When Should I See a Psychiatrist for Anxiety?

You should see a psychiatrist for anxiety if your worry, physical symptoms or avoidance last more than a few weeks and start affecting your daily life, relationships, or sleep. Every person experiences anxiety at some point in life. The pounding heartbeat before an exam, sweaty palms before a presentation or stomach knotting before boarding an aircraft are part of your body’s normal alarm response. However, millions of people never get past the point where the alarm sounds even when things should be normal – such as a quiet evening at home, work meetings or when sleeping.

If you have been wondering whether your symptoms are just due to anxiety or something else, then the fact that you asked that question might just be the red flag you need. Here, I discuss the signs that would make it necessary to visit a psychiatrist, how anxiety disorders are diagnosed, and what actually occurs during the visit.

What Are the Warning Signs You Should See a Psychiatrist for Anxiety?

• When your anxiety begins to rule you rather than protecting you, then this disorder has reached the medical level. Here are some of the most typical symptoms which tell you it is the time to seek help rather than waiting for the situation to resolve by itself.
• Non-stop worrying. You begin to worry about things even when this is not required in a particular situation. It does not matter what your relatives or friends say – nothing can stop you.
• Physical symptoms without any reason. You constantly visit your physician and he finds no reason for chest pain, breathing difficulties, dizziness or other digestive disorders.
• Sleep problems. Since you can’t stop thinking and worrying, you have trouble falling or staying asleep.
• Avoidance. Panophobia leads to fear and avoidance of social situations, work obligations, traveling and so on, as these future anticipations cause the person too much dread.
• Agitated, on edge. Minor irritants unleash gross outbursts of rage, and you are always “edged,” like something bad is about to happen. 
• Panic attacks. Episodes of sudden and intense fear accompanied by palpitations, sweating, shaking or a sense of loss of control, occurring suddenly without any clear cause.
• Difficulty concentrating. Your thoughts switch around from worry to worry so much that you have difficulty concentrating on your work, your studies or the conversation.
• Your condition is impacting your relationships or your performance. The people around you have begun noticing a change in your mood or behavior.

One good test of whether your symptoms amount to an anxiety disorder or stress is how long they last and their impact. Temporary worries go away after the trigger disappears. But anxiety persists for weeks, appears even in the absence of a clear trigger, and impairs your daily life.

If it seems like more than two of the points listed on the right-hand side are recognizable to you, then it is definitely time to make an appointment to talk about your situation.

How Do Psychiatrists Diagnose Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety is never diagnosed by any specific blood test or imaging investigation. Anxiety diagnosis is a clinical diagnosis based on communication, observations and sometimes investigations to exclude other possible causes.

1. Detailed clinical history Your psychiatrist would be interested in the onset of your symptoms, frequency, causative factors, impact of symptoms on your job, sleep pattern, interpersonal interactions, and overall functioning. This would include questions not only about physical symptoms but about your thought processes too.
2. Psychological rating scales There are standard psychological tests, which allow you to evaluate the extent of your symptoms and their improvement during further visits. You need to fill in some forms, nothing invasive.
3. Exclusion of medical causes Hyperthyroidism, vitamin B12 or D deficiency, anemia and even caffeine excess can present with anxiety-like symptoms. Your psychiatrist would probably suggest having a simple blood test.
4. Recognizing the specific type of anxiety disorder “Anxiety” does not mean just one thing. There are a number of different types of anxiety disorders, such as generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, health anxiety and the anxiety that can be experienced in depression. Which of these apply for you will be determined by your psychiatrist as the methods of treatment differ.
5. Screen for comorbid diseases Anxiety is commonly associated with depression, insomnia, and substance abuse. A good diagnosis requires a look at the whole person, not just the problem that brought him or her in.

This is the reason why a self-diagnosis based on information you found online may be inadequate: Two patients with completely different problems may have similar symptoms.

What Happens in a Psychiatric Consultation

A lot of folks delay going to a psychiatrist simply because they don’t know what to expect. Knowing the process ahead of time can make that first step seem a lot less scary. 

A few points worth knowing beforehand:

• It is a dialogue, not an inquiry. The amount of detail that you reveal is completely up to you, and no good psychiatrist would rush you.
• Prescription drugs aren’t always needed. Many people with mild to moderate mental illnesses can be successfully treated without medication; only in case of moderate to severe symptoms or significant disruption to daily life would medication be considered.
• Your conversation remains confidential. Whatever you say remains confidential between you and your doctor, unless there are issues of imminent danger involved.
• The first visit involves getting to know each other. The real treatment begins after several subsequent sessions during which the psychiatrist adjusts the therapy according to your response.
• You have every right to ask questions. You may question your diagnosis, the rationale behind the treatment strategy, side effects of medications, etc.

Final Thoughts

Anxiety which persists, worsens, or begins making your world smaller should not be fought alone. It is better to seek help early on when dealing with anxiety disorders as it becomes easier to handle; sometimes just a few changes in lifestyle and therapy is enough without resorting to medication for an extended period of time. And if the aforementioned symptoms feel like yours, then that is the sign you should seek the help of a professional psychiatrist immediately.

Dr. Deeptanshu Agarwal provides you with a calm and unbiased environment where you can share what’s bothering you, find an accurate diagnosis, and receive a treatment plan which is unique to you personally. If you were asking yourself if it was “the time yet” to do that, the answer is there. Schedule an appointment and begin feeling like yourself again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a psychiatrist even if I’m not sure I have an anxiety disorder?

Yes. One does not require a confirmed diagnosis to make an appointment. People walk in because there’s just “something” wrong with them and they just need to know the situation.

Is anxiety treatable without lifelong medication?

Absolutely. Anxiety at the mild to moderate levels can be very well-managed with therapy and other techniques. Drug use should not be for too long, if at all needed. 

How long does it take to see improvement after starting treatment?

It is likely that some individuals will be able to realize the difference in two weeks using the therapy approach and changes in their lifestyles, but where medication is included, it will take about four to six weeks.

What’s the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist for anxiety?

Psychiatry is a medical specialty that entails treating disorders with medication, while psychology entails treating disorders via counseling with the patient. The two can be extremely effective when used together in addressing disorders such as anxiety.