When Does Anxiety Warrant Professional Help?

Occasionally feeling anxious is a normal part of being human; it’s how our bodies naturally react to danger, stress, or uncertainty. But when anxiety seems to infiltrate every corner of your life, simple worries can turn into debilitating fears.

Navigating the complexities of an anxiety disorder can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already struggling. At Free Range Mental Health, psychiatric nurse practitioner Dan Watts, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, offers a compassionate, evidence-based approach to help you reclaim control over your life.

Anxiety is a common mental health condition, and seeking medical care is a sign of strength, not weakness. Take a moment to learn more about anxiety, and find out when your worries may warrant professional help.

Understanding anxiety

While normal feelings of anxiety may come and go, anxiety disorders involve intense, persistent, and often uncontrollable worry, fear, and unease. These thoughts and emotions can overshadow your enjoyment of daily life, impacting your relationships, work, and overall wellness.

When anxiety becomes a disorder, it can manifest in a variety of ways, including:

• Excessive worry, often about everyday things
• Racing thoughts
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Physical symptoms, like a rapid heartbeat, digestive upset, difficulty sleeping, or sweating
• Avoidant behaviors, such as self-isolation, procrastination, or even substance abuse

Anxiety disorders affect everyone differently. For instance, some people may experience intense fear or worry related to specific situations, like social gatherings or crowded spaces. 

Those with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) often have a wide range of anxiety triggers, from work deadlines to seemingly minor inconveniences.

Finding relief from anxiety disorders

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only around 1 in 4 people suffering from anxiety gets the professional care they need. If anxiety is keeping you from living the life you deserve, we can help you to:

Understand your anxiety on a deeper level

By identifying triggers, patterns, and the underlying causes of your anxiety, you gain valuable insight into your condition.

Develop effective coping strategies

Dan teaches you effective coping strategies, such as relaxation exercises, mindfulness practices, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, to challenge negative thought patterns and develop healthier ways of thinking. 

These tools help you manage anxiety symptoms in the moment and reduce their impact on your life.

Improve communication and interpersonal skills

Anxiety often makes interpersonal relationships more difficult. With the techniques you learn in therapy, you can improve your communication skills; build stronger, more fulfilling relationships; and navigate challenging social situations with greater ease and confidence. 

Explore medication management options

After assessing your individual needs, Dan may recommend medication as part of your personalized treatment plan. This might include selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or other medications that reduce anxiety symptoms. 

A combination of therapy and medication management is often the most effective approach to managing anxiety disorders.

Don’t let anxiety hold you back any longer. It’s time to discover what your life could look like without the constant worry. Call to schedule an appointment at Free Range Mental Health in Northfield, Minnesota, or book online today, and start your journey toward a more peaceful and fulfilling life.