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One of the big challenges in managing mental health is identifying unhealthy patterns as they’re forming in your life and psyche. Why is this so difficult? Because it’s not always unhealthy to feel anxious or sad.
But too much anxiety or sadness can become an anxiety disorder or a diagnosable case of depression. That means that you have to be alert for when your emotions and behavior cross the line from normal into disordered.
The support you receive at Anywhere Wellness assists you in coming to terms with potential mental health conditions like chronic anxiety. If you’re concerned about your anxiety levels, reach out to our team of mental health and wellness experts.
We offer telehealth treatment from Washington, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah.
Here are some rules of thumb you can use to tell anxious thoughts from an anxiety disorder.
Consider negative impacts of anxiety on your life
When trying to understand if anxious thoughts are disordered, the single biggest question to ask yourself is: How much of a negative impact does anxiety have on my quality of life?
Healthy anxiety works to keep you safe. You might remember to check in with a friend before traveling in a strange place or take safety precautions like making sure the stove is off when leaving home.
Being safety-conscious actually helps you expand your life, since it ultimately allows you to take sensible risks and try new things. Think about how anxiety about a big test pushes you to study more and really prepare.
Conversely, anxiety disorders tend to shrink and constrain your life. You may avoid crowded areas or public speaking opportunities due to social anxiety, or dodge places or situations that trigger your phobias or fears.
If you find that you’re regularly expending significant effort to avoid exposure to anxiety triggers, you may be living with an anxiety disorder, and treatment could be what you need to escape this burden and embrace a more carefree lifestyle.
Look for co-occurring physical symptoms
When anxiety becomes unhealthy, your body lets you know. Chronic anxiety often results in co-occurring physical symptoms that go away after mental health treatment.
Instead of searching for treatments for these disparate physical problems, you may need to address the anxiety disorder that’s at the root of your physical complaints.
For example, lingering anxiety can play havoc with your digestive system. You may experience persistent nausea or problems with your elimination, such as chronic constipation. You may overeat as a result of ongoing emotional disturbance, or struggle with low appetite.
Anxiety disorders also often interfere with healthy sleep habits, causing insomnia or oversleeping.
Consider the duration of your anxiety
How long have you been feeling anxious? Healthy anxiety tends to be tied to shorter intervals of time, while the symptoms of an anxiety disorder can linger for months or even years. Your life changes, you grow older, and your anxiety continues to haunt you. That indicates you’re likely to benefit from diagnosis and mental health support.
The good news is, you don’t have to cope with your anxiety disorder on your own. After diagnosis, you benefit from the support of knowledgeable and compassionate providers who help you heal.
In fact, realizing that you have a problem with anxiety may very well be the first step in shaking off your fears and fully reclaiming your life, your broader horizons, your physical wellness, and your emotional balance.
For personalized support with anxiety, including social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and phobias, reach out to us at Anywhere Wellness and schedule your telehealth appointment today. Call or text us at 888-281-HEAL (4325), or request your appointment online.