ABOUT THIS EPISODE
What high functioning actually hides is something I hear about every week as a licensed therapist, especially from high-achieving women who look like they have everything handled. For World Mental Health Day, I talk about high-functioning anxiety, where held-in stress goes when we finally slow down, what the science says about scream clubs, and how to know when stress relief isn't enough and it's time for therapy.
What You'll Learn
✅ Why high-functioning anxiety isn't in the DSM-5, and why so many high-achieving women still recognize themselves in it
✅ The signs high functioning hides, from a clenched jaw to sitting in the driveway before walking inside
✅ Where held-in stress goes when we slow down, including tears in savasana and anger aimed at the people closest to us
✅ What the science says about scream clubs and why screaming feels like relief
✅ How to tell when stress relief isn't enough and it's time to reach out to a therapist
✅ How to check on a friend or colleague whose automatic answer is "I'm good"
✅ Why our expectations drive high functioning, and which ones we can put down at home
✅ A guided reflection to notice where your body holds stress and choose one expectation to let go of this week
Chapters
00:00 Scream Clubs Hook
00:39 Podcast Welcome
01:11 World Mental Health Day
01:45 Yoga Tears Story
02:42 High Functioning Anxiety
03:53 Signs It Shows Up
05:38 When It Spills Over
06:45 Why Screaming Helps
08:00 Scream Vs Therapy
09:23 Support A Friend
10:16 Drop The Expectations
11:35 Resources And Coping
12:01 Guided Check In
13:13 Closing Thoughts
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ABOUT ME
I'm Vanessa, the therapist who helps high-achieving adults become the best version of themselves, not just at work, but in the rooms that matter most. I host the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, named the #1 Latino Mental Health Podcast in 2026 by Feedspot.
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DISCLAIMER
Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.
