When Do Anxiety and Depression Require Professional Help?

While it’s normal to feel anxious or down occasionally, how do you know when these feelings reach a level that requires professional help? 

As many as 31% of U.S. adults experience an anxiety disorder, and 8.3% of people have a major depressive episode in their lives. These are very real psychiatric disorders that deserve support and attention.

Here at My Psych Health LLC, we want to help you recognize the signs of anxiety and depression. It’s also important to realize when these conditions may require professional support to help you regain control of your mental health.

Take a moment as we explain when it’s time to reach out for assistance in managing anxiety and depression.

When everyday stress becomes persistent anxiety

Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but when it becomes overwhelming or constant, it may be time to seek help. If you find yourself excessively worrying about things that don’t typically cause other people concern, or you’re stressing over worst-case scenarios, it could be more than typical anxiety.

Unexplained headaches, fatigue, muscle tension, or digestive problems can all be physical manifestations of chronic anxiety. Panic attacks that include sweating, heart palpitations, and other physical reactions also indicate serious levels of anxiety.

If anxiety is causing you to avoid certain places, people, or situations, it’s likely affecting your life in ways that need to be addressed. Ongoing difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restful sleep can be a sign that anxiety is disrupting your well-being.

When depression is more than a case of the blues

It’s not uncommon to feel sad or low from time to time, but depression involves a persistent feeling of hopelessness or lack of motivation that doesn’t go away. If activities you once enjoyed no longer bring pleasure or motivation, this could be a sign of clinical depression.

Significant changes in your appetite, either eating too much or too little, can indicate depression. Feeling tired all the time, even after resting, and feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or worthlessness that last for more than two weeks are signs that it’s time to seek help.

Also know that you should take seriously any thoughts of harming yourself or others and seek professional support immediately.

Seeking telehealth support for anxiety and depression

Reaching out for professional help doesn’t have to add to your sense of overwhelm. In fact, it doesn’t even mean leaving home. Telehealth psychiatric services offer a convenient, private, and effective way to connect with mental health professionals. 

Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or both, our virtual therapy sessions provide the support, tools, and strategies you need to manage your mental health effectively.

Don’t wait to seek help

Get help before things feel unbearable. When you notice that anxiety and/or depression is affecting your relationships, your work, and your quality of life, we’re here to help. Our professional support is available through telehealth services, providing accessible, compassionate care when you need it most. 

If you’re unsure whether your symptoms require intervention, reach out today for a consultation — you don’t have to navigate anxiety or depression on your own. Call My Psych Health LLC, which is serving patients in Arkansas and Oklahoma, or use the online tool to schedule.