Anxiety and Stress: Recognizing When to Seek Help
Learn how anxiety can affect daily life, what support may be available, and when urgent help is needed.
Feeling anxious at times is part of life. Ongoing or intense worry that is difficult to manage and interferes with daily activities may benefit from professional assessment.
Anxiety can affect thoughts, feelings, sleep, concentration, and the body. Similar symptoms can also have physical causes, so a healthcare professional may ask about your health, medicines, and what you have been experiencing.
Support may include talking therapies, practical coping strategies, or medicines, depending on the person and the assessment. A clinician may also recommend a mental-health professional or another service.
If you may harm yourself or someone else, or cannot keep yourself safe, seek urgent help now through local emergency services or an appropriate healthcare facility.
Small steps can support a treatment plan
Regular sleep, manageable activity and reducing excess caffeine or alcohol may help alongside professional support. Describe how worry affects work, relationships and daily tasks, and tell the clinician about panic symptoms or avoidance. A South African GP, psychologist or mental-health service can help you explore suitable care. New chest pain, collapse or severe breathing difficulty should not be assumed to be anxiety and needs urgent assessment.
Key Takeaways
- Anxiety can affect both emotional and physical wellbeing.
- Persistent anxiety that disrupts daily life may benefit from assessment.
- Support options depend on individual needs.
- Immediate safety concerns require urgent help.
Sources & further reading
General health information; speak with a qualified healthcare professional for advice about your own care.