Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes, and When to Seek Help
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health complaints. We can all experience anxiety at times, but when it starts to affect our daily lives, it’s important to pay attention. In this article, we explain what it is, how it manifests, and when it’s advisable to seek professional help.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is the body’s natural response to situations we perceive as threatening or challenging. It’s an emotion that prepares us to act, but when it becomes intense, frequent, or appears without a clear reason, it can become a problem.
How do I know if my anxiety is “normal”?
Feeling anxious before an exam, an interview, or an important decision is completely normal. What tells us you may have an anxiety disorder is:
- When symptoms appear without a clear cause.
- When the intensity of anxiety is disproportionate.
- When it interferes with our daily lives: work, relationships, rest, etc.
- When we try to avoid situations for fear of them causing anxiety.
Most common symptoms of anxiety
Anxiety can manifest itself in many ways. Some of the most common symptoms are:
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Physical:
- Palpitations or tachycardia
- Muscle tension
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath or knot in the stomach
- Dizziness or feeling unsteady
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Psychological and emotional:
- Constant worry
- Fear of losing control or something bad happening
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep problems
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Behavioral:
- Avoidance of certain situations (places, people, activities)
- Increased checking or controlling behaviors
- Hypervigilance
Cada persona puede experimentar la ansiedad de forma distinta. Por eso, es importante escuchar lo que el cuerpo y la mente nos están diciendo.
Common causes of anxiety
Anxiety can have many causes. Some of the most common are:
- Prolonged stress (work, family, financial, etc.)
Traumatic or difficult past experiences
Biological or genetic factors
More rigid or demanding thinking styles
Self-esteem issues or insecurity
Major life changes (moving, bereavement, breakups, etc.)
Anxiety doesn’t always have a single cause. Sometimes it develops from a combination of factors, which is why the approach must be individualized.
When to seek professional help?
You don’t have to wait until you’re “in bad shape” to ask for help. The sooner we intervene, the easier it will be to regain balance. Seek support if:
- You feel like anxiety is interfering with your daily life.
- You’ve tried to manage it on your own and aren’t getting better.
- You’re tired of always feeling on edge.
- You’d like to better understand what’s happening to you and learn how to manage it.
How do we work on anxiety at Mind from Home?
In our online consultation we offer a comprehensive approach:
- Psychotherapy: To help you identify the patterns that sustain anxiety, learn to regulate it, and improve your relationship with yourself.
- Psychiatry: If pharmacological support is necessary, always consider it carefully and individually.
Plus, because it’s online, you can access it from anywhere with privacy, convenience, and without having to travel.
A final message: anxiety is treatable
Anxiety doesn’t define who you are. It’s a sign that something needs attention, not a failure on your part. With the right support, it’s possible to understand what’s happening to you, regain calm, and feel like yourself again.
If you want to take the first step, we’re here to support you. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you’d like to know more.