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