When Does Anxiety Warrant Professional Intervention?

It’s natural to feel anxious before a first date or a job interview. Your nervous energy puts your body on high alert, preparing you to handle the unknown. Once the moment passes, so does the anxiety.

But what if the anxiety lingers long after these big events? Or worse, the anxiety creeps into your everyday routine, like driving to work, checking email, or going to the grocery store?

Anxiety is normal, but it warrants a professional intervention when it starts to take over your life. 

At VP MindCare in Anchorage, Alaska, and Lexington, Kentucky, Vanja Pumpolovic, NP, and our team of mental health experts provide professional help for those struggling with overwhelming feelings of anxiety and how to handle them effectively. 

If you’re experiencing any of the following, your anxiety warrants professional intervention. 

Anxiety symptoms run your life

Anxiety often triggers excessive worry about routine aspects of life, ranging from personal health and family issues to workplace success and everyday responsibilities. 

When anxiety defines your daily existence, it’s nearly impossible to function in your daily life. You find it harder to be productive and positive. You feel as though you have no control over your life, giving rise to feelings of distress, despair, or apathy out of proportion with reality. 

Anxiety affects your relationships

Untreated anxiety often leads to avoidance and withdrawal. You may steer clear of situations that conjure feelings of discomfort. You may call out sick from work to avoid a meeting or turn down social events for fear of embarrassing yourself.

But your coping mechanism may put a strain on your personal and professional relationships, especially if the people in your life don’t understand the underlying cause of your withdrawal. 

Over time, this puts a strain on your relationships and may erode your support system, further worsening your anxiety.

You feel depressed too

Many people with an anxiety disorder may experience depression, or vice versa. In fact, about half of people with untreated anxiety or depression eventually develop the other disorder. 

Without professional intervention, you may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with your coexisting conditions, putting you at risk of substance use disorders. 

Getting help for anxiety

Anxiety disorders don’t go away on their own, but with professional help, you can regain the upper hand again.

When your feelings of anxiety are overwhelming and all-consuming, getting professional help can help you feel more in control. We practice holistic psychiatry for anxiety, treating your whole health with:

• Psychotherapy
• Psychiatric medications
• Lifestyle changes
• Relaxation techniques
• Stress management

Don’t let anxiety take over your life. We can help you take back control with a personalized treatment plan. Contact us today to book an appointment.