Anxiety That Won’t Let Up? When to Seek Help from a Psychiatrist

Constant fear and worry are challenging to manage – anxiety causes both. Though normal anxiety fades, anxiety disorders linger long after the stressor is gone.

If you find your anxiety is taking over daily life, reaching out to a professional is important. At Pacific Phoenix Psychiatry & TMS, Dr. Elia R. Gonzalez-Rodriguez provides specialized care for anxiety disorders, PTSD, and depression.

She’s an experienced and compassionate psychiatrist offering medication management, TMS therapy, and psychotherapy, each designed to reduce symptoms, restore day-to-day functioning, and improve your overall quality of life.

Signs anxiety is out of control

Anxiety is a prevalent mental health issue that causes intense fear and worry over things that shouldn’t. Everyone has some anxiety before a big speech, first date, or first day of work, but it subsides.

People with anxiety disorders experience symptoms that persist for months or years. If your anxiety isn’t improving, it may be time to see a specialist.

Signs and symptoms of anxiety vary, but if you have any of the following, you should seek professional care:

• Consistently feeling on edge
• Trouble concentrating
• Frequent brain fog
• Frequent sense of impending doom
• Fear of losing control
• Always thinking the worst case scenario
• Constant irritability
• Avoiding or fearing anxiety triggers

Anxiety also manifests itself physically with symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, and heart palpitations. People experiencing panic attacks have significant anxiety that manifests through severe fear and physical symptoms.

When to seek help from a psychiatrist

It’s okay to have some anxiety. Without it, we would go into dangerous situations without thinking of the consequences. However, too much anxiety has the ability to interfere with your life.

A psychiatrist is a great place to start when getting treatment. You may consider going this route if you have any of the following:

• Severe or persistent symptoms
• Symptoms interfere with daily functions
• Turning to drugs or alcohol for relief
• Loss of interest in normal activities
• Avoiding things that cause anxiety
• Frequent panic attacks
• Extreme reactions to mild stimuli

Bothersome symptoms paired with the inability to function without intense fear are good indicators that your anxiety needs professional management.

What to expect from professional treatment

At your first appointment, we evaluate anxiety by asking about past and current symptoms. We also discuss what could be the common triggers to your anxiety. From there, we develop a plan that may include any of the following:

Medication management

Medication is one way to manage chronic anxiety, helping to decrease symptoms and improve your ability to function day-to-day. There are various medications that control short-term symptoms and the long-term problem. It may take a few tries to find the best medication for your needs.

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy, or psychotherapy, is a key component of anxiety treatment. It helps you identify anxiety causes, change negative thought patterns, and develop lasting skills to manage unnecessary fear and achieve better mental well-being.

Various forms of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, are helpful for anxiety. We usually pair CBT with medication for the best results.

Don't let anxiety control your life any longer—take the first step toward relief. Contact our team now to schedule your appointment or request a consultation online. 

We are dedicated to supporting you on your path to renewed mental wellness and proudly serve the greater Portland area, including Salmon Creek, Vancouver, and Steilacoom-Lakewood, Washington.