SPOTLIGHT MONDAY: Over Functioning or Just Reliable?

SPOTLIGHT MONDAY: Over Functioning or Just Reliable?

From RIDE ALONG CHRONICLES by Ride Along Chronicles

September 29, 2025 · 3 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the misconceptions and consequences of over functioning and how it can become a survival mechanism.

On today's episode we shine the light on the misconceptions and consequences of over functioning. According to the online article, "The Subtle Sign of Over Functioning" from Kathleen Smith at The Anxious Overachiever.substack.com, “Overfunctioners may be seen as reliable and responsible, but it can have negative consequences like burnout, stress, and anxiety.” A main reason why many become over functioners is to manage anxiety for feeling helpless and vulnerable from past experiences or traumas. It’s a way to control one’s environment to try avoid the unpredictable. Over functioning is typically not a personality trait, it BECOMES a survival mechanism. This article explains how learning to draw boundaries for one self and practice the strategies discussed can help break this habit. To learn more about how to recognize and overcome being an over functioner, you can read the full article at: https://theanxiousoverachiever.substack.com/p/the-subtle-signs-of-overfunctioning For more information and resources please visit us at www.ridealongchronicles.com and be sure to catch on the next ride!

People in this episode

Host: Ride Along Chronicles

Topics covered

  • over functioning
  • reliability
  • anxiety
  • boundaries
  • burnout
  • stress
  • trauma

Keywords

  • over functioning
  • reliability
  • anxiety
  • boundaries
  • burnout
  • stress
  • trauma
  • self-help
  • mental health

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Anxious Overachiever

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