<< Back

4 Signs It’s Time to See an Expert for Anxiety

April 04, 2025

We all know that some anxiety in life is unavoidable. But at a certain point, it can get out of control — and you may need help reining it in. When is it time to see an expert for anxiety?

Here are some clues.

Big picture: Is anxiety keeping you from living — or enjoying — your life?

“Anxiety is a normal human emotion. Everybody experiences it from time to time,” says David Tolin, PhD, medical director of the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Institute of Living. “To determine if someone actually needs treatment, I look for two key elements: impairment and misery.”

Impairment is when anxiety prevents you from doing the things you want or need to do. Misery is when you’re doing what you need to, but still feel terrible.

Everyone experiences these challenges a bit differently, but there tend to be common themes.

To be specific: It’s time to see an expert for anxiety when…

1. You can’t stop worrying.

It’s one thing to fret about that big work deadline or the general state of the world. It’s another thing to lay awake at night imagining all the worst-case scenarios.

“Worry itself is not necessarily a bad thing. We all do it. Sometimes it’s a good thing,” says Dr. Tolin. “However, when worrying becomes persistent and overwhelming, it may be time to seek support.”

> Related: 9 Physical Symptoms Caused by Anxiety

2. You have difficulty concentrating.

You sit down to read a good book, but can’t get past the first page. When your partner tries to tell you about their day, your racing thoughts drown out half of what they’re saying.

“Many people find they’re not concentrating very well at work or at home, because they’re thinking anxious thoughts,” says Dr. Tolin. “They may struggle to focus on conversations and tasks at hand because their minds are occupied with worry.”

3. You’re avoiding certain situations.

“For instance, a person with social anxiety might avoid interacting with others. Or someone who fears having a heart attack might avoid crowded public places, because they worry they won’t be able to get out,” says Dr. Tolin.

This could also be something less obvious — like never applying for that dream job because you’re afraid of failure. The point is, in one way or another, your anxiety is holding you back.

4. Anxiety is hurting your quality of life.

Perhaps you never miss a deadline, dutifully show up to every social obligation, and on the outside, are the picture of personal and professional success. If you’re not actually enjoying yourself, though, it’s worth seeing an expert for anxiety.

“Some people function just fine, but they’re terribly unhappy due to persistent anxiety,” says Dr. Tolin. “The message I’d like to get across is that you don’t have to keep suffering. There are solutions available.”

> Want more health news? Text StartHere to 85209 to sign up for text alerts

What happens when you see an expert for anxiety?

For all the aggravation it causes, anxiety has an upside: It’s highly treatable. Talking with a therapist, trying medication, or building calming habits like mindfulness can all make a big difference.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a favorite approach among experts. This brief form of counseling helps you identify your triggers, then learn how to confront them differently.

“With CBT, we can get very effective reduction of anxiety in just a few sessions,” says Dr. Tolin. “It’s not overnight, but it tends to be measured in months rather than years.”

With a little support, you’ll learn how to keep anxiety in its rightful place — at times inevitable, but never overwhelming.