Hey, Shamash here. A question someone's asking is, when is the right time to seek professional help when experiencing anxiety? Feeling overwhelmed with anxiety is so hard. And for many, they're not sure if and when to seek out professional advice. Simple answer is if your fears, worries, or attacks of fear or panic are causing you high levels of distress or disrupting your everyday activities, it's time to seek out professional help. The good news is there are some great ways professionals can help you in a relatively short period of time.

Considering getting professional help is a sign of courage and resilience. It shows you're willing to learn from someone who's probably helped hundreds of people going through feelings of anxiety, just like you. Don't think of seeking professional help as a weakness. Finding help is a sign you're willing to learn something new. And that's always a sign of great strength and very good for your overall wellbeing.

If you're experiencing lots of physical symptoms, first, you'll need a medical checkup with your doctor. They can check that your anxiety isn't being caused by some kind of medical issue, like a asthma or thyroid problem, for example. And some drugs and supplements can also cause anxiety. So your health professional will need to know what you're currently taking to check that's not the cause. If your doctor finds it's not a medical issue that's causing the anxiety, they may refer you on to therapist, or you can then seek out a therapist who will be able to help you to effectively manage the challenge that you're currently facing.

The current therapies available are very effective for anxiety and you'll feel the benefits within just a month or two. The specific treatment you'll be offered, will depend on the type of anxiety you're going through and its severity. If you're seeking mindful therapies that focus on behavior change rather than going through your psychological issues from the past, then you may be recommended mindfulness based cognitive therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy. Other approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy. As you work with your therapist to face your fears safely, you will grow in confidence and your anxieties will take a back seat as you learn to focus on moving your life in a direction that feels most meaningful for you.

So thanks so much for listening in. I wish you all the very best as you work through your anxieties and the other challenges that you may be experiencing. I want to finish with a gentle reminder for you to be kind and friendly to yourself as best you can.