossible to attain. This relentless internal pressure to be perfect starts to wear you down mentally, emotionally, and even physically. It can start to affect your relationships, both personal and professional. It can affect you to such an extent that you become disillusioned and lose your passion and motivation for your studies, causing you to wonder why you even started down this road in the first place. Burnout and dropping out of school become constant, looming threats.
What is High-Functioning Anxiety?
In the pursuit of perfection, this spiraling cycle of obsessive thoughts and behaviors often results in high-functioning anxiety: a person who lives with anxiety but feels they are still able to function in other areas of the life.
The combination of perfectionism and high-functioning anxiety can make you feel exhausted and trapped, with your enjoyment of life and your studies slowly draining away.
You Are not Alone, Therapy for Perfectionism and High-Functioning Anxiety Can Help
The good news is that these two challenges can absolutely be helped and improved. A licensed mental health therapist who specializes in helping individuals with perfectionism and high-functioning anxiety will be able to gently and empathetically listen and guide you towards restoring balance.
Locations in Utah
If you currently live in Park City, Salt Lake City, Holladay, Millcreek, Murray, Sandy, Provo, Orem, Lehi, or Draper, you likely have access to one of the most experienced and specialized therapy practices in the state.
Specializations in Treating Perfectionism and High-Functioning Anxiety
Inside Wellness’ team of counselors specialize in therapy for students struggling with perfectionism, high-functioning anxiety, and eating disorders. Our therapists’ training includes therapy modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), talk therapy, and other therapy approaches proven to help with perfectionism and high-functioning anxiety.
If you are an undergraduate or college student and you need confidential help to overcome perfectionism and high-functioning anxiety, Inside Wellness can help.
Begin Therapy for Perfectionism in Utah
Seeking high-functioning anxiety treatment can be the first step to being successful not only in school but also in life. Therapy for students in Utah is available with our team of well-trained counselors! Follow the steps below to get connected with someone who can help you successfully navigate the pressures and expectations of graduate school.
If you're ready to get started, you can follow these simple steps:
Reach out to us about scheduling a free 15-minute phone consultation.
Learn more about our counseling services and the members of our team.
Get set up with a counselor who is right for you!
Additional Services Offered at Inside Wellness
Schedule a call today with our Care Coordinator, who will work with you to find the right therapist match for you.