So, you’ve been feeling a bit more tightly wound than a coiled spring, and those stress-induced palpitations have you convinced you’re auditioning for the role of “Anxiety Man” in your own life’s drama. Well, don’t fret – or rather, do, because that’s precisely what we’re talking about today! How do you know if it’s high time you sought out a therapist for anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural and common human emotion that everyone experiences from time to time. It is often characterized by feelings of uneasiness, fear, or worry about future events, uncertainties, or potential threats. While mild anxiety can be a normal response to certain situations, such as taking an important exam or facing a challenging life event, excessive or chronic anxiety can become a mental health disorder.
12 Reasons You May Need A Therapist For Anxiety
1. Persistent Worry and Fear
You know you’re in the anxiety boat when your brain feels like it’s drafting a never-ending list of worst-case scenarios. If your daily forecast includes a 100% chance of perpetual unease, it might be time for a professional consultation with a therapist for anxiety.
2. Physical Symptoms
Anxiety has a knack for making your body sound like a percussion band at a heavy metal concert – rapid heartbeats, sweaty palms, and muscles so tense they could break a diamond. If your body is morphing into a stress symphony, therapy for anxiety might be your backstage pass to peace.
3. Avoidance Behaviors
If you’ve mastered the art of dodging triggers like a vegan avoiding meatfest, therapy can help you step back into the light. After all, the only things you should be avoiding are those terrible reality TV shows on Bravo.
4. Impact on Relationships
If you find that your anxiety is turning your social life into a high-stakes poker game with estranged friends and a reluctant family, it’s high time to deal a different hand. Therapy for anxiety can help you play your cards right in your relationships.
5. Changes in Sleep Patterns
Do you dread bedtime like it’s your own personal horror movie? Is your nightly routine more twisted than a Rubik’s Cube? Therapy might just be the script doctor your sleep cycle needs.
6. Decreased Work or Academic Performance
If your job performance has been slipping faster than a banana peel on a rainy day, it’s time to acknowledge that anxiety might be the not-so-silent partner in your office. A therapist for anxiety can be the magic wand to restore your professional prowess.
7. Uncontrolled Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are like surprise parties you never asked for – not fun. If you’re hosting these anxiety-driven events, a therapist for anxiety can teach you how to send them un-invites.
8. Self-Medication
When you’re relying on liquid courage or questionable substances to deal with anxiety, it’s like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. Maybe it’s time to call in a professional firefighter – like a therapist for anxiety.
9. Intrusive Thoughts or Compulsions
If your mind is stuck in a perpetual loop of strange thoughts and even stranger actions, consider therapy as your ticket to an amusement park that doesn’t terrify you.
10. Loss of Interest or Pleasure
If the things that once brought joy to your life have been replaced by a grumpy cat emoji, therapy can help you restore that sparkle in your eye (and in your social media posts).
11. Overwhelming Stress and Overthinking
When your brain can’t take a vacation because it’s too busy planning the itinerary, it’s time to teach it how to chill – or at the very least, turn down the volume. Therapy for anxiety can be your brain’s relaxation coach.
12. Feeling Isolated
If your anxiety has you feeling as lonely as the sad last piece of pizza in the box, therapy for anxiety can be your plus-one, accompanying you to life’s social gatherings.
Life is short. But when you’re struggling with anxiety, it feels like an eternity. Recognizing the signs that you need therapy for anxiety isn’t easy, but it’s a step towards a more peaceful existence. So, if you found yourself nodding along with this list, find an awesome therapist you like and trust who can help you turn your life’s script from a nail-biting thriller to a uplifting comedy.
James Killian, LPC is the Principal Therapist & Owner of Arcadian Counseling in Greater New Haven, CT where they specialize in helping over-thinkers, high achievers, and perfectionists reduce stress, increase fulfillment and enhance performance so they can move From Surviving To Thriving.