How do you know when anxiety is normal or something you should seek help with?
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Last Updated: 06/14/2022 at 10:06pm
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Kajsa Futrell, RTC
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Top Rated Answers
Some anxiety is good and healthy in fact. It can be something to think about when it stops you from doing the things that you want to do and begins to interfere with your daily life.
You could try taking the Depression/Anxiety test at 7 cups and evaluate for yourself. You can also talk to one of the listeners here and come to a conclusion together.
Anonymous
December 22nd, 2014 8:49pm
If your anxiety is greatly interfering and impacting your daily routine, I would strongly suggest speaking with a medical professional.
It's normal when stressed for an interview , exam , interview when someone is sick it's isn't when you feel anxiety through out the day constantly for a period of 3 to 6 months you can't relax you don't feel right something's off
When one's anxiety becomes crippling and interferes with one's life, it is then that seeking professional help should be considered.
If this anxiety doesn't affect your life that much, it's probably not much to be concerned about. But if your fears of having an anxiety attack, includes having to avoid an object, activity or situation that triggers you, interferes with your normal functioning or keeps you from doing things you would otherwise enjoy, it's time to seek help.
"Normal" is such as broad term and honestly, there isn't a "normal" that you can use as a definition for anxiety. You need to ask yourself whats "normal" for you. I have anxiety, but I know what it consist of and if it ever escalates to a point where I feel uncomfortable or unable to handle it, than I know it's time to seek help. However, its NEVER too soon to ask for help. It's NEVER too early to seek guidance. It's okay to have a little bit of anxiety, or a small problem and ask for help because everything can escalate. Honestly I think if you have to question whether or not you should seek help, you already have your answer. If you're questioning it, just ask someone, seek help. I'm always available for 1 on 1.
We're talking about the difference between stress and distress. Stress is a normal feeling we are hardwired to feel and often do throughout the day. It can be healthy to have some stress, it keeps us alert, cautious, focused, and determined to achieve.
But distress is when we can't handle it. When we're so overwhelmed with anxiety that it has a negative impact on our lives, we see it manifest in our relationships, our health, our work. Distress is when we've lost control, and we don't know how to get it back.
Anonymous
February 14th, 2017 11:32pm
Anxiety is a normal part of life but there does come a point where you need to seek help. If the anxiety is causing problems day after day then you might need to seek help. If th anxiety is causing your grades/work performance to decrease, impact your social life, or make you afraid of certain situations then you might need to seek help.
Anonymous
December 15th, 2015 10:15pm
Taking a breather away from what is causing me to feel anxious and focusing my thoughts on not what I am feeling but what I am doing.
The general consensus of mental health professionals is that you should seek help when/if your issues are interfering with your daily life. This could be anything from feeling unable to get out of bed and leave the house, to feeling distracted and being unable to get work done.
Everyone has a certain level of anxiety that is stable and motivates them to do things, but that anxiety is escalated when it starts to overwhelm a person and pressure them into working too much. That being said, anxiety makes different people act in different ways, so it would a good idea to talk to someone about your anxieties to help relieve them.
Anonymous
September 6th, 2016 7:52pm
Anxiety can come at any time but when it starts affecting your every day life thato is when it becomes and issue and you should seek medical help
I personally believe anxiety is normal when it's manageable and doesn't disturb your daily life. If it's not manageable and you go into full blown attacks or nervous break downs, then I feel like you might need to seek help on calming that down. If it's not disturbing your daily life or functioning during the day I feel like that's when it's okay or "normal". A.K.A unmanageable.
Anonymous
August 16th, 2016 7:14am
Most people have some degree of anxiety, but I think if it's taking a big toll on you or keeping you from living your life and doing things that you want to do, you should consider seeking help.
Anonymous
June 14th, 2022 10:06pm
Anxiety can be overwhelming in situations and can sometimes get out of control. There is common things to be anxious about like am I gonna get there on time, afraid of common fears like heights, bugs, etc. But it can get out of hand when you're thinking of the worst situation possible. Sometimes it can be hard to look past the worst scenario and focus on the best scenario. So if you think that you are thinking of an all or nothing situation or worst situation possible maybe it would be necessary to seek help. Otherwise I think you will be ok
Anonymous
May 9th, 2017 10:49pm
The moment you notice it affecting your daily routine, get help. When you start to become anxious about things you've previously never been bothered by, and it starts to become a regular occurrence, get help.
