Understanding Anxiety: Signs, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help
Anxiety is a natural human response to stress or perceived threats. In small doses, it can sharpen focus and motivate action. However, when anxiety becomes overwhelming, persistent, or interferes with daily life, it crosses into the territory of an anxiety disorder. At Bloom Psychotherapy, we’re committed to helping you recognize the warning signs of anxiety and guiding you toward effective, compassionate care.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is more than occasional worry or stress. It’s a heightened state of alertness—often accompanied by physical sensations—that can affect your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. When it becomes chronic or debilitating, professional support can make all the difference.
Common Anxiety Symptoms
1. Physical Symptoms
- Rapid Heartbeat or Palpitations
- Shortness of Breath or Tightness in the Chest
- Sweating, Trembling, or Shaking
- Muscle Tension (commonly in shoulders, neck, or jaw)
- Gastrointestinal Upset (nausea, diarrhea, or “butterflies”)
- Headaches or Dizziness
These bodily responses reflect your “fight‑or‑flight” system kicking in—even when no real danger is present.
2. Emotional Symptoms
- Excessive Worry or Fear: Feeling on edge or overwhelmed by “what‑if” scenarios.
- Irritability or Restlessness: Finding it hard to relax or feeling easily agitated.
- Sense of Impending Doom: Persistent feelings that something bad is about to happen.
- Frequent Mood Swings: Emotional highs and lows triggered by minor stressors.
Emotional symptoms often color your experience of daily life, making routine tasks feel daunting.
3. Cognitive Symptoms
- Racing Thoughts: Inability to “turn off” self‑talk or mental chatter.
- Difficulty Concentrating: Feeling mentally “foggy” or distracted.
- Overthinking Decisions: Paralysis by analysis, even for simple choices.
- Catastrophic Thinking: Jumping to the worst possible conclusion.
These cognitive patterns feed the cycle of anxiety—thinking about worry often leads to more worry.
When to Seek Help
It’s not always easy to know when anxiety has crossed the line from “manageable” to “needs intervention.” Consider scheduling an appointment at Bloom Psychotherapy if you notice:
- Interference with Daily Life
• Skipping work or social events due to fear or panic
• Strained relationships because you’re easily irritable or withdrawn - Persistent, Unrelenting Worry
• Anxiety that lasts most days for six months or more
• Excessive worry you can’t control, despite your best efforts - Physical Distress
• Panic attacks—sudden, intense surges of fear accompanied by physical symptoms
• Chronic headaches, stomach issues, or muscle pain with no other medical cause - Avoidance Behaviors
• Steering clear of situations or places that trigger anxiety
• Relying on alcohol, food, or other coping mechanisms to “numb” your feelings - Impact on Mental Health
• Thoughts of hopelessness, worthlessness, or self-harm
• Co‑occurring depression, obsessive thoughts, or other mood disturbances
If any of these resonate, you don’t have to face anxiety alone.
Don’t let anxiety dictate your life story. With the right tools and support at Bloom Psychotherapy, you can cultivate resilience, restore balance, and flourish.
If you would like to talk more about how anxiety counseling can align with your needs and goals, call or text 480.378.7341 or email [email protected] to set up a free, 15-minute consultation with a licensed therapist today.