Are You Experiencing Anxiety?

Dealing with anxiety can be an overwhelming experience. Symptoms of anxiety can interfere with your life if you experience them on a regular basis, or they can make you feel uncomfortable even in doses. Luckily, recognizing when you’re experiencing anxiety and identifying when to ask for help can make a huge difference in your mental health.

Consider these four ways to identify when it may be time to seek out help:

1. Is your excessive worry interfering with your daily functioning?
One of the most commonly seen symptoms of anxiety is excessive worry. It is normal to experience worry in certain situations. However, when the worry becomes excessive and interrupts your ability to accomplish tasks, it may be time to see help.

2. Are you unable to concentrate? Do you leave tasks incomplete?
Finding difficulty in concentrating can be especially frustrating, as it can impact our work day or your school day. If you’re struggling to remain on task, if you can’t seem to keep your focus, or if your productivity is suffering, it may be time to address the issue with a mental health professional.

 3.  Are you struggling to sleep at night, leaving you feeling fatigued throughout the day?
Sleep disturbances are commonly found in those who struggle with anxiety. This issue oftentimes affects your ability to feel rested throughout the day. As a result, it can impact your daily functioning. If you’re struggling to get to sleep at night, it is possible that anxiety may be the underlying cause.

4.  Are your feelings of irritability or agitation intensifying or manifesting physically?
When you’re feeling anxious, part of your sympathetic nervous system responds as if it is in danger. You may begin to feel physical symptoms of anxiety including a racing heart rate, a tightened chest, or difficulty breathing. These symptoms can be especially uncomfortable and may be a warning sign to seek assistance.
 

If you’re feeling as though you, your child, or your family member is struggling with anxiety, it might be time to ask for help. Anxiety is completely normal in doses; in fact, it helps you learn and grow! However if you notice yourself experiencing anxiety so often that it’s interfering with your daily activities, it may be a sign of an underlying condition. Ask yourself or your child the questions listed above and if applicable, take the first step in getting the help that’s needed to have an improved quality of life.