Recognising the Symptoms of Anxiety: and When to Seek Help

Everyone experiences stress or worry from time to time. But when these feelings become persistent, overwhelming, or start interfering with your daily life, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder. Recognising the symptoms early and seeking the right support is essential to managing your mental health effectively, especially when help is just a click away through a telehealth psychiatrist at Altitude Mind Clinic.

In this blog, we’ll explore the most common anxiety symptoms, how it differs from everyday stress, and when it’s time to speak with a psychiatrist for adults about your mental health.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or nervous. It’s a recognised mental health condition that can impact many areas of your life and is characterised by excessive worry, nervousness, and fear. It’s your body’s natural response to perceived danger. But when that response is triggered too often or too intensely, it can become debilitating.

There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:

  • Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
  • Social anxiety disorder
  • Panic disorder
  • Health anxiety
  • Phobias

Each type of anxiety has different triggers and presentations, which is why personalised support from a qualified anxiety psychiatrist is important.

At Altitude Mind Clinic, we help adults across Australia identify and manage anxiety through compassionate, confidential telehealth care. Our tailored approach ensures you receive the most effective anxiety treatment available, no matter which anxiety disorder you suffer from.

Common Anxiety Symptoms in Adults

Anxiety can affect your thoughts, emotions, body, and behaviour. Anxiety symptoms may vary from person to person, but common ones include:

Emotional and Cognitive Anxiety Symptoms

  • Constant worrying or overthinking
  • Feeling restless or “on edge”
  • Racing thoughts or catastrophising
  • Sudden panic attacks

Physical Anxiety Symptoms

  • Muscle tension or headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Rapid heartbeat or chest tightness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating or trembling
  • Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
  • Gastrointestinal issues (e.g., nausea or diarrhoea)

Behavioural Anxiety Symptoms

  • Avoiding certain places or situations
  • Irritability or impatience
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Procrastinating or being overly cautious
  • Seeking excessive reassurance from others
  • Withdrawing from social activities

If you’re experiencing a combination of these symptoms regularly, it may indicate an underlying anxiety disorder. Consult with an experienced anxiety psychiatrist for a proper assessment and support plan.

Understanding Anxiety Causes

Anxiety often arises from a combination of factors, including biological, environmental, and psychological influences. Understanding the underlying causes can help guide effective anxiety treatment. Common anxiety causes include:

  • Biological: Genetics, imbalances in brain chemicals, and chronic medical conditions can all contribute to anxiety.
  • Environmental: Past trauma, ongoing stress, major life transitions, workplace or academic pressure, and adverse childhood experiences often play a part in developing anxiety symptoms.
  • Psychological: Certain personality traits (e.g., perfectionism, low self-esteem, or difficulty coping with stress) can increase a person’s vulnerability to anxiety.

Caffeine, alcohol, recreational drugs, and even some prescribed medications can either worsen or trigger anxiety symptoms in certain people.

Anxiety or Something Else?

Anxiety can often co-exist with or mimic other conditions, such as:

  • ADHD in Adults: Trouble concentrating, restlessness, and irritability are symptoms shared with ADHD. Many patients are misdiagnosed or receive partial treatment because one condition is overlooked.
  • Depression: Persistent low mood, hopelessness, or loss of interest often occur alongside anxiety.
  • PTSD: If your anxiety is linked to past trauma, you may require treatment from a specialist PTSD psychiatrist.

This is why it’s essential to work with a qualified psychiatrist for adults who can consider your full mental health picture and provide integrated care. Comprehensive assessments ensure nothing is missed and the right anxiety treatment is delivered from the outset.

When Should You Seek Help?

It’s normal to feel anxious before a big event, during life transitions, or in stressful environments. However, it’s time to seek help when:

  • Anxiety interferes with your work, relationships, or daily activities
  • You’re avoiding certain tasks or places due to fear
  • Physical anxiety symptoms like heart palpitations, tension, or insomnia become chronic
  • You feel out of control, panicky, or overwhelmed most days
  • You’ve tried self-help strategies with little improvement

Even if your symptoms seem mild, seeking early support can prevent your condition from worsening and improve your quality of life. An anxiety psychiatrist can provide tailored treatment to help you regain control.

How a Psychiatrist Can Help

A telehealth psychiatrist at Altitude Mind Clinic can assess your anxiety symptoms and provide a personalised treatment plan. This may include:

  • A formal diagnosis of your condition
  • Evidence-based medication options (if needed)
  • Therapy referrals, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
  • Lifestyle and self-care strategies for managing stress and triggers
  • Ongoing check-ins and medication reviews—all conducted via secure online sessions

If your anxiety co-exists with other conditions like ADHD, depression, or trauma, your psychiatrist will tailor your treatment to address all contributing factors.

The Benefits of Telehealth for Anxiety

Seeking help for anxiety can feel daunting, but telehealth psychiatry makes it easier, more convenient, and more private.

At Altitude Mind Clinic, we offer:

  • Flexible appointments from your home or workplace
  • Experienced psychiatrists
  • Quick access to care (no long waitlists)
  • Support for patients across urban, regional, and remote areas
  • Compassionate care from experts like Dr Ravinder Sohal

Whether you’re beginning to experience anxiety symptoms or have been managing them for years, our telehealth model ensures you receive timely and expert care, wherever you are in Brisbane and across Australia.

You’re Not Alone

Anxiety affects nearly one in four Australians at some point in their lives. It’s a valid medical condition, not a sign of weakness. The sooner you seek support, the sooner you can start to feel more calm, clear-headed, and in control.

If anxiety is affecting your life, don’t wait. Book a confidential consultation with an anxiety psychiatrist at Altitude Mind Clinic and take the first step towards peace of mind.

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