Feeling anxious is a common emotion most people experience. It can be healthy, but it can also cause problems. Sometimes people may not realize the effects stress and anxiety have in their daily living. Understanding when to get help for your anxiety includes recognizing when it is causing problems in your life. You may experience stress and feel overwhelmed or feel as if you’ve lost control.
When you get to where your stress and anxiety are no longer manageable, it is time to seek help. Knowing when to get help includes recognizing the signs. If you think you have a problem with anxiety, these five signs may signal it is time to seek help.
1. You have physical symptoms that affect your ability to get things done.
Some people have physical symptoms, and they don’t know why. People with anxiety may experience upset stomachs, headaches, heavy sweating, and problems breathing. Some may experience related symptoms when trying to avoid their problems. Others may experience a panic attack and mistakenly think they are having a heart attack. It is crucial to understand the difference between a heart attack and a panic attack. Experiencing multiple panic attacks could signal an anxiety problem. If you have physical discomfort, you could have unhealthy anxiety that needs to be addressed.
2. You have trouble with concentration and memory.
Dealing with anxiety can also affect your ability to concentrate. People may also be stressed out due to lack of sleep, affecting how your brain retains details. Anxiety can make enjoying simple activities challenging when you can’t focus on them, such as watching a movie or carrying out responsibilities at work or home. Using online therapy options like MyTherapist can help.
3. You avoid things that trigger your anxiety.
Sometimes people put things off on purpose to avoid feeling anxious (procrastinate). When you know a task or event may lead to rising stress levels, you may not look forward to it because you don’t want to deal with the anxiety that follows. It is common to feel nervous about something unpleasant and decide to put things off later. But if you find yourself doing this more often, it could be a sign you should seek assistance.
4.You have stressful thoughts leading to constant worrying.
Sometimes a person may overthink things or having racing thoughts. Some lose track of what is going on around them due to being distracted by their thoughts. Overthinking things could lead to normal anxiety, but overdoing it often leads to unhealthy levels of anxiety. If overthinking keeps you from getting responsibilities done or a restful night of sleep, you could have a problem with anxiety.
5. You feel on edge and agitated.
If you’re not getting enough rest, you can feel tired and restless as a result. A person may lash out in anger, seem bothered, or be irritated. Sometimes anxiety keeps you from being able to relax. Sometimes anger is a disguise for anxiety. Anger is common, and it may lead to blaming others instead of confronting your feelings.
Feeling stressed or burned out for a long time can take a toll on your physical and mental health. The key to knowing when to get help for anxiety is understanding the difference between healthy and unhealthy anxiety. When you feel stressed or anxious, consider if it is manageable. Anxiety is problematic when it lasts for an extended time, such as weeks or months. If you think you have a problem with anxiety, talk to your primary doctor or mental health specialist. When it affects your ability to eat, sleep, work, and socialize, you should consider talking to a therapist.