Living With High Functioning Anxiety | Jordan Raskopoulos | TEDxSydney

Summary

In this TED Talk, the speaker humorously contrasts their confidence on stage with their struggles offstage due to anxiety. They discuss how they thrive in public speaking but face 'life fright' in everyday social situations. The speaker shares personal anecdotes about coping with anxiety, including challenges in social settings, procrastination, and the need for structured environments. They also highlight the paradox of being both shy and loud, as well as the strength gained from managing anxiety. The talk combines humor, vulnerability, and insights into the complexities of mental health.

Takeaways

• 🎤 The speaker loves performing on stage and feels at home there, despite having an anxiety disorder.
• 🗣️ People often misunderstand mental health issues, reducing them to stereotypes like 'crazy' for mentally ill or 'sad' for depressed.
• 🤯 The speaker experiences anxiety in everyday situations, not on stage, which challenges the common perception of anxiety.
• 👥 'Shy loud' is a term the speaker uses to describe people who are shy in private but loud on stage, reflecting the complexity of social anxiety.
• 💼 High-functioning anxiety can lead to high achievement because of a fear of failure and a heightened sense of worry.
• 📈 The speaker finds that managing anxiety involves focusing on one thing at a time, which is easier on stage than in daily life.
• 📆 Procrastination is a coping mechanism for the speaker, where the work is done mentally before it is physically executed.
• 🤔 The speaker's anxiety makes simple tasks mentally draining, which is a common experience for those with high-functioning anxiety.
• 🏡 Controlling one's environment and having designated spaces for different activities can help manage anxiety.
• 🤝 Having allies or friends who understand and support the speaker's anxiety is crucial for navigating social situations.
• 💪 The speaker's anxiety has also given them strengths, such as the ability to handle stress and crisis situations effectively.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's TED Talk?

The main theme of the speaker's TED Talk is the exploration of her experience with anxiety, specifically how she can be confident on stage yet struggles with social anxiety in everyday life.

How does the speaker describe her relationship with anxiety?

The speaker describes her relationship with anxiety as having 'life fright' rather than stage fright, meaning she feels anxious in everyday social situations but not when performing on stage.

What is the term the speaker uses to describe herself and others who are shy yet perform well on stage?

The speaker uses the term 'shy loud' to describe herself and others who might be shy in everyday situations but are loud and confident on stage.

What does the speaker mean by 'high-functioning anxiety'?

The speaker refers to 'high-functioning anxiety' as a type of anxiety where individuals can work and function well in society, often being high achievers and perfectionists, but their anxiety is so high that simple tasks require a lot of mental energy.

How does the speaker cope with the anxiety of preparing for her TED Talk?

The speaker copes with the anxiety of preparing for her TED Talk by procrastinating until the last minute, during which she mentally rehearses the talk, and then writing it out well-formed at the last minute.

Why does the speaker find it difficult to complete tasks when given a list of things to do?

The speaker finds it difficult to complete tasks when given a list because she becomes anxious about all the items on the list, leading to procrastination and an inability to start any of them.

What paradox does the speaker mention about being perceived as arrogant and lazy?

The speaker mentions the paradox that people perceive her as confident, outgoing, and fun on stage, but in person, they perceive her as rude, aloof, and arrogant due to her shyness and social anxiety. Similarly, they see her as talented and smart but lazy and unreliable because of her struggles with deadlines and communication.

How does the speaker use hobbies to manage her anxiety?

The speaker manages her anxiety by engaging in hobbies that require concentration and brain power, such as painting, playing strategy games, and participating in roller derby.

What role do the speaker's friends play in helping her navigate social situations?

The speaker's friends act as allies in social situations, helping her by introducing themselves to share the conversational load, recognizing when she needs to leave, and assisting her in exiting social events.

What does the speaker suggest is a strength that comes from her anxiety?

The speaker suggests that her heightened level of stress and worry due to anxiety makes her very good in situations where others might be stressed and worried, such as on stage, in public speaking, and in moments of crisis.

What advice does the speaker give for dealing with anxiety?

The speaker advises that talking about anxiety helps, as does cognitive behavioral therapy, having hobbies that engage the brain, controlling one's environment, and having allies or friends to help in social situations.