I don't know about purposefully downplaying. When I talk to my T she always asks how my anxiety has been during the week. I usually "downplay" my anxiety because a high level of anxiety has always been present for me. I mean what might rate as a 5 for some people (5 being high) might rate as a 2 for me. I've become accustomed to it and its discomfort. It is a way of being for me.