When Does Anxiety Become a Problem?

Feeling anxious doesn’t necessarily mean that something is wrong.

Anxiety is something most of us experience. It can appear before an important meeting, when something changes in our lives, when money is tight, when relationships are difficult, or sometimes when we simply have too much going on.

But there can come a point where anxiety stops being an occasional feeling and starts taking up far more space in your life.

And that point isn’t always easy to recognise.

““Maybe I’m just overthinking it””

One of the things I often notice is how easy it can be to minimise what we’re going through.

You might tell yourself that other people have it worse. That you should be able to cope. That you’re just stressed. That things will settle down eventually.

Sometimes they do.

But sometimes we become so used to feeling anxious that it starts to feel normal.

You might wake up already thinking about everything that could go wrong. Find it difficult to switch off at night. Replay conversations in your head. Avoid situations because they make you uncomfortable. Constantly seek reassurance from the people around you.

You may even struggle to explain what you’re anxious about.

Anxiety doesn’t always arrive with one obvious cause.

Anxiety can show up in different ways

We often think of anxiety as worrying, but it can affect much more than our thoughts.

You might notice that you’re more irritable than usual. You might struggle to concentrate, feel restless, have difficulty sleeping or find yourself unable to relax.

Anxiety can also feel very physical.

Some people notice their heart beating faster, feel shaky or light-headed, experience breathlessness, headaches, nausea or tension in their body. These are among the symptoms recognised in NHS guidance on anxiety. NHS

For others, the biggest change is in their behaviour.

You might start avoiding certain situations, cancelling plans, withdrawing from people or finding reasons not to do things that once felt manageable.

It can happen gradually, which is why it can be difficult to notice just how much your world has changed.

So when does anxiety become a problem?

There isn’t a single line that you cross.

For me, a useful question is:

How much is anxiety affecting the way you want to live your life?

BACP describes anxiety as something that can become problematic when it is excessive, persistent and begins interfering with everyday life. BACP

Perhaps it's affecting your relationships.

Maybe you're struggling at work because you can't concentrate.

Perhaps you're avoiding things you would actually like to do.

Maybe you're exhausted from constantly thinking.

Or perhaps everything looks fine from the outside, but internally you feel as though you're always on edge.

You don't have to wait for anxiety to become unbearable before you talk about it.

“But I don't know why I feel like this”

That's okay too.

People sometimes feel they need to understand the cause of their anxiety before coming to counselling.

You don't.

There may be something very clear behind it. Work pressure, relationship difficulties, grief, health worries, financial concerns or a difficult experience from the past can all contribute to anxiety. NHS

But sometimes the answer isn't immediately obvious.

Part of counselling can simply be having the space to slow things down and begin exploring what is happening for you.

What can counselling do for anxiety?

I don't see counselling as somebody sitting opposite you and telling you how to fix your life.

My role is to give you somewhere you can talk openly about what you're experiencing without feeling judged.

Together, we can begin to explore your anxiety, what might be sitting underneath it and the impact it's having on your life.

Sometimes just saying things out loud that you've been carrying around internally can feel significant.

Over time, counselling can help you develop a better understanding of yourself and your feelings, and begin finding a way forward that feels right for you.

You don't have to reach a breaking point

This is probably the most important thing I'd like you to take from this article.

You are allowed to ask for support before things become unbearable.

You don't need a diagnosis.

You don't need to know exactly what's wrong.

And you don't need to arrive at counselling knowing exactly what you want to say.

If anxiety is beginning to take up more of your life than you'd like, talking to someone can be a good place to start.

At PitStop Counselling, I offer a confidential, non-judgemental space where you can slow things down and talk about what's really going on.

If you'd like to find out more about working together, you're welcome to get in touch.