Occasional moments of anxiety are common in every individual. The body’s natural response of fight-or-flight activates when faced with difficulties such as confronting a significant exam or going on a first date. Anxiety, in moderation, can be beneficial as it helps ignite motivation to solve your problems and enables focus. However, when persistent feelings of apprehension and panic hinder normal daily activities, they may indicate an underlying anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders impact over 40 million adults in the United States, making it the most prevalent mental illness. Despite varying symptoms ranging from sudden panic attacks to recurring obsessive thoughts, it remains a prevalent concern. As per data reported by the ADAA, increased awareness and medical attention can help effectively manage and overcome anxiety disorders.
Making the choice to seek professional aid can be a challenging decision, especially when one is already experiencing feelings of stress and being inundated with responsibilities. Although managing and identifying anxiety disorders is crucial to addressing indications, the significance of professional assistance extends beyond those with obvious mental health concerns.
When Should You See a Therapist?
Seeking professional help for anxiety is not a sign of weakness but rather a crucial step toward recovery. To ensure you receive the necessary support, consider these indications that it is time to seek assistance from a mental health professional:
You feel constantly overwhelmed.
In the event of an unexpected problem, do you tend to immediately expect the worst possible outcome? Catastrophizing is a severe and incapacitating form of anxiety that can cause even the slightest worry to appear disproportionate. Over a prolonged period, this behavior can become paralyzing, leading to panic attacks and avoidance. To gain a deeper understanding of your mental well-being and change your thought patterns, cognitive-behavioral therapy is a potential solution. It can assist you in altering your behavior and shifting your mindset.
Your physical health is suffering.
The correlation between mental and physical health is undeniable. Research has established that persistent stress and anxiety can result in various physical symptoms, including nausea, headaches, and frequent colds. Unexplained muscle pain, particularly in the neck, is also indicative of anxiety. Seeking therapy from trained anxiety therapists could prove helpful if you’re experiencing any of these conditions. Additionally, it’s advisable to consult with your primary care physician to rule out any potential underlying physical ailments.
Controlling your emotions feels impossible.
Experiencing occasional feelings of sadness, anxiety, or anger is a natural part of the human experience. However, it is crucial to monitor the frequency and intensity of these emotions. Prolonged anxiety triggers the fight-or-flight response, amplifying negative emotions and hindering one’s ability to manage them. Conferring with a therapist provides a trustworthy outlet for delving into one’s emotions and learning to control them. You can gain the skills needed to recognize and regulate emotions effectively in a judgment-free, confidential setting with therapy sessions.
You’ve turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
During the difficult times of grappling with mental or emotional troubles, the allure of indulging in pleasurable, diverting, or destructive activities, like illicit substances, to cope can be tempting. Despite providing some relief from distressing thoughts and emotions such as powerlessness, nervousness, and crossness, relying on drug use only worsens mental health conditions and can eventually lead to addiction or dependency. Therefore, seeking expert assistance to overcome addiction is imperative. While peers or relatives may provide a comforting ear, it should be kept in mind that they lack the training of a professional therapist.
You’ve experienced trauma.
Individuals with a background of abuse, trauma, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can benefit greatly from talk therapy. This type of therapy allows for the exploration of challenging experiences with a qualified therapist who has expertise in handling traumatic situations. This is unlike discussing these experiences with friends or family, as there is no need to protect the mental health provider from the content of your trauma. With talk therapy, your mental health provider can guide you in developing new perspectives on traumatic events and help you develop strategies to overcome traumatic associations.
When it comes to managing mental health, the most important thing is to take action. If you’ve been struggling with any of these signs or symptoms for an extended period of time, please reach out and contact Highland Springs today. Our team is here to provide compassionate care and support during this difficult time in your life. We are committed to providing quality services that will help you develop better coping strategies and improve your overall well-being. Don’t wait – get started on a path toward healing today!