It’s natural to believe that everyone wakes up with a sense of concern, stress, and dread — the kind that motivates them to get out of bed and into their busy day. To some extent, this is correct. It’s normal to feel stressed in the morning, but if it happens frequently, it could be an indication of high-functioning anxiety. That is not something you should overlook.

“People with high-functioning anxiety tend to stay at a steady frequency of low to moderate levels of worry throughout the day,” Coats Counseling therapist Melissa Coats, LPC, tells Bustle. “It’s not enough to send them into a full-fledged panic attack.” But it takes up a lot of cognitive space and energy during the day.”Some people may even appreciate you for your drive and ability, according to Coats, despite the fact that you are experiencing a “consistent buzz of negative energy.”

This low degree of worry may assist you in getting things done, but it is not healthy. That doesn’t make it a good way to begin the day. If you find yourself waking up nervous and feeling anxious throughout the day, consulting a therapist may be beneficial. According to specialists, these are a few early morning thoughts that may indicate high-functioning anxiety, as well as what to do about it.

1 “What Happens If Something Goes Wrong?”Anxiety, in all of its manifestations, can cause your brain to become locked in a never-ending loop of “what if?” type inquiries. Take note if it’s only 7 a.m. and you’re already thinking about what could go wrong with your day. “A person who is anxious and worried about what could go wrong focuses on the negative and will [oftentimes] ‘expect’ things not to go well,” Elevation Counseling Services psychotherapist Janika Joyner, LCSW, tells Bustle.

You might be concerned about making mistakes at work or about anything going wrong in your relationship, to mention a few. If you find yourself stressed and anxious the moment you wake up — and you are unable to turn these thoughts off — it may be beneficial to see a therapist.

2.”I’m Forgetting Something…”This could explain why you wake up with the horrible sinking feeling that you forgot something, even if you didn’t. “People with [an] anxiety disorder often worry about forgetting to do things,” says Dr. Helen Odessky, certified clinical psychologist and author of Stop Anxiety From Stopping You. You can wake up with a running to-do list in your head, as well as a slew of worries.

3 “Why is my heart pounding?””If a recurring thought is about your racing heart — but you’re in good physical health,” adds Dr. Odessky, “this is a sign of high-functioning anxiety.” Anxiety can create a wide range of physical symptoms, including perspiration, shaking, dizziness, and the impression that your heart is pounding. If you experience these side effects frequently, seeing a therapist or doctor at any time of day or night may be beneficial.