Anonymous
May 16th, 2017 1:49pm
When you are unable to do simple things that everyone else can do, this is when you should seek help! When you feel like enough is enough or when you feel like anxiety has taken a toll on your life. Maybe try talking to a friend or an active listener for support.
Anonymous
July 26th, 2016 12:13pm
Anxiety is normal as long as it doesn't begin to disrupt your everyday life. If it starts to interfere with your work, relationships or downgrade the quality of your everyday life then you should seek help.
I think its all personal preference. If it gets to be something that affects your every day life, that would seem like a good time to ask for help definitely. Even if you just start feeling "symptoms" of anxiety, you can always talk to a family member, or friend
Anonymous
November 6th, 2017 1:23am
When anxiety is normal, it usually is about something you are anxious about, like maybe a birthday party or going on a roller coaster that has big drops and you dont know what to expect. When it is not normal, and you should seek professional help, is when you have anxiety attacks. Those can be in the form of: not being able to control your breath, you zone out without realising, or you have uncontrollable bursts of anger. For help with this, i recommend you talk to a listener who is trained in this area, or a medical professional, like a doctor or a therapist
Everyone has some form of anxiety. When your anxiety keeps you from going out in public or talking in a group of people then it's time to get some help. Needing help to control your anxiety is nothing to be ashamed of.
Anonymous
February 13th, 2018 10:07pm
I would say get help if it's affecting your everyday life. Or if it's too overwhelming when you get anxious.
Remember that self-care is a hint to know if help is needed. If you stop doing the basics for self-care that's a red light.
If its been going on for over a month and affects your functioning in negative disruptive, or alarming ways. Anxiety is a natural result of trauma and for most who experience it, follows some event and usually passes and works itself out over some time. Like break-ups, deaths, losses, all are traumatic and for most eventually work themselves out through time and process. But severe episodes can mark and effect a person for years, and for people who grew up in traumatic environments, like ones with domestic violence, or experienced a severe event the effect can require a little professional help and understanding to cope with and recover from. It is useful to keep in mind that this is something that can be considered normal and can affect and be inflicted upon anyone and affects everyone to some degree at some point in their life span.
If the anxiety you have becomes a disturbance to your life it is time to seek help so you can manage it
Anonymous
April 30th, 2018 9:53pm
Anxious thoughts are feelings are very common, almost natural, but they can get very out of hand. When you find yourself unable to live life without the anxiousness, you should consider seeking help.
Anonymous
June 4th, 2018 6:46pm
Personally, my anxiety is horrid. If it's really bad, I'll get sick to my stomach and the room will spin. It ranges from headaches to actually throwing up, or even having digestive pain. If it's causing you physical pain, consult a doctor.
Anonymous
December 15th, 2020 6:57pm
It is completely normal to feel anxiety from time to time. As troubling as anxiety can be, occasional anxiety is not harmful. In fact sometimes anxiety can be helpful, serving as motivation for new tasks or challenges. However, too much anxiety isn’t healthy. Too much anxiety can be a warning sign of an anxiety disorder or another medical condition that requires treatment. I know that in class when a teacher asks you to stand up in front of the class for a presentation I start to feel anxiety. And it’s okay to feel that. If your anxiety is happening all the time it would be good to consult a doctor.
As a person who suffers from severe anxiety, I can relate to this question. If anxiety is crippling you from living a full life, then it is time to seek professional help. I have, it's not a total cure, but I have stability in my life. Anxiety feeds on Fear, Chaos, Confusion, and Pressure. Knowing your triggers is HUGE. Surrounding yourself, and keeping in touch with people that understand your struggle, and will LIFT you up. Keeping yourself focused on things besides yourself is also very helpful, like helping others, giving back to your community. I. myself being a listener here has helped me tremendously.
Anonymous
December 22nd, 2014 4:57pm
When you're everyday life is affected by it in a negative way, that's when you know its not just a normal worry
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