Anxiety is a mental health condition that requires attention if your worries interfere with your daily life. It is healthy to be anxious about certain events in your life like applying for a job or going on your first date. The story changes if everything around you makes you anxious.
Anxiety could creep in every time you step outside your door or when you are around people. Every day can seem like a challenge when it looks like there is always something you feel the need to run from or control.
There is never any shame in seeking help for your anxiety. After all, without any help, your anxiety will either stay the same or get worse over time. With the number of treatment options out there, there is no reason to suffer any longer. Treatment is about taking control of the symptoms that are making your life harder.
Here are the anxiety symptoms to watch out for to know when it is time to do something about your anxiety.
Constant Worries
We all have our worries. The world is not perfect and life will constantly throw us challenges that we feel we cannot handle. If overthinking or worrying about negative situations is taking over your day, this can be a problem.
Try to remember that most problems have logical solutions. Push back on the idea that you are ill-equipped or unprepared to face challenges or uncertainty. Solutions often come in time and with support. There is no shame in reaching out for help.
Being Angry
When you feel like you have no control over your anxiety, it can cause you to lash out at others in order to take that control back. If you continuously blame people for your worries, you could be pushing your loved ones away.
Getting easily annoyed or angry is not healthy for your emotions. Unaddressed anger can cost you your jobs opportunities and your relationships. If your anxiety is driving irritability and anger, it is time to do something about it. For example, a good start is to employ breathing exercises or other forms of mindfulness. This can help release anger in healthy ways during overwhelming moments.
Physical Symptoms
Anxiety can have an effect on you physically too. You may notice symptoms like a stomachache, shakiness, sweating, rapid heartbeat, and/or trouble breathing. Maybe your heart beats really fast when a friend of yours has not called you back. When it is your turn to speak at a meeting, sweat may appear through your shirt. These physical symptoms can make it feel hard to function.
If your body makes you think that you are in danger every time a stressful situation occurs, this can feel debilitating. Your body and your mind are always communicating. How you feel mentally can affect how you feel physically and vice versa. You never want to be afraid of what your body will do if your anxiety makes you feel threatened.
Panic Attacks
Once you feel like you have no control over stressful life events, chest tightness and trouble breathing may follow. This is what a panic attack feels like. Often, these are mistaken for heart attacks. Knowing the difference between a panic attack and a heart attack is vital. It may help you feel at ease just knowing your panic attack will go away.
Most of all, anxiety should never go ignored, particularly if your worrisome thoughts are interfering with your life. You should be able to try new things, take on new challenges, and deal with stressful situations without feeling perpetually on edge or out of control.
Seeking therapy for your anxiety will give you the tools you need to tackle any challenge your anxiety brings you. To learn more about our anxiety therapy approach, please contact us for a free 30-minute phone consultation.
Be Well,
Dr. G
