When to Seek Therapy for Anxiety
Is It Time to Get Help for Your Anxiety? Let’s Break Down Knowing When Anxiety Needs Professional Support.
We all experience a wide range of emotions: fear, anger, sadness, joy, and so forth. But for many folks, anxiety seems to be at the top of the list these days. So how do we know when it’s time to bring in a professional to help manage anxiety? And at what point is therapy really necessary? If you’re asking yourself some of these questions right now, now is the time to stop and reflect.
When Worry Turns Into an Anxiety Disorder
The word "anxiety" gets thrown around a lot these days, but as a therapist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety, I’ve begun to wonder if we’ve lost the true sense of the word.
If you feel some type of worry, I’m here to tell you that you are not alone (welcome to being human!). If you, however, experience a heightened version of worry, known as anxiety, on a daily basis that impacts your daily functioning, you may be dealing with an anxiety disorder.
When my clients and I explore their anxiety, I look at a few different things:
How often are you feeling anxious: daily, weekly, or monthly?
How intense does your anxiety feel?
What parts of your life is anxiety affecting: work, relationships, sleep, etc.?
Is anxiety keeping you from doing things you want to do or used to love?
There’s a big difference between “I’m anxious for that presentation at work, but once it’s done I’ll feel great” versus “I wake up with worry and go to sleep with worry, and nothing seems to shift its presence.” If you find yourself in the latter category, that might be your first sign that working with a professional could benefit you.
When Should I Seek Help From a Therapist for Anxiety?
As a therapist who has also been to therapy, I totally get that asking for help is hard. I mean, you’re divulging intimate and vulnerable thoughts and feelings to a stranger! How could that not be scary?! But I’ve also seen (and experienced) the true benefit of talk therapy on both sides.
Here are a few signs that anxiety may be harder to tackle on your own at the moment:
Anxiety feels constant and overwhelming, impacting basic day-to-day living
Anxiety interferes with your ability to enjoy pleasurable things like being out to dinner with your loved ones or even watching a favorite movie
Anxiety is causing you to avoid situations, people, or experiences that trigger more anxiety
Your usual coping strategies are no longer working, and you’re finding that old tools only provide short-term relief
Despite all your best efforts, you’ve been feeling stuck for weeks or even months and things don’t seem to be improving
Feeling Ready To Bring In A Therapist?
Seeking a therapist to help manage anxiety may be one of the most compassionate ways you show up for yourself this year. If you are feeling ready to bring in a professional who can help teach you long-term, effective coping skills and make way for more joyful (less anxious) days, schedule a consultation call with our Client Care Coordinator to begin working with a therapist who can support you. Sunnier days await you!
