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Anxiety: When is it time to seek professional help?

A woman who's face and distressed expression is partially obscured.

Some amount of anxiety can be a normal and often healthy emotion characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease. It normally arises in situations that feature an important event or an uncertain outcome. However, when a person regularly experiences a high level of anxiety that does not seem to go away, it might be due to an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders form a category of mental health diagnoses that feature excessive amounts of nervousness, apprehension, and/or worry. These disorders can alter emotions and behavior, at times even causing physical symptoms. Anxiety disorders exist on a spectrum of severity that may range from mild discomfort to a more severe disorder that may greatly affect an individual’s day-to-day life due to interference with activities such as job performance, schoolwork, sleep, and/or relationships.

Psychological symptoms of anxiety may include:

– Frequent intrusive and unintentional negative thoughts or worries

– Inner feeling of apprehension, dread, or unease

– Feeling tense, jumpy, or on edge

– Restlessness or irritability

Physical manifestations of anxiety may include:

– Insomnia

– Fatigue

– Pounding or racing heart

– Shortness of breath

– Upset stomach

– Muscle tension

– Headaches

It’s important for anyone experiencing symptoms of persistent anxiety to seek professional help from a psychiatrist for evaluation and creation of a treatment plan that is tailored to you and your specific life situation. At CLS Health, our psychiatrist is dedicated to providing personalized care for your needs. Schedule an appointment today.