The High Cost of ’I’m Fine’: The Truth About High-Functioning Anxiety and Invisible Depression

Most women don’t look like they’re falling apart—even when they’re struggling to stay afloat. We keep it all going: raising kids, showing up for work, taking care of everyone else—while silently carrying stress, grief, trauma, and anxiety. And all that holding it together? It comes at a cost.

In this heart-opening episode of On Health, Aviva sits down with UK-based psychotherapist and author Helen Marie to explore:

🔹 Why high-functioning anxiety, burnout, and people-pleasing often go unseen

🔹 How supresseds stress lives in the body—and what our nervous systems are trying to tell us

🔹 The basics of Polyvagal Theory and how to map your nervous system

🔹 What it means to “meet your nervous system where it’s at”

🔹 Somatic practices like tapping and cupping to gently bring your body back to safety

🔹 The quiet power of journaling, boundaries, and emotional truth

🔹 How to take one small step toward choosing you—without guilt or shame

This episode is for anyone who’s ever whispered “I’m fine” while quietly falling apart—and is ready to begin reclaiming calm, connection, and self-worth, one kind breath at a time.

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements

Mentioned in this episode:

Looking for supplements for yourself and your family, including some of those I talk about in episodes? You can find those - and your 15% discount on every order here: avivaromm.com/supplements