What happens when the world sees you as calm, capable, and composed, but your mind never stops running?

That’s the paradox of high-functioning anxiety, and in this episode, neuroscientist Dr. Mohita Shrivastava helps us understand what’s really happening beneath that surface of control.

We unravel how the brain sustains high performance under chronic stress, why the nervous system starts to mistake calmness for danger, and what happens when our inner alarm system never shuts off. From the amygdala (the accelerator) to the prefrontal cortex (the brake), Dr. Shrivastava explains how our brain’s wiring keeps us moving, but at a cost that’s often invisible.

There’s also a powerful gender dimension to this conversation.

Women, especially, are conditioned to be composed, nurturing, and resilient, roles that often force them to mask distress and push through exhaustion. We discuss how this emotional labor and societal expectation can literally reshape the brain’s stress circuits, making women more prone to internalized anxiety and burnout.

This episode bridges neuroscience, psychology, and real human experience, breaking myths, challenging stigma, and asking what it truly means to function while struggling.

🎧 Tune in for an honest, research-backed look at what high-functioning anxiety feels like, in the mind, body, and society.

💡 Bonus: Don’t miss these must-read articles by Dr. Mohita Shrivastava that beautifully expand on today’s discussion.

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👉 Stream now, because strength shouldn’t mean silent suffering.

Explore, reflect, and then be sure to follow the Ropana Podcast and Cognitome for more science-backed, soul-deep conversations.