Qs on Anxiety: When to Seek Help

When to see a mental health professional if you have anxiety symptoms.

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According to mental health experts, anxiety is normal for many people. For example, many people are worried about things such as:

• A new or no job,
• A new baby,
• Moving to a new city or college,
• Experiencing a problem with finance or relationships
• Politics or sick family members.

However, if anxiety affects your everyday life, it's time to seek help.

Symptoms: common anxiety signs and symptoms include, according to Mayo Clinic:

• Feeling nervous, restless, or tense
• Having a sense of impending danger, panic, or doom
• Having an increased heart rate
• Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Feeling weak or tired

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• Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry.
• Having trouble sleeping
• Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
• Having difficulty controlling worry
• Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety (Mayo Clinic).

A few questions people who struggle with anxiety can ask themselves to know if they need treatment or not.

• Do they dwell on negative things nonstop?
• How often do they seek out negative news and keep talking about them?
• Are people afraid of leaving their homes for a supermarket or a restaurant?
• Are they taking their anxiety medication as prescribed?
• How often do they cancel an appointment with unreasonable excuses?
• Do they drink excess alcohol or use drugs?
• Do they believe any suggestions, advice, or opinions from anyone without thinking for themselves?
• How often do you exercise or eat fast food?

Tips

Watch and pay attention to yourself and decide if you need help with anxiety.

Find a mental health professional here or join a local self-help group.

Feel free to share this article with someone who can benefit from anxiety treatment.

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961

https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/booklets/anxietydisorders.pdf