COVID-19: How Do I Know if I Need to Talk to Somebody About my Anxiety?

Your anxiety levels may be naturally elevated during this turbulent and uncertain moment in time. One question that may be coming up for you is how do I know if I need to talk to someone, or is this anxiety “normal”? 

To answer this question I think it is important to acknowledge that there is no black or white answer; when it comes down to it, there really is no such thing as normal.

Everyone has a certain level of anxiety that they typically experience on a regular basis and a different level when faced with a crisis or trauma. It is less important to focus on how your anxiety level compares to others, and more important to focus on your individual experience. 

Many people who have not engaged in therapy find themselves wondering if this is the right moment for them to reach out. For those who are looking for a little clarity, I have created an activity below that intends to provide you with some direction.

Are you experiencing any of the following symptoms? If so, specify the intensity into the following categories:

A. Not at all  B. More than usual C. Very much so

-Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

-Obsessive thoughts about catching germs or getting Coronavirus

-Hypervigilance around bodily sensations like sneezing or coughing 

-Excessive worrying that is impacting your ability to complete tasks 

-Worrying about "what ifs" and worst-case scenarios

-Feeling disinterested in things you normally enjoy

-Increased anxiety, fatigue, hopelessness, sadness, or anger

-Triggered anxiety or depression for those who have a history of either

If you ranked any of these symptoms into category B or C, you may want to consider talking to a mental health professional. There are many tools that providers use that will help you through this difficult period of time.

There is no right or wrong time to begin your therapy journey. If you are interested in learning more about therapy please see my blog post here. 

For the full feature in Cosmopolitan magazine click here.