When should you consider seeking help for anxiety?

Synonyms for Anxiety-: worry, concern, apprehension, apprehensiveness, consternation, uneasiness, unease, fearfulness, fear, disquiet, disquietude, perturbation, fretfulness, agitation, angst, nervousness, nerves, edginess, tension, tenseness, stress, misgiving, trepidation, foreboding, suspense;

Research has shown that 40% of Australians will suffer from at least one of the above mentioned descriptions at some point in their lifetime.

Most of the time worry, stress and mild anxiety can be a normal part of life. The responsibility around children, work and ongoing commitments can make us feel overwhelmed from time to time. How do you know when it reaches the point when you should consider seeking help for your anxiety?

When it affects you physically: Suffering from anxiety can have a flow on effect to our physical health. Migraines, headaches, appetite changes, sleep pattern changes, breathing difficulties, sweating, shaking, increase in heart-rate and muscle tensions are all common physical symptoms.

Suggestion: Our bodies are amazing, and know when we are not feeling quite right. Symptoms like the above are our body’s way of telling us to get help. Visit your GP if you are not feeling your best self.

When it affects you at work: “I remember sitting at work during a particularly difficult time in my life and having such overwhelming feelings of anxiety that I could not think straight. My tongue was dry, I felt sick in my stomach, I could not eat nor drink and I did not speak to anyone. I felt like I was in such a state of unrest and uneasiness. I think I sat there for hours, literally unable to do anything” Anxiety can have a severe impact on our lives, especially when we still are expected to perform our various life duties. When anxiety impacts your job it can then in turn, make your anxiety symptoms even worse.

Suggestion: Be pro-active with your life and your anxiety; meet with your manager/boss and let them know how you are feeling. Workplaces are obligated to listen to your concerns and take them seriously.

When it affects your relationships: If your loved ones, close friends or workmates are noticing you are not yourself and are worried about you, it’s a sign you need to take action for yourself. We often take our feelings out on those who are close to us, so they can in turn suffer along with you. Anxiety can cause you to lash out, or distance yourself from your relationships.

Suggestion: Talk to your family and friends. Often, you will be surprised by how understanding they are. By discussing how you feel it may also help them realise they have not done anything wrong.

When Anxiety is making you miss out on life: Anxiety can cause you to want to isolate yourself, experience fear, worry and depression. When you feel as though you are unable to enjoy life, it’s time to take action and seek help.

Suggestion: When anxiety is getting in the way of you living life to the fullest and exploring your dreams and goals then it is time to get help.

At The Counselling and Wellbeing Centre we are trained to attend to your needs and help you overcome the awful experience of Anxiety.

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